Dear Parents,

We need your support in helping our school promote a healthy lifestyle for all of our students. Our school is working towards establishing a healthy and nutritious environment where students have opportunities to learn and practice making healthy food choices. Good nutrition is imperative to peak academic performance and for long term health.

Childhood obesity is now a national epidemic. Studies show that 70-80% of overweight children will likely become overweight adults. Obesity is one of the greatest risk factors from any of today’s health problems and this generally begins in childhood.

Heart disease is the #1 cause of health in South Carolina. An alarming number of children are developing Type II Diabetes, a disease that use used to be known as adult onset diabetes and only occurred in adulthood. South Carolina also has a high rate of stroke, pulmonary disease and certain cancers. All of these diseases are considered life-style related, and children need to be taught that many of these diseases can be prevented by eating healthier, exercising and avoiding tobacco products.

Nutritional deficiencies have a negative impact on children’s school performance, their ability to concentrate and perform complex tasks, as well as their behavior. Childhood obesity can cause emotional and social problems as well. Schools are the perfect place to create an environment for children where healthy lifestyles are consistently reinforced. Lifetime eating habits and exercise are learned as children. School is the perfect place to create an environment for children where healthy lifestyles are consistently reinforced. We need to turn these negative tends around.

Please help us improve the nutrition environment in our school. When sending snacks to schools, please consider sending healthier choices such as those listed below.

• Popcorn
• Flavored yogurt
• Pretzels
• Low fat cheese and crackers
• Raw vegetable sticks
• Low sodium crackers
• Fresh fruit
• Baked chips
• Dried fruits (raisins, banana chips, etc.)
• Sugar fee jello
• Trail mix
• Low fat pudding
• Dry roasted peanuts, almonds, etc.
• 100% fruit juice
• Party mix (variety of cereals, nuts, pretzels, etc.)
• Low fat milk
• Frozen fruit juice pops
• Ice cold water
• Low fat ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet

These are only suggestions for healthier snacks. We urge you to read labels and make selections that are lower in fat and sugar. Also, encourage daily exercise. Children can learn to participate in activities that they enjoy such as bike riding, skating, or walking.

Please remember: Lifetime Eating and exercise habits are learned as children. The children are our future. If we all work together, we can make a difference in the lives of our children how and for generations to come.