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KENTUCKY HEALTH
DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION
POSITION STATEMENT
CHILDREN’S
NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The Kentucky Health Departments Association is compelled to
protect the children of Kentucky by addressing these health crises: obesity,
inactivity and poor nutrition. Kentucky
has the third (3rd) highest rate of obesity in the United States,
behind Mississippi and West Virginia. In
the last twenty (20) years, obesity rates have doubled in Kentucky’s children
and tripled among our adolescents. The
resulting health effects are increasing rates of youth with Type II Diabetes,
unhealthy cholesterol levels and sedentary lifestyles.
Physical activity has been eliminated from many students’ schedules
leaving 71% sitting at a desk most of the day.
Vending machine offerings in our schools resemble junk food aisles at a
convenience store with few healthy choices and students are choosing chips,
candy and sodas, by and large.
Schools have long been charged with promoting health in
children through mandated physicals, vision exams and immunization requirements.
Students eat up to two (2) meals a day and spend nearly half of their
waking hours in school making it a logical place to begin to address obesity and
inactivity. By changing when
students can access vending machines, what food choices are available and
increasing physical activity, the Kentucky Health Departments Association
believes we can impact the future of Kentucky’s state of health and finance.
As the health status improves and chronic disease rates drop, insurance
premiums and health care costs will be reduced.
School staff charged with making decisions about food
choices offered to our children need an expanded knowledge of healthy menu
planning and nutrition. The
Kentucky Health Departments Association supports credentialing and continuing
education requirements for food service directors and cafeteria managers.
The Kentucky Health Departments Association strongly
supports legislation improving school food offerings, increasing physical
activity and training food service staff. The
Kentucky Health Departments Association believes these changes will result in
healthier children and a brighter, healthier future for Kentucky.
Approved by Membership November 17, 2004.
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