Research led by Integral scientist Cynthia Curl Henderson to address childhood obesity and school nutrition has resulted in legislative action in Connecticut.
Ms. Henderson spent the 2003-2004 school year conducting a comprehensive study to evaluate the impact of the school nutrition and physical activity environments on children’s health. This study involved site surveys and staff and student interviews at 62 schools in Connecticut, including schools from all eight counties and each of the nine economic groups defined by the State Board of Education. Results of this study along with a series of recommended changes to improve overall student health were published in a report entitled The State of Nutrition and Physical Education in Our Schools. Click here for a PDF of the full report
Due in part to the study’s findings and recommendations, State Representative Mary Mushinsky has proposed An Act Concerning School Nutrition This Bill (No. 1174) would require a number of changes to the school environment that were recommended as a result of the statewide study. The Bill has been referred to the House and Senate Committees on Education. Click here to track progression of the bill through the Connecticut State Legislature