Lubbock schools already ahead of call to improve meals

The CDC estimates 12 to 17 percent of children between ages two and 11 are overweight. The First Lady says statistics like this prompted her to create a plan to put some common-sense initiative in place.

Specifics will be announced next month. But representatives in our area school cafeterias say they're already stepping up efforts.

"It's just a gradual increase over the years," says Niki Sue, LISD health services coordinator, on the changes the First Lady is proposing. Area schools have already joined the fight. LISD students get a certain amount of exercise each day. They're also introduced to health choices earlier.

"It's very difficult to get a 12-year-old to eat broccoli that hasn't ever ate broccoli," says Sue. "But if you start at age three, even if they haven't had it at home, at least we're making that impact during the school day."

Over the past five years fryers and transfats disappeared from LISD cafeterias and have been replaced with better options.

"We offer fresh fruits and vegetables after every point of service, every location, every day," says Katie Gossett, LISD director of child nutrition.

Many of the measures already in place are based on laws created at the state level, says Gossett. "We actually live in a stricter state than most states in the U.S."

But dietitians say school lunch lines can only do so much. Dr. Amy Ashmore says change begins at home.

"Children, on average, spend about eight hours a day on entertainment, such as video games and TV and their cell phones," says Dr. Ashmore, a dietitian at UMC. She says a sedentary lifestyle, combined with more fast food, has led to a shift in standards.

"Because so many children are overweight, it's looking like the norm," says Dr. Ashmore.

Experts recommend avoiding the drive-thru and offering more fruits and veggies at earlier ages. They say it also doesn't hurt for parents to lead by example.