Lawton Public Schools Recognized

OICA intern and journalism senior Lara Saavedra
Photo by: Motahareh Hajimirzaei

Click here to watch SoundSlides on Saavedra's experience with the program.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy recognized the Lawton Public School system for it's initiative in combating childhood obesity and promoting health and wellness.

The Advocacy group visited 10 Lawton schools in order to applaud the Lawton Fit Kids program.

Lawton Fit Kids is part of the Lawton Public Schools Wellness Project. The program integrates healthy eating and physical activity as core values for the school system, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy intern, Lara Saavedra said.

As part of the program, students are offered a variety of dining options, including healthy choices. Fryers have also been removed from all of the elementary school's kitchens. View a complete list of the programs initiatives and changes here.

Funding for the program comes mainly from grant money and donations, Saavedra said.

"When a child isn't healthy they don't learn," Saavedra said. "Children are growing entities, growing beings, you have to feed the the right thing for them to do well."

According to The National Survey of Children's Health, the percent of children who were overweight in 2007 is 15.4 percent. Governor Brad Henry recently addressed concerns regarding the obesity rate on his website. View the Governor's statement here.

To learn more about The Lawton Fit Kids program, or to donate to the cause, visit www.lawtonfitkids.org.