Safe Healthy Living

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So what is the Healthy Kids Act?  H.R. 4053   This bill was established by the Office of Childhood and Obesity Prevention and Treatment within the Office of Public Health and Science of the Department of Health and  Human Services, and for other purposes.

In 2007, when  Senator Tom Harkin was chair of the Senate Agricultural Program the concerns for the quality of  nutrition, physical activity, obesity in children and the funding for the  School Lunch program addressed these issues and initiated this bill.  It took 2 years to finalize the profile and standards of the details of nutrition, school lunch program do’s and don’ts, beverages and snacks allowable in vending machines sales, before, during and after school.  Also, addressed was the concessions at school sponsored events and fundraising for clubs and organizations.  Attached to this bill was of course, the need to have exercise and physical activity to help reduce the concern for obesity.  After various recommedations and amendments were adjusted, this bill passed and went into law on July 1, 2009 at the federal level. 

Each state  had the opportunity to make adjustments or revisions for schools receiving funding for their School Lunch program.  In my state of Iowa, these are the guidelines adapted by the Senate and Legislature, click on this link:    http://www.tinyurl.com/Iowa-HKA .    

 To find out the general guidelines, from the CDC go to this link:  http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/guidelines/summary.htm  

or for individual state guidelines check out this link:   http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/in-your-state/

After reviewing this information, take some action for your family and write in a journal or on a chalkboard what you eat at home for breakfast, lunch and supper.  Snacks in the evening or on the weekend.  Fast foods, etc.  How can you take action to reduce your families intake of poor dietary choices and adjust to healthier snacks, less processed foods, family time in planning, grocery shopping, preparing meals, snacks.  Having fun together with a WII machine, throwing a  football, playing catch, kicking a soccer ball, walking or riding bikes around the block, going to the gym, swimming or plan your own little workouts per age appropriate.  

What about adding a nutritional supplement such as:  Maximol or Jr. Max which contains 67 trace minerals and vitamins to help assure you are maintaining a balance in your diet.

The most important factor is: are you thinking about what you are eating to stay healthy and doing something, anything for exercise on a regular basis to have healthy kids?