A good romp around the playground before lunch could make all the difference in the health and behavior of schoolchildren, according to some education experts.

Schools that schedule recess before lunch report that students consume more fruits and vegetables and exhibit fewer behavioral problems, according to an article in The New York Times.

Kids are calmer after recess, a New Jersey principal told The Times. The principal went on to say that students feel less rushed and have more time to eat.

North Ranch Elementary in Scottsdale, Ariz. adopted the idea about nine years ago after a nurse suggested the change, the article says. By the end of the first year, visits to the nurse's office dropped by 40 percent.

The information comes at a time when officials, including First Lady Michelle Obama, are grappling with ways to battle childhood obesity. Nearly one-third of children in America are overweight or obese, and almost half of all African American and Latino children will eventually suffer from diabetes, Mrs. Obama said.
Last week, she unveiled a broad initiative to combat childhood obesity. The measure, which takes effect next months, includes increasing the number of "healthy schools,'' where children have access to more physical activity and nutritious diets.

"Many parents tell me that they want to prepare healthy food for their kids, but there aren't any supermarkets where they live that sell fresh produce,'' she said during a speech at the U.S Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., where she unveiled the initiative. "...They tell me they want their kids to be physically active, but their schools have cut gym and recess, and there've been cuts to sports and afterschool recreation programs too...Ultimately, it's going to take all of us...working together to help families make commonsense changes so our kids can get and stay healthy.''

Recess before lunch is a good effort in the fight against obesity, but the plan may be difficult to implement in urban districts, where it is most needed because lower-income children may start the day hungry, a medical expert pointed out in the article. These students may not have the energy to romp around the playground before lunch. Still, people are doing more than just talking about the problem. They are searching for solutions, which is more than what's been done in the past.