Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Montgomery health agency recommends healthy snacks, tracking student obesity

From The Examiner, courtesy of reporter Kate Jacobson:

Montgomery County's Health Commission is recommending that the county track student obesity and put more nutritious snacks in vending machines, as part of officials' latest efforts to make county residents healthier.

The Health Commission also told the County Council that the county should provide more opportunities for exercise for children and adults, and establish better accommodations for mothers who are breast-feeding.

"We wanted to focus on [issues] with easy implementation," said Commission Chairman Marcos Pesquera, adding that the group looked at multiple government agencies that could benefit from the recommendations.

One of the more detailed plans is to start tracking students' body mass index at certain grade levels to analyze obesity trends. BMI, calculated from a person's weight and height, is often used as a screening tool for potential weight problems.

To read the entire story go here.

1 comment:

  1. Part of the problem is that some of the fundraising at school dances and other functions include pushing pizza and soda instead of water and other healthy choices to raise money. hard to believe we can't come up with other more creative ways to raise money than to directly contribute to the nationwide health issue of childhood obesity, hyperactivity, and addiction to junk food. It seems very hypocritical.

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