The role of schools in preventing childhood obesity.

Obesity is increasing in the United States, not only among adults, but also among children and youth (1). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the incidence of children at risk for being overweight or obese has doubled in the last two decades (2). Schools can play a role in preventing childhood obesity by serving healthy meals with adequate calories and nutrients, providing nutrition education that encourages healthful food selections, offering opportunities for physical activity and creating school environments that model healthful behaviors.