Health News
- Generals Ask Congress To Renew School Nutrition Rules, Note 73% Of Young Adult Kentuckians Too Fat To Fight, 8th Highest In Nation
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A new report from the Department of Defense found that 73 percent of young adults in Kentucky aren't qualified to serve in the military, mostly because they are overweight. That is the eighth highest ineligibility...
- Spending Bill Allows Schools That Show 'hardship' To Vary From Requirement To Serve 100 Percent Whole Grains
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The massive 2015 spending bill signed by President Obama Dec. 16 includes a provision to help schools struggling with the whole-grain and sodium requirements that are part of the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act. It...
- Most Kentucky Schools Adapting Well To New Federal Nutrition Rules, Usda Official With Kentucky Background Says
While one Kentucky school district has ditched the federal school-meals program and the money that comes with it, an official of the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services says that most Kentucky schools are creatively...
- Kentucky School Nutritionists Meet Amid Some Opposition To Federal School-lunch Guidelines Aimed At Curbing Child Obesity
Kentucky schools are working to adjust to the federal nutrition requirements for school lunches, but are facing some opposition from students, parents and some school nutritionists. The U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, aimed at curbing childhood...
- Schools Have Big Role To Play In Battling Childhood Obesity
Schools can make a powerful impact on battling the childhood obesity epidemic, but only when health and nutrition are seen as a way to improve student learning rather than take away from it. But there can be push-back in making this transition, said John...
Health News
Generals say obesity is a national-security issue, and the main medical reason 73% of Ky. young adults can't join the service
"Obesity is the leading medical reason why 73 percent of our young adults cannot qualify for military service" in Kentucky, two former state adjutants general write in The Courier-Journal. They endorse the Obama administration's nutrition standards for school meals.
"We must turn the tide on the obesity epidemic by instilling good eating and exercise habits from an early age. Good nutrition starts at home, but many kids get up to half of their daily calories at school so it just makes sense to ensure they?re eating healthfully there, too," write Maj. Gens. Michael Davidson and Allen Youngman.
"Unfortunately, there is a misguided effort afoot to enable schools to retreat from these improved nutrition standards," they write. "The move is driven by complaints that some students are having trouble adjusting to the healthier offerings, and that some schools are struggling to procure healthier ingredients and the necessary equipment for preparing the new meals. In response, the USDA is offering significant flexibility to these schools. They permanently removed caps on proteins because of the challenges some schools were facing, and offered flexibility on rules regarding whole grain pasta. They also extended the grant period for funds to help schools meet the new standards, and are providing workshops to help schools that are struggling learn what works from those that are succeeding.
"We must turn the tide on the obesity epidemic by instilling good eating and exercise habits from an early age. Good nutrition starts at home, but many kids get up to half of their daily calories at school so it just makes sense to ensure they?re eating healthfully there, too," write Maj. Gens. Michael Davidson and Allen Youngman.
"Unfortunately, there is a misguided effort afoot to enable schools to retreat from these improved nutrition standards," they write. "The move is driven by complaints that some students are having trouble adjusting to the healthier offerings, and that some schools are struggling to procure healthier ingredients and the necessary equipment for preparing the new meals. In response, the USDA is offering significant flexibility to these schools. They permanently removed caps on proteins because of the challenges some schools were facing, and offered flexibility on rules regarding whole grain pasta. They also extended the grant period for funds to help schools meet the new standards, and are providing workshops to help schools that are struggling learn what works from those that are succeeding.
- Generals Ask Congress To Renew School Nutrition Rules, Note 73% Of Young Adult Kentuckians Too Fat To Fight, 8th Highest In Nation
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A new report from the Department of Defense found that 73 percent of young adults in Kentucky aren't qualified to serve in the military, mostly because they are overweight. That is the eighth highest ineligibility...
- Spending Bill Allows Schools That Show 'hardship' To Vary From Requirement To Serve 100 Percent Whole Grains
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The massive 2015 spending bill signed by President Obama Dec. 16 includes a provision to help schools struggling with the whole-grain and sodium requirements that are part of the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act. It...
- Most Kentucky Schools Adapting Well To New Federal Nutrition Rules, Usda Official With Kentucky Background Says
While one Kentucky school district has ditched the federal school-meals program and the money that comes with it, an official of the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services says that most Kentucky schools are creatively...
- Kentucky School Nutritionists Meet Amid Some Opposition To Federal School-lunch Guidelines Aimed At Curbing Child Obesity
Kentucky schools are working to adjust to the federal nutrition requirements for school lunches, but are facing some opposition from students, parents and some school nutritionists. The U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, aimed at curbing childhood...
- Schools Have Big Role To Play In Battling Childhood Obesity
Schools can make a powerful impact on battling the childhood obesity epidemic, but only when health and nutrition are seen as a way to improve student learning rather than take away from it. But there can be push-back in making this transition, said John...