Sunday 14th June 2009 - Are we losing the childhood obesity war ?

I saw this article this morning in the Daily Telegraph and had to repost it as there seems to be a real difference between the problems and the solutions relating to childhood obesity.

In this article it seems that profits for schools have a greater focus then the health of children attending them which bodes well for the future of our country.

With so many "experts" out there telling us we are doing well it seems this is just more rhetoric unless you buy their programs and plans. Then we have the former sports idols of kids who have now become the health experts in the media. I guess they get coverage from media outlets keenn to get people to watch their programs - poor practice I would say as a life long health professional.

The Australian government has a lot to answer for when it allows the content of this article to be its front line approach.

I did however see another article on the weekend that the American First Lady has made a commitment to reducing childhood obesity, so have contacted well known Dr to ask for assistance on this.

Let's hope that Michele Obama will be more successful at making strategic and purposeful change than either of the last two administrations in the US or Australia.

Health nazis losing obesity war as pies return to school canteens

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25636029-5001021,00.html

THE Aussie pie, pizzas and sausage rolls are back in school canteens as the war against child obesity falters and threatens to collapse.

Lollies, ice creams, chips and even banned sports drinks have also re-emerged on school menus because thousands of families are snubbing healthier foods. Nutritionists and dietitians are desperately trying to rescue the $750,000 school health campaign launched five years ago by former Premier Bob Carr.

They are offering "low fat" Aussie beef pies, pizzas made with wholemeal pita bread and vegetables and chicken burgers to children who turn their noses up at salads and wraps. The anti-health push is greatest at secondary level where students leave school grounds to eat at local fast food outlets or order in takeaway pizza on their mobile phones.

Dietitians have told The Daily Telegraph some schools are offering pies to children three times a day - at breakfast, recess and lunch. In a bid to reverse the trend the Healthy Kids School Canteen Association is taking over some school food operations. Low fat pies, pizzas and sausage rolls, with ingredients that meet health guidelines and home-made lasagne are now the front line items aimed at winning customers back.

Friday is pie and pizza day at Holy Cross Primary School at Glenwood in Sydney's west - portion sizes limited to healthy amounts - and the kids are lining up to get their orders. Canteen Association dietitian Jennifer Madz said Holy Cross would become a template across the state.

"The problem is parents see the canteen as a treat and expect treat food there. We are trying to change the behaviour," Ms Madz said. "High schools are a special problem where students with money in their pockets go off campus to lunch in local fast food outlets. We are working on a plan to combat that."

Canteens hit by the global recession claim profits have been eroded as students resist low-fat menus.

While most sugary drinks are banned from school canteens, the food industry has manipulated some products to get around the rules. To get a non-milk-based gelato accepted the manufacturer added calcium and reduced the portion size.

Banned Powerade became "Powerade Light" and juice was carbonated and sold in a can so children would think it was a softdrink. Under the nutrition rules foods are divided into red (no more than twice a term), amber (to be selected carefully and in smaller servings) and green (fill the menu) categories. But enforcement has been almost non-existent and the Catholic and independent school sectors are not bound by them