What can be done to improve childhood nutrition?
According to the National Institutes of Health, in the US, 1 out of every 4 children age 6-11 is overweight, and 1 out of every 4 children age 5-10 shows early warning signs for heart disease such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In order to turn around these negative trends, children must be exposed to healthy foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and they must have regular access to them. At home, parents can play an important role by exposing their children to good tasting, healthy foods and by modeling healthy eating habits. In schools, nutrition education should be incorporated into curricula, and healthy meals and snacks should be available to all students. Farm to cafeteria initiatives are a means of securing healthy food for children while providing ample educational opportunities. We also need to foster healthy environments in both schools and communities, where children can learn, play, and eat free from commercial exploitation.
