Ask the doctor


San Francisco Schools Fight Fat

Childhood obesity is at alarming levels inneeds to be made aware of how nutrition
this county. Children in the San Franciscochoices will affect their health. But it's a
Schools are no exception. Too much televisionpretty safe bet that the San Francisco
and video games, and too little time spentSchools don't have much extra time to teach
playing outside has led to an epidemic ofdaily health classes. That's OK, what they're
juvenile health issues. It sure doesn't helpdoing now might be even better. Schools need
that the San Francisco Schools have had toto lead by example. Just think of the message
cut funding for physical education over thethat it sent to children to have soda in
years. But the 2007-2008 school year doesvending machines and options like chips, ice
have something positive going for it. Severalcream and fatty meals for lunch fare. The San
San Francisco Schools will provide freshFrancisco Schools are setting an example that
salad bars, whole grain options, and wholethe rest of the nation needs to emulate. It's
fruits and vegetable in their cafeterias.high time that schools look at the messages
Twenty six San Francisco Schools fromthey are sending to our children. What Else
elementary to high school will benefit from aCan the San Francisco Schools Do? While
half a million dollar grant from the mayor'shealthier school lunches are a huge
office and the Department of Children, Youth,improvement to the San Francisco Schools, the
and their families. This is a big deal. Thereality is that every public school district
fact that a school district has actuallyin the country is struggling to succeed. The
recognized the importance of nutrition inSan Francisco Schools experimented with the
education is enormous. For the past fewsalad bars with pilot programs in a few of
decades public education has acted as if thethe schools last year. Hopefully more San
only aspect of learning we should worry aboutFrancisco Schools will follow this example
are test scores. The San Francisco Unifiednext year. It is more costly for the San
School District has been forced to slash theFrancisco Schools to provide this fresher
arts, physical education, and anything notfare than canned vegetables and mystery meat?
seen to directly affect standardized tests.I'm sure it is. But the San Francisco Schools
How Does Nutrition Affect San Franciscowill recoup the cost in children who are more
Schools Students? Teachers in the Sanlikely to pay attention (maybe less ADD
Francisco Schools know that a child'sdiagnoses), higher test scores, children who
academic success lies in several factors:are less fussy, and who appreciate the taste
home environment, proper nutrition, and aof  fresh  foods.
good night sleep greatly impact a student's
ability to pay attention and retainPatricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools
information. The fast food generationK-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all
currently attending the San Francisco SchoolsU.S. public and private K-12 schools.



1 A B C D E F 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136