- Posted
- November 20, 2009
Ohio bill aims to reduce obesity through school reforms
On Tuesday lawmakers in both the Ohio House and Senate introduced a bill aimed at reducing childhood obesity by requiring schools to provide more nutritious food, making physical activity mandatory and tracking students’ body-mass index rate (Source: “Ohio bill targets obesity in schools,” Cincinnati Enquirer, Nov. 17, 2009).
"Kids spend six, seven hours a day at school. It's the No. 1 place they are outside their homes," said state Sen. Eric Kearney (D-North Avondale), a co-sponsor of the "Healthy Choices for Healthy Children" bill. "The easiest way to build good behaviors is by starting in schools."
The bill is being backed by the Health Choices for Health Children coalition, a newly formed group of businesses, providers and health-care advocates led by the Ohio Business Roundtable. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio met with the coalition as it worked to develop recommendations for reducing childhood obesity.
"Kids spend six, seven hours a day at school. It's the No. 1 place they are outside their homes," said state Sen. Eric Kearney (D-North Avondale), a co-sponsor of the "Healthy Choices for Healthy Children" bill. "The easiest way to build good behaviors is by starting in schools."
The bill is being backed by the Health Choices for Health Children coalition, a newly formed group of businesses, providers and health-care advocates led by the Ohio Business Roundtable. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio met with the coalition as it worked to develop recommendations for reducing childhood obesity.
