healthy schools

As a third-grader in Winsted, Connecticut, last year, Matthew Asselin was sick -- a lot. He was lethargic and plagued with a persistent wet cough, respiratory infections and painful headaches.

Cigarette and alcohol use among teens is at the lowest level in decades, but marijuana use is on the rise, according to a survey released on Wednesday.

Government health experts recommended that all children be tested for high cholesterol before they reach puberty, in an effort to get an early start in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Five years ago, Richard Reiss, the physical education teacher at Public School 197 in Far Rockaway, Queens, went to the principal with a problem: not even the most athletic among his students, most of whom are poor and black or Latino, had enough endurance to run a mile.

The new vending machine sat unnoticed as students rushed past its baby carrots, yogurt smoothies and hummus to neighbors dispensing Snapple, Doritos, Goldfish and Cheez-It. The lunch period was nearly over before a potential customer stopped to check out its offerings. No sale.

Perth Amboy (N.J.) Public Schools appears to be an exception in a state in which most school districts serve breakfast to a fraction of its eligible students, including districts that have a high concentrations of children from low-income families.