Program offers students much-needed alternative

With childhood obesity plaguing many of America’s youth the Russellville Elementary Schools is stepping up to help battle the epidemic thanks to a new program.

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program will offer students healthier snacks in an effort to help change unhealthy snacking habits.

As many younger children switch from playing sports in their back yards to playing sports on video games, they are burning fewer calories. Coupling that habit with unhealthy snacks such as potato chips and candy can have a devastating effect on those children’s health. If the children can learn to eat healthy at a young age it will help prevent the onset of diabetes, heart disease and other problems associated with obesity.

Learning new habits is much easier at a younger age. The administrators at Russellville Elementary School recognized this and took action to make sure the next generation of students grows up healthy.