22 Jul 2013

American Samoan schools step up exercise to fight flab

3:34 pm on 22 July 2013

In an effort to fight non communicable diseases and get American Samoa students moving towards a healthy lifestyle, the Department of Education is making changes to physical education classes and restricting access to junk food.

The new policies will go into effect in the new school year.

Physical education classes have usually been 30 minutes long, but the director of education, Vaitinasa Salu Hunkin Finau says they will be extended to one hour so students get as much

exercise as possible.

She says school cafeterias are ready to provide basic healthy foods but the problem is students buy junk food before they arrive at school or during recess.