Junior League initiative battles childhood obesity

If Bentley Mendez had his way, meal planning would be simple.

Bentley, 10, would have pepperoni pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Of course, his parents won't permit it - and he knows that a daily pizza diet is neither practical nor nutritious.

"It's not good," said Bentley, a fourth-grader at Folger-McKinsey Elementary School in Severna Park. "(Eating healthy) helps me play sports and not get tired."

For him, that means meals that include lots of fruits and vegetables, some meat, and milk and cheese. His mother, Carole Mendez, president of the Junior League of Annapolis, allows Bentley and her two...