In 2005, Connecticut was the first state to pass legislation to only offer students water, milk and 100 percent juice in school coupled with a plan for schools to serve healthier foods. We believed, rightly, that school is the place that children learn more than the "three R's" but also life lessons on healthy eating choices.

75% of respondents said that a child’s overall health—including weight, nutrition and physical activity- has a major impact on his or her success in school.

Hartford, CT (February 9, 2012) — Today, The Connecticut Coalition Against Childhood Obesity released a statewide poll focusing on the severity of childhood obesity in Connecticut. The poll was sponsored by Save the Children and The American Heart Association.

The Coalition was recently formed to support legislative policies that will improve nutrition and physical activity in schools to reduce obesity. This month, the Coalition will release a 5-point policy agenda based on national best practices and models. The coalition intends to implement many of these policies in various education and health bills this legislative session.

All eyes are on our children and their futures while state legislators focus on education reform during this 2012 session.

In the course of this discussion, a crucial component of our children’s well-being must not be forgotten: their health.

Obesity rates among children, adolescents and adults have increased dramatically over the past four decades. Today, nearly 1 in 3 young people in the United States — more than 23 million — are overweight or obese and at greater risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems.