From a recent PSBA Legislative Report:

Addressing the issue of childhood obesity, this week the State Board of Education voted its initial approval of a proposal to establish nutritional standards for competitive foods and beverages and to create new requirements for physical activity for students.  Created as amendments to the Chapter 12 regulations (Students and Student Services), new language sets nutritional standards for foods provided outside reimbursable school meals, including food served in classroom parties, fundraisers sold during the school day and items dispensed from school vending machines.  The standards would not apply to foods and beverages sold in connection with fundraisers or at school sponsored events held outside of the regular school day.

In addition, the proposal would require schools to provide at least 30 minutes of “physical activity” each day for students that can be achieved in a variety of ways as determined by the school. In addition, schools would have to provide 150 minutes of “physical education” per week for elementary students and 225 minutes each week for middle and secondary school students.  The proposal also contains various requirements for reporting and monitoring for compliance. [emphasis added]

How are schools going to manage this?! 30 minutes of PE a day for elementary, 45 minutes of PE a day for secondary students …

Related articles:

• Pennsylvania makes inroads into reducing child obesity (scienceblog.com)
• GSU professor finds link between obesity and federal school nutrition programs (scienceblog.com)