As reported by scholars, we’re such a wreck at being parents that we are unable to mandate our own children’s health. We must depend instead on governmental experts to be able to avoid the inevitable. What that is, according to one scholar:
“We are going to have the first generation of children who are not going to live as long as their parents.” Dr. George Blackburn, Harvard Medical School
The Federally Mandated Wellness Policy is now well underway, with schools providing online reports of the things they are doing as a way to be in compliance with all the mandates.
Where did the large plans and massive goals from the government’s wellness program actually take the schools? In the four years since this policy was put in place, has obesity been substantially reduced by school lunches, breakfast programs, along with other things?
Have far reaching changes and improvement been reported by the school systems? In many instances, probably not.
The Guidelines:
* “Establish a local school wellness policy no later than the first day of school after June 30, 2006.
* School Wellness Policies must contain at least:
– Goals for nutrition education, physical activity, etc to promote student wellness
– Nutrition guidelines for all foods available during the school day should promote student health and reduce childhood obesity”
These guidelines very interesting. As parents or educators, the guidelines do not spell out what exactly our goals should be. They fail to offer insight as to where exactly the funding may come from that will permit us to supply new physical activity programs, and change the patterns of children with regard to food.
As one blogging mother, planning to review her school’s Wellness Policy, puts it best ” Super Donut, S’mores pop tart, fruit loops, corn dogs and so forth….” are served inside the cafeterias. What new outlook does serving sweet treats and fastfood type meals provide?
Chicken nuggets, pizza, nachos, along with other foods that do not seem to adhere to wellness policies are on the monthly menus of Las Vegas School Districts.
In the Federally Mandated Guidelines, where exactly do these types of foods fit? Are they within the letter of the Wellness Policy? Or even in the spirit of it? Are they teaching better nutrition through example?
Interviewing parents from three school districts in two states, each stated that they had not been contacted by their schools in any way with regards to the wellness policy and the purpose of the government with regard to it. With no cooperation of the families, exactly how can we produce the needed changes?
The Federal Mandates appear to lend less credence to the parent’s influence on the child than that of the school. In almost every case, this is erroneous. Involving the family in your efforts to improve a child’s outlook toward food and wellness shall be a lot more successful. However, this isn’t being done.
The intent of our government appears to be a positive thing, and the federal mandates are of course geared toward saving us from ourselves and helping our kids to become better equipped to live a lengthy and healthy life, free of heart disease and obesity problems.
Though applaudable in every aspect, it is hardly practical once you think about the following:
-Parental and family involvement is not encouraged
-Most of the time, the fast food lifestyle and eating routine is being encouraged by the appearance of the food in most cafeterias
-School budget reductions in recent days have left the schools without the money to purchase pencils, to replace older textbooks, and to keep good teachers, let alone buying locally grown fruits and vegetables to assure compliance with a healthier tomorrow.
The Wellness Policy’s final outcome on child obesity has yet to come. Without a change in the way in which schools interpret the policy, the is little hope that it will change the future of the children it’s geared toward helping.
school food service