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Contact: Van Tran 816-756-3580 ext.4244

May 22, 2008


KCPT Continues to Explore Measures to Combat Childhood Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyles

Generation XL: The Battle Over School Vending Machines Airs on Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m.

(KANSAS CITY)—They have become a lucrative source of revenue for school districts everywhere. But they have also become one of the most visible symbols of America's war against childhood obesity.

In the next installment of Generation XL, host Nick Haines takes a closer look at the big money being plowed into area school districts by large beverage and snack companies and the efforts being made by some schools to eliminate soda and high fat candy bars and chips from their vending machines. Generation XL: The Battle Over School Vending Machines will premiere on Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m.

Will kids choose healthy snacks and drinks if that's the only choice they have? Or will they just bring in those products they crave from the outside?

Last year, the Blue Valley School District in Kansas announced a $38,000 drop in revenue after they banned non-diet soft drinks in high school vending machines. District officials say they've been forced to find new ways to make up the balance.

Are some schools making it work? And are some schools going too far?

Host Nick Haines digs for answers on the next GENERATION XL: The Battle Over School Vending Machines.

Generation XL is a yearlong community project of KCPT examining school policy and the battle against childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles. It is funded in part by a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Greater Kansas City. For more information on Generation XL, go to www.kcpt.org/genxl.

--KCPT--