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Obesity is one of the major health problems experienced by the United States at the beginning of the 21st century. It has become so severe that legislation and policy changes have been suggested to curb the effects of the problem. The main cause for obesity is two-fold: the availability and low cost of food on the one hand, and the lack of physical activity during the average workday on the other. Both these dimensions can be addressed by means of school policy and legislation. When children are taught to change their habits towards more healthy living, the root of society is affected.
The food issue is problematic and multi-dimensional. Several issues of business and financial resources are at stake. However, simple and immediate policies can be implemented to address the problem on a more concrete basis. In the classroom children could for example be educated regarding the variety of healthy foods that are available and their effects on the body, as opposed to the effects of unhealthy foods. They can also be educated regarding the amount of nutrition and exercise needed by the human body. Homework assignments can include discussing with parents at least one healthy food that can be added to the family diet.
Gym sessions can be increased during the school day, supplemented by field trips that encourage physical activity. Homework assignments, especially for young children, could include physical activities undertaken with parents. Children could then report on these in writing or orally.
School policies can therefore be modified in simple and small ways to change the daily habits of children, and to encourage parents to do the same. These can be implemented while the more complicated issues such as fast food at school cafeterias are addressed by legislation. The important aspect of this is that the root of the problem is addressed by involving the whole family in a policy of exchanging unhealthy habits for healthy ones.
Source
Richards, Edward P., Gold, Jay & McLean, Thomas (2004, June). Legislative Strategies to Reduce Obesity. Third Annual CDC Public Health Law Conference.
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