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Healthy Eating and Fitness in Schools
Parents want their children to be healthy, however, childhood obesity is
an epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Most schools are now
implementing a “healthy” nutrition and fitness program into everyday
education with Project Healthy Schools.
Vending machines in schools have recently been updated to cater to a
healthier lifestyle. Many soft drink and candy machines have been taken
out of schools and replaced with juice, water, and healthy snack
machines. Educational institutions have started providing more
nutritional meals for students in alternative to the higher calorie and
fat meals that have previously been available. Healthy food (gesund
ernähren) options in school are probably
not popular with the majority of children, but can be very beneficial in
their overall well-being and health.
Another method that schools are taking in the fight against childhood
obesity is regular physical activity. Recently, a number of schools have
adopted the rule that every student must walk for at least 10 minutes
during a certain class. This is generally performed in the halls of the
school and allows children to be with their friends and have fun whilst
still getting exercise. Physical Education and gym classes are also
teaching students how to take proper care of their bodies by offering
nutritional and
fitness information.
Children are meant to be energetic and playful, but being obese, or even
overweight, can hinder a child’s ability to perform child-like
activities. Many students that are overweight feel like they do not fit
in with the smaller children, which can lead to a life of
self-consciousness. Better performance in school is an added benefit to
healthy choices due to the fact that children that get the required
nutrients are more focused. By participating in healthy eating and
fitness in school, students can start to see a change in their physical
appearance and mentality.
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