Schools buck the obesity trend

Three groups that promote children's health like what the see at two Ventura County
schools.
The Environmental Academy of Research Technology and Earth Science School in
Newbury Park and Lang Ranch School in Thousand Oaks were recognized recently
by the American Cancer Society, in collaboration with the PTA and California Action
for Healthy Kids, for promoting school wellness.
Twenty awards were given in the state. The academy received the only platinum
award, and Lang Ranch got a silver honor.
"I am thrilled that the work of our Wellness Committee and PTA is being honored at
the highest level, as the ultimate winners of this accolade are our children," said
Jennifer Boone, principal of the academy.
Adonna Ebrahimi, chairwoman of the wellness committee at the academy, thinks the
campus' efforts to promote healthful eating, physical activity and a tobacco-free life
are the reasons it received the platinum award.
"It's also important to show sustainability of the program from one year to the next,"
Ebrahimi said. "I have been working on this for three years."
The academy also did healthful-food promotions monthly. Pupils tasted samples of
recipes such as mashed maple squash and lima bean hummus served with pita chip
and carrots.
"It's great peer pressure," Ebrahimi said. "When they see their buddy next to them
trying it, they are more apt to taste it. This year the kids got to vote with thumbs-up
and thumbs-down stickers."