There’s little debate that the dietary and fitness habits of Americans have worsened over the years. At Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s annual Health Fair, dietitians showed me just how our eating habits have changed. And the school district is trying to counter some of the unhealthier trends that are affecting Americans. (You can see the report here)Lawrence public schools launched an initiative last year to reduce unhealthy foods from school cafeterias and vending machines, while promoting fitness among students and staff. Maybe one day, Health.com will name Lawrence schools among the healthiest in the country, as it did with Leavenworth’s Anthony Elementary.So far, district officials say, the results have been as sweet as some of the foods they’ve removed from schools.”A lot of people thought the wellness initiative was a flavor of the month, but people are embracing it,” said Paula Murrish, the district’s director of food services.Students in our youth journalism program, Angle, have given mixed reviews of the updated menus, complaining about some of the blander foods offered, but also crowing with delight over other offerings, like parfaits.Since revising the menus last year, the district removed sugared cereals, high-fat/high-sugar items from the a la carte line, reduced fat content of salad dressings, increased the variety of fruits and vegetables, began offering low-fat (1 percent) and/or skim milk, while ensuring all juice products at the elementary and secondary levels contain 100 percent juice.This plays into the district’s 2008-09 goals of making sure that half of all grains served – in cereals, rice, pasta, breads and crackers – are whole grain, and offering at least one low-fat entree at lunch. A chef’s salad, topped with healthy meats, cheeses, eggs and beans, is also on this year’s menu.The district is cracking down on the traditional classroom party/celebration foods of pizza and cupcakes, encouraging healthier, low-fat, low-sugar alternatives. And Murrish is pushing to give students more time to eat, which keeps kids from scarfing down food, which is unhealthy.The district has appointed health and wellness liaisons to every school, and even hired a staff wellness coordinator to oversee efforts for district employees.Tracy Williams, the wellness coordinator, said the district is helping employees get in shape, offering free workouts at gyms over the summer, coordinating a Weight Watchers program and even launching a district employee wellness Web site in early September.With more district employees on board, Williams and others expect health evangelism to seep into classrooms and into the home, arming parents and children with healthy ideas that will inspire them to eat better, exercise more and live a healthier life. Certainly eating well and exercising are cornerstones to a healthy foundation. What types of things do parents out there do to make sure their kids are eating well in school? What about at home?