The majority of NYC elementary schools lack nutrition education, study says

NEW YORK — It's no secret that there is a big national effort to combat childhood obesity by providing healthy food choices in public schools. But it's not enough to offer kids fruits and vegetables; they need education about why apples and carrots are better for them than potato chips.

While New York City has made progress in providing healthy food and nutrition education, public schools reopened this week with a majority -- 61 percent -- still not providing nutrition education programs designed and provided by outside experts, according to a study released by the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College. The Center is calling for a goal to double programs by 2020.