Keywords

 

Authors

  1. Dalton, Sharron PhD, RD

Abstract

The causes of overweight and obesity in children are multifactorial as are the solutions. Schools are one place where several factors promote obesity-or could prevent its rapid rise. In an ideal world, family meals provide the opportunity for parents to serve nutritious food in appropriate portion sizes, to pass on healthy eating habits, and to strengthen family bonds through mealtime conversations. Increasingly, children eat 1 or 2 meals in school. Working with schools is an excellent way to restore the health of our children by providing attractive and nourishing food choices, a variety of physical activities for children of all sizes and abilities, and opportunities to learn about food and health in the classroom.