Spotlight on School Wellness

Local school districts across the country are implementing wellness policies. Parents along with students and school administrators are working together to fight childhood obesity. Haven’t heard the scoop? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is It?  
During 2004 the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act was signed into law. It may sound like a mouthful, but its goal is simple — improving kids’ overall health and wellness. As of the 2006-2007 school year, this act requires each local education agency or school district to implement a school wellness policy. The act covers public and private schools, residential child care institutions or any agency that participates in a program authorized by the National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act.  

The Concern of Childhood Obesity
Why should we care about school wellness? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being overweight is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. Overweight children are more likely than other children to experience health concerns such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. Prevention is the key for battling childhood obesity. And, creating a school wellness policy using a team approach delivers a broader impact — beyond just the school lunchroom — to the home and the community.

Making the Grade
Each local district creates its own school wellness policy, but there are requirements. At a minimum, the policy includes the following:

• Goals for nutrition education, physical activity and overall student wellness
• Nutrition guidelines for foods offered on the school campus, including in the cafeteria, vending machines, classrooms, school stores and snack bars
• Plans for evaluating the wellness policy, including at least one person who makes sure the district follows its wellness policy
• Involvement by the following community members: parents, students, the school board, school administrators, representatives of the school food service staff and the public

Reinforce Wellness at Home
Make wellness a priority with your family by following these tips from USDA’s Team Nutrition program — and help your family eat better and move more.

• Set a good example. Be physically active and get your family to join you. Have fun together.
• Establish a routine. Set aside time each day to be physically active — walk, jog, skate, cycle or swim.
• Eat dinner together as a family.
• Involve kids in meal planning.
• Review a menu at a favorite restaurant and identify three foods from each of the food groups from MyPyramid.
• Become supermarket sleuths. Ask children to find facts on the nutrition label of their favorite packaged foods. For example, look for the number of calories or the first three items on the ingredient list.
• While watching TV, get up and move around during commercials. If you’re talking on the phone, walk around while talking. Remember to limit television watching and computer time.
• Give gifts that encourage physical activity, such as sporting equipment or active games.
• Set up an inexpensive home gym with canned foods for weights. Stairs can substitute for a stair machine.  

For more resources and tools related to school wellness, visit the USDA’s Team Nutrition Web site at http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Healthy/wellness_policyrequirements.html.

And to check out what’s happening with school wellness in your state, visit www.actionforhealthykids.org. This site, created by the nonprofit organization Action for Healthy Kids, offers tips for developing and maintaining a school wellness plan. So take action and join the fight against the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and sedentary youth. Action for Healthy Kids is active in all 50 states and the District of Columbia — improving youth nutrition and increasing physical activity, which in turn improves readiness to learn.

 

Shrimp and Steak Fajitas

Reinforce wellness at home with a healthy family dinner.

Prep time: 15 minutes*

*Marinate time extra

Cook time: 30 minutes

1 (10-oz.) lean top sirloin steak      

8 large shrimp (6 oz.)

8 cilantro sprigs or 1 tbsp. dried coriander

2 tbsp. lime juice

1 tbsp. ShopRite vegetable oil

3/4 tsp. fajita seasoning

2 red and/or green bell peppers, seeded and quartered

4 (10-inch) whole-wheat tortillas

Lettuce greens

1. Place steak, shrimp and cilantro in large resealable plastic bag. Combine lime juice, oil, fajita seasoning and salt to taste. Pour mixture over meat and shrimp. Seal bag. Marinate in refrigerator 4 to 12 hours, turning occasionally.

2. Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat grill to medium. Discard marinade and cilantro. Grill steak 20 minutes or to desired doneness, turning once. Grill pepper quarters 8 to 10 minutes or until tender.

3. Meanwhile, thread shrimp onto two 15-inch skewers.** Grill shrimp 6 to 8 minutes or until opaque, turning once.

4. Thinly slice steak and peppers. Serve with shrimp and greens on warm tortillas.

Serves 4

Per serving: 300 calories, 26g carbohydrate, 20g protein, 3g fiber, 12g fat, 3g saturated fat, 55mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium

**If using wooden skewers, soak 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.