School Fights Childhood Obesity

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Healthy snacks, exercise encouraged
Posted: 6:07 PM Apr 22, 2008
Last Updated: 7:31 PM Apr 22, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

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Norris Middle School's fitness and wellness plan makes the grade. The school has been recognized by the state for helping to fight obesity.

The days are numbered for salty, sweet and calorie-filled snacks in the vending machines at Norris Middle School.

"I've had situations where even walking a girl up the to the second floor, she's out of breath by the time I get her up to the second floor and she's saying this is really hard for me to move around," says school counselor Laura Johnson.

To help students who are overweight and undernourished lose weight and feel great, the school will replace all the fatty choices with healthy alternatives.

"They're not choosing the fruits and vegetables that I would want as much as they are choosing cookies and, you know, things that are just not that good for them," says Johnson.

The vending machine change starts next school year and is part of the school's overall wellness plan.

In May, student fitness volunteers like Brad Reha and Krista Ruiz will be partnered with teachers, who in addition to changing things around in the classrooms, will be more visibly physically active.

“I've tested that if I eat fruits and stuff right before the game the day before then I'm really, I have more energy than before and it's working,” says Reha.

"We just go out for a walk and while we're walking we like to talk and we have this conversation and we don't even know that we've been walking around for an hour," says Ruiz.

"Changing pizza snacks for rewards to more fruits and vegetables kinds of things,” says Johnson. “About 50 staff members have committed to some kind of wellness for themselves involving walking. It could either be walking here at school or walking at home or whatever and recording that."

To help parents understand the importance of balanced meals and exercise, Norris Middle School is hosting a community night out event at 6:30 p.m. on April 29th. A number of activities will give everyone several tips on becoming and staying healthy.

The Nebraska Action for Healthy Kids has recognized Norris' efforts with its bronze award. Other Omaha schools honored for wellness programs include Brownell-Talbot, which received a gold award, and Boyd Elementary School, which received a silver award.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: missymora on May 5, 2008 at 06:21 PM
If OPS reallly wants to combat obesity they should stop serving such bad food. The food is not healthy. Burgers soaked in oil, oily pizza and fries are not healthy. I'm glad they are trying but they could do a little better.

Posted by: Teresa on Apr 24, 2008 at 06:38 PM
To the comment about wrong "priorities", I refer you to following website www.realage.com/WorkOutCenter?articles.aspx?aid=10458. I hope you are unafraid to explore the connection between walking and thinking (#2). Possibly some insight on your part may occur as you relisten and see the program described is a partial solution to the academic performance issues of the past.

Posted by: Bob on Apr 24, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Well let's all be fat, dumb and happy!!

Posted by: To Parochial on Apr 24, 2008 at 02:36 PM
For the To Bob comment---Geez, he was sticking up for you! Learning is something it looks like you could use too.

Posted by: To Bob on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:31 PM
You must not have seen my first post - that maybe a middle school that is ranked 92 out of 100 in the state based on STARS scores should be focusing on academics as opposed to obesity - misplaced priorities!

Posted by: To Parochial on Apr 24, 2008 at 10:44 AM
You two made my point without explanation. The ego, elitism and we are bettter than the general public sickens me. Prayers....

Posted by: Bob on Apr 24, 2008 at 06:44 AM
To Parochial School Parent: What are you talking about? Problem children? No the subject is talking about fat children. Childhood obesity!! Are you saying that there are nothing but skinny kids in Parochial schools? I don't think so.

Posted by: Parochial School Parent on Apr 23, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Excuses, excuses - my take, government run functions involving unionized employees do not do their tasks well or efficiently.

Posted by: Bob on Apr 23, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Okay quit blaming the schools. I realize they put in vending machines and they can take them out but who is really to blame? Themselves. The choose to be lazy and play video games and drink soda. Maybe schools should incorporate a late morning and mid-afternoon recess where all students need to play or run. No sitting. They need to move!! It would be great for some of those fat teachers to join in. I always like the story where the mom wanted to sue McDonald's because they made their kid fat. Yeah, and they held a gun to your head and made you eat their junk.

Posted by: To Parochial School Parent on Apr 23, 2008 at 11:37 AM
How many problem children do you have in your Parochial School? How many Special Needs Programs? Thanks for you tax support tho, even if your comments would not even get 98 out of 100 on STARS...

Posted by: Jon on Apr 23, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Take away there video games and tell them to play outside.

Posted by: Louis Yuhasz on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:22 AM
This is so wonderful to read. I hope that this school's administration as well as the community will visit our site -and pass it on. www.louieskids.org is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that raises funds to help treat childhood obesity, which afflicts 25 million American children today. Louie's Kids works to find the best treatment options to meet the needs of each child. We find the fix that fits, one kid at a time. It will take us all, kids, parents, non-profits, the community at large -and certainly schools to combat the obesity epidemic. Please log on and tell the kids from your community who are struggling that we are here as a resource to them and their parents. Louis Yuhasz-Founder www.louieskids.org

Posted by: Bob on Apr 23, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Here's the best thing that schools can do. REMOVE ALL VENDING MACHINES!!!! Mandatory dodge ball at noon. Imagine that!! Each team has 50-100 on each side. Woo hoo!!! That would be a BALL!!!!

Posted by: doris on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:40 PM
part of the blame for child obesity lies at the feet of the schools that have put testing above everything else. Remember recess? how about gym class--you are lucky if the kids move out of their seats for gym class more than twice week for maybe 40 minutes. Of course all the running games like dodge ball, tag, or red rover have long gone for fear of hurting delicate egos. Remember how much running and moving was involved in those games. How many of you had those lovely gym jumpsuits that stunk up the locker room after gym class? Not much of that any more either.

Posted by: Mary O. on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I think it's a great idea for schools to offer healthy food to kids and set an example by consuming the healthy foods, but I see two problems with the schools mandating only healthy foods. One is that all other choices have been taken away. The second is that it's the parents' responsibility to raise their children to eat healthy. If the schools have to get involved, then the parents aren't involved. I'm guessing these parents, like myself, grew up in the 70's & 80's. Most kids I knew didn't have health problems because they played outside or went to the neighborhood pool all day during the summer. Also, our schools didn't have vending machines or lunch programs, so our parents packed our lunches. Maybe it's time parents re-thought how they stayed healthy when they were kids and steer their kids in that direction.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:02 PM
There are crazy people everywhere. No way would I let my child walk 1.5 miles to school. Im sure Joubert thought that neighborhood was safe too. You just dont know!!!!

Posted by: Erin on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:52 PM
WOW!! I am THRILLED to see that the schools are trying to combat obesity...it is very unfortunate to see overweight children. Hopefully more parents will catch on!

Posted by: Parochial School Parent on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Glad to see that the school has it's priorities straight - the students may be healthy but, based on the rank in the state (92 out of 100 under STARS), they are among the lowest performing middle school in the state.

Posted by: J on Apr 22, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Here's another way to combat student obesity: have them walk to school. Saves gas, promotes fitness, especially now that it's light when school starts and ends. I used to walk the 1.5 miles to Norris, when it was Norris Jr. High, in rain, snow, sun. I realize that times are different now, but I don't think that neighborhood is so bad that the kids can't walk. Try it!