Star-Tribune Editorial Board

Not all federal intrusions into our lives are bad. Witness a federal law that requires school districts to establish local school wellness policies.

This isn't a case of the government pushing costly, one-size-fits-all requirements. Each district is allowed to develop its own policy to promote nutrition and physical education in its schools.

To comply with the 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, the Natrona County School District consulted administrators, teachers, parents, students, food managers, health professionals and other interested parties.

The policy just started this fall, and it hasn't had time to achieve measurable results. But the district appears right on track with its goals and how it expects to achieve them.

Students will have the opportunity to change their eating habits and become healthier. While the district has no control over what students eat at home and elsewhere, officials hope providing nutritious options at school will help them make healthier choices all day.

Perhaps the most promising element of the district's effort is the creation of "nutrition bars" at elementary schools. Students receive the basic entree but choose their side dishes: corn, apples, pineapple, carrots, oranges, whole wheat rolls and other fresh food.

For those of us who grew up with predictable lunches of hamburger gravy and canned pears, that sounds mighty appealing.

If students can develop nutritious habits in elementary school, they are likelier to maintain those habits once they reach high school and have the option to leave school for lunch.

Natrona's policy addresses the needs of older students, too. They have a wider variety of healthier foods available, both in the cafeteria and in vending machines.

The policy hopes to influence behavior in other areas of students' lives. It encourages school fundraising activities such as walk-a-thons and discourages the sale of candy and pastries.

Over time, the policy stands a good chance of improving students' eating and physical activity habits. In turn, today's students are likely to teach their own children about healthier lifestyles.

If a federal law helps that happen, it could be one of the most worthwhile laws Congress has put on the books in recent years.