Restructuring Local School Wellness Policies: Amending the Kids Act to Fight Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a major problem plaguing the United States. Over one-third of children are overweight, and there is little indication that this trend will reverse in the near future. The federal government has attempted to combat childhood obesity through the National School Lunch Act, which regulates the quality of foods federally subsidized schools may serve to children, and provides broad goals for physical activity. These basic goals leave extensive room for states to implement different standards, and they are not sufficient to effectively confront the childhood obesity problem. This Note proposes amendments to the National School Lunch Act that increase the requirements for physical activity for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. By raising the standards and forcing schools to increase actual physical activity among children, the United States can begin to take strides in the right direction to combat childhood obesity.