Healthy schools: Week of 10/4/10 news wrap-up

Too much fat and sugar A new study finds that nearly 40 percent of U.S. kids’ calorie consumption comes from solid fat and added sugars. These so-called “empty calories,” mainly in soda, pizza and desserts, are fueling the obesity epidemic among young people and putting them at risk for developing weight-related illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, the U.S. government researchers said. Read more in Business Week.

Dangers of too much screen time Reuters Health writes about a Chinese study showing that online habits can affect a teen’s mental health.

State’s best PE teacher Read the Colorado Hometown Weekly story about the Fireside Elementary School teacher in Boulder Valley schools who got the attention of her students – and her peers by innovations to PE.

Dougco schools get active Read about all the things happening in Douglas County schools to get – and keep – students and faculty moving.

Kids Rock Denver is a 1-mile fun run sponsored by Denver Public Schools. The event from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 16, encourages kids to partake in a modified marathon program, which involves accumulating 25.2 miles before race day, and completing the final mile of the marathon with the main race.

Teen mental health update Teens who feel they are an important part of their family or who have a trusted family confidant are more likely to become healthy functioning adults, according to a study recently released by the journal Child and Adolescent Mental Health, according to this PR Newswire release.

How to fix school food Chez Panisse founder and owner and leader of the local food movement Alice Waters talks to CNN about how to fix school food in this video.

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