The legislation in Ohio just signed the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children into law and will take affect in the new school year. They are obviously serious about curbing obesity in this state where it is estimated that 19% of all kids are overweight. The legislation calls for:
- Healthy interventions from Kindergarten through 12th grades;
- Schools to use Body Mass Index (BMI) to estimate a healthy body weight (but parents can opt out);
- PE teachers hired after 2012 must be certified and licensed;
- All schools are required to offer a pilot program with 30 minutes of rigorous physical activity each day - aside from recess;
- Schools are forced to provide healthier options in cafeterias and vending machines.
We know that an obese 10-year old has an 80% chance of being obese as an adult. These initiatives from Ohio will go a long way towards proper education for healthy lifestyles in the long term. It is a big step closer to stem the the obesity growth and who knows, see a decline in a generation. Well done to all the legislators from both parties who supported these efforts.
Michael Cordier
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