MEASURE TO IMPLEMENT HEALTHY HABITS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING

Senator Millett sponsors bill to reduce childhood obesity

AUGUSTA—Senator Rebecca Millett (D-Cape Elizabeth) introduced a measure to eliminate practices in our public schools that are detrimental to student health.

In 2012, the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reported that by 2030 over half of all Mainers would be obese. This contributes to both a reduction in quality of life and rising health care costs.

“At school, our children learn valuable life skills, including reading, and cooperation. School is also an opportunity to establish healthy eating and exercise habits,” said Senator Millett. “Withholding recess and using candy as a reward are not healthy habits for our children to learn.”

The measure would require public schools ensure children in kindergarten through fifth grade have at least thirty minutes of physical activity each school day. Currently, teachers and school administrators may take away recess as a disciplinary action. This bill would require a teacher to provide students with a substitute option for physical activity if the student’s recess is taken away.

Furthermore, the bill would prohibit using food, or candy, as a reward. Some teachers provide candy or other treats to students when they complete a certain task, answer a question correctly, or demonstrate other commendable behavior.

“While the thought behind such practices in understandable, in reality they do not help, but rather hurt, the health of students” said Senator Millett. “Taking away the opportunity to exercise or encouraging the consumption of sweets gives our students the wrong message about their health.”

The bill, LD 1160, “An Act to Reduce Obesity Among School Children,” will have a work session in the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee later this session.

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