Teen Health Today

Teen Health Today

Should Schools Offer Hikes Instead Of Detention?

A new alternative shows promise. PLUS: California bans ultraprocessed foods in school lunches, and teachers try to protect immigrant students.

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Christopher Pepper
Oct 19, 2025
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  • I’m Christopher Pepper, an award-winning health educator and the co-author of Talk To Your Boys.

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In this edition:

  • California Becomes The First State To Phase Ultraprocessed Food Out Of School Meals

  • School Offers Hikes Instead Of Detention. Teachers Are Seeing Results.

  • These Students Are Scared. Friends and Teachers Are Their Protectors.

  • New York City Sues U.S. After School Aid Is Cut Over Gender Policies

  • No Amount Of Alcohol Is Safe, At Least For Dementia Risk, Study Finds

  • Short Exercise Workouts Can Boost Classroom Performance

  • Kids Who Use Social Media Score Lower On Reading And Memory Tests, A Study Shows


California Becomes The First State To Phase Ultraprocessed Food Out Of School Meals (NBC)

By Aria Bendix: A new law will make California the first state to phase some ultraprocessed food out of school meals.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday that prohibits public schools from serving children what it describes as “ultraprocessed foods of concern” in breakfasts or lunches. The policy sets a 10-year deadline for the change to take place.

It defines such foods as those that pose the greatest risks to consumers based on scientific evidence of adverse health outcomes, and it directs the state Public Health Department to determine which particular products meet the definition by June 2028. READ MORE


silhouette of three men falling in line while walking during golden hour
Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash

School Offers Hikes Instead Of Detention. Teachers Are Seeing Results. (Washington Post)

By Kyle Melnick: Leslie Trundy, a Maine high school counselor and avid hiker, was excited to offer students an option to hike instead. Some students were less enthusiastic.

“I kind of thought it would be boring,” sophomore Alexander Soto said.

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