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A new report from Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), a national non-profit group that addresses obesity, states while schools have adopted wellness policies and made some changes for the better, there is a need for schools to make broader, systemic changes to improve the quality of food served and the number of physical activity opportunities available. However, the report, entitled Progress or Promises? What's Working For and Against Healthy Schools, identifies gaps in school administrators’ perceptions that schools already do provide students with quality foods and adequate physical activity.

The report stresses the importance of focusing on and providing nutrient-rich foods like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, whole grains and fruits and vegetables, instead of working only to eliminate unhealthy foods and beverages. It states that children consume too many calories and not enough nutrients.

National Dairy Council (NDC) supports the AFHK report, and notes that most children and adolescents are not getting enough of the key vitamins and minerals needed to grow up strong and healthy. In today’s economically troubled times, more schools across the country are struggling to secure a place for nutritious kid-appealing meals within school nutrition budgets. It’s important to remember that many nutrient-rich foods, such as milk, are a good economic and nutrition value because they pack in many essential nutrients at a low cost per serving. Penny for penny, dairy is one of the best nutrition values of any food group. AFHK encourages schools to follow the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, including recommendations for 3 daily servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy products.

The full report and Executive Summary are available at http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/special_exclusive.php.