School Wellness
recommended daily amounts of fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains as well as
low-fat and nonfat dairy products to
strengthen bones and build healthy
bodies (Gleason & Suitor, 2001). Children and youth in poor communities—
which often have limited or no access
to fresh fruits and vegetables, along
with other disparities—are especially
vulnerable.
Equally disturbing is the fact that
young people are not moving enough,
at home or at school. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (Duke,
Huhman, & Heitzler, 2003) found that
about 62 percent of children ages 9–13
did not participate in any organized
physical activity during their nonschool
hours, and 23 percent did not engage in
any free-time physical activity. Black and
Hispanic children were significantly less
likely than non-Hispanic white children
to report involvement in organized
activities, as were children with parents
who had lower incomes and education
© SUSIE FITZHUGH
Young people
are not moving
enough, at home
or at school.
