March 7, 2005 — The Food and Nutrition Services at all territorial public schools will be adopting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
"The new guidelines represent a tremendous amount of research completed by scientists over the past year and a half. Their study focused on understanding the causes and prevention of the United States newest epidemic, obesity among our school children," said Dr. Noreen Michael, Commissioner of Education. "Like the USDA, we believe that schools should take a leadership role in teaching students to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices. Further, I encourage parents to ask about changes being adopted in our school meal programs and to educate themselves relative to the new Dietary Guidelines."
The new guidelines include limiting saturated and trans fats, cholestherol, added sugars, salt or alcohol, managing weight, and getting regular exercise.