Oct 18, 2011
David Share, vice chairman of the Michigan State Medical Society, believes that diet is more important than exercise in combating childhood obesity.
“Hands down — it’s about what you eat,” he said.
Meals provided in schools must meet federal requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program. This is true for all states, but decisions about exact food choices and preparation methods are made by local school boards, according to USDA officials.
Michigan’s overweight and obese numbers in children are higher than the national average. Somewhere around 18 percent of Michigan youth ages 10-17 are overweight, while only about 15 percent in the same age group are overweight nationwide. Furthermore, about 12 percent of these students are identified as obese, compared to the roughly 16 percent nationwide obesity rate, according to a survey conducted in 2007.
What can be done to fight childhood obesity and help our children, no matter what state we live in, to make healthier choices about eating? The following infographic points to a number of issues that may be making it tough for kids to fight the urge to eat foods that lead to weight problems. Let’s take a look:
