Research

Blubber: Despite a government mandate that school lunches and breakfasts meet federal dietary guidelines, some middle school students get half - not the recommended third - of their daily fat allowance in school cafeteria lunches, researchers say.

School-made lunches had the highest fat content of the foods studied, but school breakfasts and a la carte items such as pizza, along with candy and chips sold at student-run stores, also contributed to high fat consumption by students, said Dr. James Sallis of the University of California-San Diego, lead author of the study.

Researchers estimated students ate about 26 grams of fat at school, about 30 percent more than the 20 grams recommended, and 14 percent more saturated fat than recommended. The study covered 24 middle schools in San Diego County, including in the study school-prepared foods, candy and chips sold, and homemade lunches.

Federal guidelines recommend eating 65 grams of fat per day. Students should get about 20 while at school, earlier research suggests.

Students seemed to favor higher-fat menu items - pizza, for example, instead of a chef salad - but researchers were surprised to see that they chose wisely when they packed their lunch. Bag lunches were relatively low in fat.

Calendar

Waterworks: Miami Township is offering Splash into Exercise, beginning Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. at the Milford High School pool. The 45-minute class focuses on cardiovascular endurance and strength. Cost: $40 for residents; $50 for non-residents. Registration: 248-3725, Ext. 116.

Training day: The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and Mercy Health Partners will sponsor free training clinics to help runners get ready for the May 4 marathon: Wednesday, Mercy HealthPlex-Western Hills; Thursday, Thomas More College Administration Building, Crestview Hills; Jan. 29, Mercy HealthPlex-Anderson; Jan. 30, Bob Roncker's Running Spot, O'Bryonville. Clinics start at 6:30 p.m. Registration for the race opens Feb. 1. Information: 721-7447 or www.flyingpigmarathon.com.

Training workshop: Bob Roncker's Running Spot will offer an eight-week training course for the Humana Heart Mini-Marathon. An informational meeting will be 1 p.m. Feb. 1 at the store, 1993 Madison Road, O'Bryonville. Information: 321-3006.

Tips

Be safe: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers parents these tips for keeping their young skiers and snowboarders safe:

• Use helmets, warm clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses or goggles. Snowboarders should wear wrist guards and knee pads.

• Consider lessons so the child learns to fall safely, stop, turn and get up.

• Learn the rules of the road: People uphill or on the course ahead of you have the right of way.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com