Approximately 25 million children in the United States are currently overweight or nearly overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The World Health Organization estimates that more people are now overweight and obese than hungry in the world – with the U.S. leading the way.

Schools can play an important role in combating this trend. Yet 72 percent of school PTO and PTA leaders graded their schools with a “B� or “C� when it comes to physical education and recess, according to a recent PTO Today Go Play! survey of nearly 600 people. Most respondents said sporting equipment, playgrounds and field trips are most needed in their schools.

Here in the Lower Hudson Valley, schools have been expanding gym offerings to appeal to a wider spectrum of children. There are now gym classes with salsa aerobics, kickboxing and even firefighting lessons.

And a new federal mandate that schools adopt “Wellness Policies� is helping to address childhood obesity. Some of the Wellness Policies here in the Lower Hudson Valley are pretty impressive. In Katonah-Lewisboro, for instance, the cafeterias have been purged of all processed foods and only freshly cooked meals are prepared, with local produce being used as much as possible.

Does your school put enough energy into physical education and healthy eating?