Lauren, 10th grade, and Megan, 9th grade, are students at Lexington High School in Colombia, South Carolina. They are active participants in the Congaree Area Girl Scout Council. In 2004, they each participated in a council-wide service project called "Passport to Fitness," which addressed the issue of childhood obesity. I interviewed them by e-mail.
CFK: What are your thoughts on childhood obesity?
L&M: It is a big problem, and teens need to learn more about it.
CFK: Tell me about school lunch.
L&M: It's gross. The healthy things they offer us taste bad. The thing they sell the most are fries. That's what most people eat. A lot of kids don't eat (because the food is so poor in quality). Every now and then, we don't even eat. We just eat a good breakfast and come home and eat after school.
CFK: What kinds of meals are healthy and tasty?
L&M: Healthy and tasty have a balance of good fats and carbohydrates. Maybe baked chicken, fish. Lots of green veggies (that are fresh!) Sometimes the quality of our fresh food isn't that great.
CFK: What do you think schools need to teach students about nutrition and physical activity?
L&M: That the decisions they make today will influence their lives later. That they wouldn't feel so tired all the time if they'd get rest and exercise. Our Passport to Fitness (a Girl Scouts of America program) theme was "It's all about balance." We'd like to see kids learn that anything in excess is bad.
CFK: How can schools make those lessons fun and interesting for students?
L&M: Make them feel like they're making their own decisions. Kids want to be in control of their choices. Reward them for good choices.
CFK: What would make a great physical activity at school?
L&M: Maybe have a couple of field days each year and award prizes to people who participate. Have a contest for the greatest number of footsteps in a week.
CFK: Do you think your school has a responsibility to you and your classmates to ensure that you eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and learn about leading a healthy life? Why?
L&M: Yes, they do. Our parents teach us to do those things, but some parents don't, especially as kids get older.
CFK: What have the Girl Scouts of America program taught you about those topics?
L&M: Our Passport to Fitness project helped me realize that there are many ways to exercise and stay fit, not just the traditional ones. You can make good food choices more easily than I thought, too.
CFK: During the school day, your school already regulates what you can wear, what you can learn, where you can go, etc. How much can the schools regulate what you eat? Is it effective to ban unhealthy food options? Why or why not?
L&M: I think the school can offer healthy options, but not regulate what kids eat. If they don't like the choices, they just won't eat! It's better to have them buy into the whole idea of trying to eat better.
CFK: How have students responded to food regulations in the past?
L&M: They hate it. It's awful. People are so upset. The school is going to lose a lot of money. A lot of kids are not going to eat next year.
CFK: You mentioned that some of your classmates are really upset about the changes in food options. What does your school need to do to help your classmates feel positive about these changes?
L&M: Maybe not make the changes so drastic and so quick. The changes were made over the summer and nobody really asked us what we thought. I think it would be cool to offer tokens for good food choices and the kids could maybe redeem them for time out of class or as a homework pass.
CFK: How would you feel if your school district banned the sale of Girl Scout cookies on campus because some might say that they are junk food? Would the Girl Scouts of America try to sell something healthier?
L&M: I don't think we could sell something else because that is what we are known for. They are trying to make them reduced fat. If we got rid of cookies, that would kill Girl Scouts.
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