Good news! Childhood obesity rates declining in NYC

Good news! Childhood obesity rates declining in NYC

One of our favorites Marion Nestle has posted about obesity rates declining in NYC kids. Great news - can we make that happen here? Maybe, if we borrow some of their great ideas - and their activism.

Growing our own

Our school is considering putting in a vegetable garden to supplement the food supply to our cafeteria. What a a great experience for our kids and what a fantastic opportunity to connect kids to the dirt that their food comes from.

Nourish: Food+Community is a great resource to kick-start the conversation. Here is the link to the curriculum that they offer: http://www.nourishlife.org/teach/curriculum/ 

Here is Butterbean cultivating tomato seeds in egg cartons last February.

The Dentists Get on Board

The Indiana Dental Association is adding their voice to the discussion against giving kids sugary drinks. Check out their campaign to eliminate sugary drinks from children's diets at www.drinksdestroyteeth.com.

This should get someone's attention...
"Overconsumption of sugar-laden, acidic drinks, such as boxed juice, sport drinks and soft drinks, is reversing more than 50 years of public health gains realized through preventive measures like fluoridated water and dental sealants."

Yale Speaks on Surgary Drinks

One of our favorite sources of information, the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity has released a new report on sugary drinks and their marketing to children. My favorite quote:

"Sugary drink companies speak to children early, often, and when parents are not looking. Sugary drinks are the most unhealthy food product marketed to children and are relentlessly and aggressively targeted toward them. Food marketing to children negatively influences the dietary choices and the health of society's most vulnerable citizens. Given the childhood obesity epidemic at hand, we need meaningful solutions and real change. We're here to give you the FACTS."

Here is the link-http://www.sugarydrinkfacts.org/

A slight change of direction

I am gathering so many sources of information in this quest to improve the food culture at Butterbean's school that I am going to begin posting them here. Hopefully we can start to track our progress. Here goes change!