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Ohio slow in reacting to obesity in children

But state officials are now developing programs to help kids get and stay fit.

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Nineteen states say their schools must serve lunches that are healthier than the federal government requires.

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I agree, tax the heck out of fast food, junk food, candy, soda, etc. Use the money to subsidize fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy school lunches (not tater tots and sloppy joes), and K-12 health and physical education programs.

KAF
7:27 PM, 7/6/2009

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They didn't get fat eating just the school lunches! Once again the schools are tasked to do what mom & dad are not doing.

flipper
4:27 PM, 7/6/2009

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I guess if you are an adult and you wish to be an overweight eye-sore who dies before they reach 50 years old, then go ahead and keep beng fat. However,the children need to be educated and guided in the right direction so that when they become adults, they may choose to live a healthier lifestyle.

Kids need guidance, and if they can't get it at home,then they need to get it somewhere else.

fat kids
2:24 PM, 7/6/2009

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The S.C.S. K-5 only have gym onces a week with recess for 15min that the teachers always find some excuse not to give and grades 6-8 one quarter of gym. There are healther choices out there for a lunch menu but if they think many children and going to eat carrots and peas think again.

omg
8:56 PM, 7/5/2009

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You are kidding yourself if you think what they serve at the S.C.S. are healthy food choices. My children skip lunch most of the time. I think they should provide microwaves so kids can have more choices to pack besides PBJ and coldcuts. Also everybody knows if people had more time to eat and not shoving food in in 30min or less they could feel full and put the food down. What we need is a mine your own business tax. So many people are living in glass houses. Please keep your glasses half full

omg
8:42 PM, 7/5/2009

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wow, thats all we need is a bunch more ****** kids running around

the man
8:41 PM, 7/5/2009

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Read this article: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhoo...

It is a problem and if the parents don't care then someone has to - and will end up being all tax payers who will have higher taxes or other increased insurance rates to offset the medicaid and medicare cost for those who have no insurance.

Just another example of the fact that people are having kids and not raising them properly.

Time for parents to start taking care of their kids or quit having them.

It is a problem
3:29 PM, 7/5/2009

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This is ridiculous! It is not the government's responsibility to monitor people's weight, and it is degrading to children for their teachers to tell them they are fat! It is none of the government's or the school's buisness if the children are overweight - or fat. If the parents can't take care of it, oh well. The children will learn soooner or later and make a decision for themselves about their body weight and whether they need/want to lose any.

Lucky
2:26 PM, 7/5/2009

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Treat this problem like people treat smokers - humiliate them, tax them heavily, etc... maybe this will motivate the fat people and the parents of obese kids to change.

Tax the goodies and the fast food junk - give that extra tax monies to the schools to provide healthier meals.

The same stresses are on smokers - tobacco companies were sued and local gov't abuse those monies and gave most to schools instead of helping smokers quit.

SAY "FAT TAX" since parents can't raise kids!

Say "FAT TAX"
12:17 PM, 7/5/2009

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There is no silver bullet for this problem. I work among the urban poor (who, along with the rural poor, are disproportionately obese). Poverty is characterized by a lack of hope about the future and a yearning for escape from the stress of the moment. Given that situation, the 2-liter and the bag of chips is always more attractive than exercise. Good health is an abstract, far-off idea, but the Big Mac is right here, right now.

John
11:02 AM, 7/5/2009

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I do believe that is a responsibility of the parents...weight control for their children. But I have to point out the high cost of eating right, which would ideally contain alot of fresh fruits and veggies! Also, our children are at school for most of the day, they only eat once. chances are what they are eating at school is not the problem...it's before and after! A fat tax would be a good thing....or they could get off their fat ***** and exercise...maybe grow a garden...and eat that..LMAO

fear of width
9:15 AM, 7/5/2009

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It all starts at home. If the parents don't care then what hope is there for the children?

Today it's all about video games, computers, and the newest episode of some ridiculous reality show. Too many parents don't take the time or make the effort to teach their children how to take care of themselves, how to take care of their health, or how to do much of anything. It's sad!

Parents...it starts with you! YOU are the example! No excuses!

Tamia
9:15 AM, 7/5/2009

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Kitty's right! It's the irresponsible parents to blame here. No one else.

Ed
9:02 AM, 7/5/2009

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I don't see a need for ANY new taxes, but I do see a need for the citizens of the USA to start acting like adults instead of children who need the Govt to take over their lives.. What a pathetic country we are becoming.. lazy, fat, irresponsible, and wanting the Govt to run our lives? This is not what I grew up learning about America. We are in such a sad time and if we don't wake up soon, we will all be prisoners of our own Govt!

Grow up!
3:04 AM, 7/5/2009

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All of the fat people have been pointing their chubby little fingers at smokers; blaming them for the rise in health care costs. Well, not it is time for the fat finger to pointed inward; obesity is putting a tremendous strain on healthcare - diabetes, heart issues, etc.

Now is time to start the "fat" tax - putting a heavy federal tax on all candies, cookies, fast food, etc. - just like they did on cigarettes!!!

Time for the fat tax!!!
11:01 PM, 7/4/2009

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I think that it can begin with school lunches. Plus become part of health education. There's already a lot of great information and publications for children to understand healthy choices.

Marjorie
10:47 PM, 7/4/2009

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And yet we love the government having control over so much else. God forbid "they" stand for international affairs, public safety and small safety nets in the area of public welfare and education. Lot worse gov't control going on than dealing with fat kids!

James
9:36 PM, 7/4/2009

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Now it's the governments responsibility to make sure Ohio's children aren't getting fat? What next, close down fast food restaurants and
7-11's? Parents are responsible, no one else. It's time to put the blame where it needs to be.

kitty
9:12 PM, 7/4/2009

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