State Plans To Win Childhood Obesity War

July 3, 2008

In light of the recent report by the Texas Education Agency saying schools are flunking in physical fitness, Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples wants to get back to the 3E's for Healthy Living - Education, Exercise and Eating Right.

"Texas is at war with a deadly obesity epidemic, and frankly, we are losing," Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. "Taxpayers are footing the bill for poor eating choices and we must change the trend."

Commissioner Staples wants schools and parents to adopt the three-pronged approach to battle obesity among Texas youth. This call to action becomes even more critical in light of results from a state-approved fitness assessment of more than 2 million Texas students. The study reveals student physical fitness levels declines as they progress to the next grade level.

Commissioner Staples has toured the state encouraging schools to adopt the 3Es. Since the implementation of the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy, several Texas schools have already been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for outstanding nutrition and healthy breakfast/lunch options.

"I recognize the progress schools are making by improving the nutritional value of school meals and enhancing overall child health," Commissioner Staples said. "But we are losing our children after the school day is done. Texas must adopt a more comprehensive approach that results in overall healthier lifestyles and healthier students."

Commissioner Staples is looking forward to working with the Legislature to make the 3Es as recognizable to students as the 3Rs were to previous generations.