YoungSlim Kids Newsletter - January 2007

Better Nutrition, Better Academics
By Dr. Pam Popper

An editorial recently appeared in the Columbus newspaper written by Dr. Bill Bainbridge. Bainbridge and his partner own a company called SchoolMatch, which is engaged in compiling data about the performance of various school systems in order to help people with school-aged children decide where to purchase homes.

Bainbridge has gotten on the “improve school food” bandwagon. He reported that just a few weeks ago, a panel

headed by former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher released a document called “The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in our Schools.”

The panel came to several unsurprising conclusions:

The panel emphasized that schools have a huge opportunity and responsibility to “teach and model healthful eating and physical activity, both in theory and in practice.”

“We must understand this important truth: That improving children’s health likely improves school performance. It may even help (financially) on the schools’ bottom line.”

Recipe of the Week

Click on the link below to watch our YoungSlim™Kids Recipe of the Week
in full streaming color video.

Tasty Toast

"Save Your Kids from
Obesity with YoungSlimKids.org"
Click here to find out how!

Dr. Pam Popper
Young Slim™ Kids Panel Expert

January 2007 ● Volume 2, Issue 5 ● YoungSlim™ Kids ● info@youngslimkids.org

Bainbridge added his own comments and stated “Schools are in a unique position to assist families in promoting good nutrition and exercise among children. Many students get two of their daily meals from their school cafeteria, where improvements still need to be made in nutrition.

He and his companies have examined food services throughout the nation and make the following recommendations:

● Prepare meals just in time to minimize holding time and assure that food is served at the highest quality level and nutrient profile is not compromised.

● Bid on food items only after conducting extensive taste testing and evaluating nutrition, consumer acceptability, packaging and holding time.

● Be certain that portions are adequate and have consistency and visual appeal.

● Reduce the stigma associated with free and reduced price meals. (some schools have given kids cards that can be scanned in the lunch line – there is no discernable difference in the cards for paying students vs. those qualifying for free lunches, which encourages low-income kids to get in line)

Still another person is weighing in on the school food issue – Arnold Schwarzenegger stated at the Arnold Classic here in Columbus that he favors banning all junk food in schools and is planning to introduce legislation that would accomplish this goal in California.

Again, nothing surprising here, but it is reassuring to see more and more people arriving at the conclusion that we need to do something about this very important issue.

We hope these simple steps toward a healthier lifestyle assist you in winning the fight against childhood obesity. If you have any questions you may email us at info@youngslimkids.org. We are here to help you in the fight to save our children.

YoungSlim™ Kids
Article of the Week

Click on the link below to read our Article of the Week
and remember:

“The more you know,
the more you can help your kids.”

Report pleads for a united front against childhood obesity

Join Our Cause and Support Our Children
With childhood obesity at epidemic levels and rising at an alarming rate, we truly need your help. Please join the many civic organizations, schools, churches, police and fire departments and so many others who support our great cause. Become a YoungSlim™ Kids Member today—for the children's sake.

Click here to become a YoungSlim™Kids Member Now!

Page 2

January 2007 ● Volume 2, Issue 5 ● YoungSlim™ Kids ● info@youngslimkids.org