DALLAS - Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution" has caught America's attention. It's his attempt to change eating habits in one West Virginia town, which is the most obese in the country.
The show prompted WFAA to take a closer look at the North Texas area; what was found wasn't good.
In the most recent report detailing obesity, the state health department said two out of three adults are overweight or obese. As for children, one in three are obese.
For many youngsters, school is often the only guaranteed meal of the day. WFAA found one school making a big change.
High on the third floor of a small Oak Cliff school, a food revolution has begun.
"It seems more like a TV dinner," said Marci Adams, with the Kessler School, while referring to school lunches.
Adams recently decided to provide healthier options at the school. She found a caterer to bring in nutritious meals.
The meats, even in the turkey corny dog, are all fresh and lean. The fruits are mostly organic. Children only get what their parents choose in advance.
While all the selections aren't big hits, the adults at the school expect change to come slowly.
"You have to train the kids, I think, to eat better," said Casie Caldwell, Greenz. "I think if kids are used to eating french fries and you plop a plate of vegetables in front of them, they're going to choose the french fries. It's a gradual process."
Gradually, the grownups have found with extra effort and a little encouragement, children will eat healthier foods.
The healthy meals aren't cheap, costing about $6 each. Parents who buy the meals believe the price for being unhealthy is ultimately much higher.
When it comes to food, private schools don't have to follow the same rules as public schools.
Dallas Independent School District officials said while they would like to make better choices, they said they are locked by federal nutrition requirements and money.
E-mail: jstjames@wfaa.com
