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New Legislation Takes Aim At Childhood Obesity

HB 733/SB 162, Wellness Policy Help Schools Meet Federal Guidelines

SPRINGFIELD, April 7, 2005 – New proposed legislation and a model policy designed to help schools tackle the serious problem of childhood obesity are being unveiled at a press conference today in the State Capitol.

The bills being discussed are HB 733, proposed by Representative William Delgado
(D – 3rd District) and SB 162, proposed by Senator Mattie Hunter (D – 3rd District). Both bills concern school wellness, specifically, nutritional standards for school food and physical activity related to new federal mandates for school districts participating in the national School Lunch Program that take effect July 1, 2006.

The bills seek to combat the alarming rise in childhood obesity, which is linked with the consumption of nutrient-poor fast food and decreased physical activity. They direct the Illinois State Board of Education and the Department of Health to develop model wellness policies and distribute them to all Illinois schools. They also call for a state taskforce to make long-term recommendations on nutrition standards and evaluate the impact of these new policies on students’ health.

Also hosting the press conference is the non-profit advocacy group, the Healthy Schools Campaign, recognized as a leading authority on healthy school environments. The Healthy Schools Campaign is providing Illinois schools with a model Wellness Policy developed by the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, which is based on the CDC recommendations and endorsed by more than 50 organizations. An implementation kit consisting of a school wellness index, a copy of the Federal law and a “how-to” guide will also be provided.

The new federal mandate will require schools to establish a Wellness Policy that includes:

1. nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on school campus during the school day;
2. setting school goals for nutrition education and physical activity;
3. establishing community participation in creating local wellness policies; and
4. creating a plan for measuring implementation of these wellness policies.

“Childhood obesity is growing rapidly, and this trend cannot be allowed to continue,” said Rochelle Davis, Founding Director of Healthy Schools Campaign. “The health implications for our children are dire. To allow this unhealthy situation to continue would be to act without regard for the next generation.”

Schools A Key Setting for Positive Nutrition, Physical Activity

Schools are a natural ally in the battle against obesity. Because of the number of hours students spend within their walls each day, schools are very important settings for establishing healthy habits for life. Schools can provide healthy meal choices that are far better alternatives to the high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt “competitive” foods such as soda, fast food and baked goods readily available at most schools. When students consume less desirable choices, they often bypass fruits, vegetables, milk and other nutrient-rich offerings. In fact, many students eat no fruit daily and very few vegetables except potatoes.

While acknowledging the important role parents play in shaping health habits, public opinion polls show that most people believe schools should do a better job of limiting children’s access to unhealthy food. Studies further show that school-based interventions can make a lasting impact on health habits and wellness.

“Schools are in a position to offer choices that will allow our children to learn good habits in nutrition and physical activity for life,” said Senator Hunter, a sponsor of SB 162 “We’re at a crossroads of allowing children to continue making bad choices and suffering unhealthy consequences. We want our children to live long, healthy lives, and these bills are aimed directly at helping promote the right kinds of change.”

“School nutrition is particularly important in addressing health problems among Latinos, who are experiencing some of the highest rates of childhood obesity and diabetes,” said Representative Delgado, sponsor of HB733. “This is the first in what I hope will be a series of steps to help correct health disparities in our community.”

The Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) is Illinois’ leading authority on healthy school environments and an increasingly powerful political voice for people who want healthier children, better education and a cleaner environment. HSC works with a broad network of individuals and organizations that includes parents, teachers, school administrators, students, public health advocates, education advocates and community leaders on issues such as indoor air quality management and sustainable school design, green cleaning, diesel school bus emissions, hazardous waste, and the growing problem of childhood obesity. A copy of the model Wellness Policy and more information about the implementation kit can be obtained by calling (312) 419-1810 or visiting www.healthyschoolscampaign.org.