Effort to combat childhood obesity in Pa. moves forward

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A proposal that backers say would be the most comprehensive in the nation to motivate public schools to combat childhood obesity has a preliminary stamp of approval.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Education voted today to advance a draft regulation that would set a minimum daily exercise requirement of 30 minutes and toughen nutritional guidelines for fat and calories in public schools.

The vote was 15-1. The draft still faces a public review by lawmakers and a state regulatory board that could take months.

The measure would greatly increase the exercise that most students currently get during school hours and banish many of the processed foods served in schools.

The concept has support from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, although a representative said concerns remain over cost and scheduling.