Ogden Standard-Examiner | 1922-12-31 | Page 19 | Nutrition Plan for Children

Rll PLAN FOX CHILDREN Results of Demonstration at Farr West Recounted By Home Agent How to better the nutritional status of the school children Is a vital problem prob-lem for Weber county people to solve according tD Miss Ellen Agren. home 'demonstration agent. She said: i "Statistic obtained from weighing 1 and measuring school children laat year showed that moro than SO per cent of the Weber county school children chil-dren were under weight for their , height. While it H conceded that the serving of one hot dish at the school lunch period Is an excellent thing for the children, yet it has also proved to be inadequate In bringing the children chil-dren up to weight for height. "Mrs. Christine B. Clayton, of the Ftah Agricultural college extension service, who Is assisting in nutrition work In the state, met with the homo agent and a tentative plan was worked work-ed out which would procure better cooperation of the parents, children and the school. This plan to bo tried out in a school where tho one hot dish was being served at the noon period. DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL. "The Farr West school was the one chosen as a demonstration school to try out this plan of home follow-up. B. A. Fowler, county superintendent of schools. Charlotte Kunz, county school nurse. Charles Owens, school principal, and the rest of the teach- ; ing force of the Farr West school are cooperating with the extension service to the fullest extent In putting over this piece of work The parents' In-trri In-trri st and cooperation Is being sought and has been obtained to marked degree. AVERAGE FIGURED. "After the Farr West school Waal decided upon as a test school, the chit- i dren wero weighed and measured and the percentage over weight or under weight figured out for each child. Tj stimulate . interest, different colored , stars are being used on the class weight-height record to show the children chil-dren and the teachers where cam child stands In physical fitness from the weight-height relationship. Thoi following rhyme Is used In this connection con-nection with the stars to correspond: "White is all right up to weight and height: Blue won't do 1 to 7 per cent be-' low weight for height, lied, danger ahead 7 or more per cent below weight for heigh n. RESULTS NOTED. "The survey made a month ago brought out tho following startling facts: "Ninety-nine children were welghdj and measured. Only 18 white stars were given, meaning only IS children were up to weight. Twenty-five blu3 stars were given, meaning that tnts many children are from 1 to 7 per cent under weight; 50 red stars were given, which means that G6 out of the 99 are from 7 to 23 per cent under we ight for their height or in what Is termed a malnourished state. "The cooperation of one of our local lo-cal specialists In children diseases ha been secured and he has agreed tp see that the children who are in tno red star class arc given a thorough physical examination. The purpose of this examination is to find out if the-e is any apparent physical handlcnp' which prevents the child from gaining. gain-ing. The parents h;t' been consulted and ar- giving their cooperation m this matter. They will be Invited to' be present when their child Is being ev a mined." Tho chances are. Miss Agren said, that the children in the other county schools wftl measure up in the same proportion. oo