In a city where 22 percent of children between ages 3 and 7 are obese, double the national rate for similarly aged children, we would like to commend the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for meeting and exceeding health and wellness standards in the schools. CPS began revising menus in 2009, prior to passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the first time nutritional guidelines for school lunches had been changed in 15 years.
The new guidelines require schools to serve whole grains, low-fat milk, fruits and vegetables, foods with no trans-fat, and foods low in sodium.
A grant from the Centers for Disease Control, "Healthy Places," allowed CPS to establish and staff a Health and Wellness Promotion (HWP) team within the Office of Nutrition Support Services. Recognizing the link between healthy students and academic success, HWP works to align district policy and assist schools in meeting the criteria for the Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge (HUSSC) ? the school-based component of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign ? which sets specific standards for nutrition education, healthy fundraising, physical activity, and school meals.Read more...
