Vermont is often hailed as the healthiest state in the country, but a quarter of the state's children are obese. That's why the Greater Burlington YMCA's Eat Well Play More Vermont and Live Healthy Vermont have launched an Initiative to address childhood obesity in schools. "Children spend over 30 hours a week at school," said LHV coordinator Peter Sterling at an October 14 press conference. "If we want them to form healthy behaviors that will last a lifetime, changes in the school day must be part of the mix." The proposed physical-activity and nutrition changes aren't rocket science — some are as simple as making sure K-12 students get half an hour of physical activity a day. The State Board of Education is currently considering these and other public recommendations as it reviews the Vermont Education Quality Standards. Stay tuned for a progress report.

Initiative to Address Childhood Obesity in Schools: Read more about the initiative at gbymca.org, and visit education.vermont.gov for more information about proposed changes to the Education Quality Standards.