Improving School Nutrition “A Healthier Tomorrow For Our Children: A Message to Our Parents” Prepared by: Anita McCray, MPH Walden University PUBH 6165-4 Dr. Stephen Arnold Winter, 2009 My name is Anita McCray. Today I will be discussing the improvement of school nutrition.

Objectives Background Meeting Nutritional Requirements Barriers Overcoming Barriers Childhood Obesity Consequences Recommendations Conclusions References For this presentation, I will discuss the background, meeting nutritional requirements, barriers to providing nutritious food and encouraging healthy eating choices, overcoming barriers, recommendations, conclusions and then I will accommodate any questions that you may have.

Background The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Established in 1946 (180 billion lunches) Provides nutritionally balanced meals in US School food authorities (SFAs) Manages the program USDA reimburse funds & donates foods Requirements Must serve nutritious meals Adequate portion sizes Fruits & Vegetables Whole Milk Offer free/reduced lunches GAO, 2003 The National School lunch Program was established in 1946. This program has provided nutritionally balanced meals, free or low cost meals to children daily. To date over 180 billion lunches have been served to children. This program is currently being managed by School food authorities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, and state agencies. Each SFA that chooses to participate in the program receives donated food, and is also reimbursed for money spent from the USDA. In order to qualify for the program the schools must serve nutritious meals with whole milk that offer appropriate portion sizes for fruits and vegetables. In addition, they must also provide free and/or reduced lunches to children who are eligible. For every meal served, the federal government reimburses the states, who then reimburses the SFAs.

Meeting Nutritional Requirements Must serve nutritious meals Adequate portion sizes Fruits & Vegetables Whole Milk Offer free/reduced lunches Additional improvement is needed to encourage students to eat more healthy Reducing the average percent of calories from fat Promoting healthy eating nutrition education Reducing access to a variety of food and beverages from vending machines, school stores There are several nutritional requirements. Improvements such as offering free/reduced lunches, reducing the averages percent of calories from fat, promoting healthy eating nutrition education, and reducing access to a variety of food and beverages from vending machines and school stores.

Discuss Slide: This is a vending machine, a major barrier that contributes to childhood obesity

Barriers Encouraging healthy eating Limited time and resources available to teach nutrition education School principals and organizations are reluctant to limit the sale of food and beverages of limited nutritional value Financial barriers to providing nutritious meals Balancing budgets while providing meals that meet USDA nutrition School food service staff reluctant to adopt standardized recipes Does not include bacon fat, butter, cream, etc. Most popular foods GAO, 2003 There are barriers that infer with nutrition in school. Encouraging healthy eating, balancing budgets, and school food service staff reluctant to adopt standardized recipes should be considered to reduce barriers.

Barriers Continued Preparing healthy appealing foods That students will select and eat Introducing new items Decline in participation Impact budget Cafeteria competition Less healthful a la carte items vs. school lunches A la carte more appealing Cookies, candy, ice cream, and deep-fried foods Help balance cafeteria budgets A la carte confuses students GAO, 2003 Barriers the risk that students will not like the changes and will decline to participate. They noted that because food service programs are typically required to operate on a break-even basis, and student meal payments make up a large part of their revenue, a decline in participation could have a negative effect on the budget.

Overcoming Barriers Providing nutritious food Encouraging students to make healthy eating choices Schools taking actions to improve the nutritional quality of the food served To promote healthy eating habits Offer nutrition education both in and outside the classroom Limit students access to foods of limited nutritional value at school Community organizations and businesses to sponsor activities outside the classroom such as health fairs, family events, and nutrition awareness campaigns Additionally, state and federal agencies had a number of efforts in place to support local initiatives and community-wide collaborations GAO, 2003 Barriers can be overcame. Nutritious foods should be provided, encouraging students to make healthy eating choices, and promoting healthy eating habits, just to name a few.

Obese child, discuss the relationship between obesity and proper nutrition

Childhood Obesity The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006 The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6% Obese children are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese children had at least one CVD risk The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0 in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%. Obese children are more likely to have risk factors for CVD. In a population based sample of 5-17 year olds, 70% of obese children had at lease one CVD risk.

Consequences of Childhood Obesity In addition, children who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem Obese young people are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related disease CDC, 2008 In addition, children who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related disease.

Prevalence of Obesity Information was retrieved from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009

Recommendations Promote participation in USDA food assistance programs (e.g., the School Breakfast Program and School Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program) Advise parents and guardians about community-based food supplementation programs (e.g., food stamps; local food pantries; and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children {WIC}) Educate students and their families about the importance of eating breakfast Read the recommendations: National center for chronic disease prevention and health promotion, 2008 (Reference)

Conclusion Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents Approximately 80% of children who were overweight at aged 10–15 years were obese adults at age 25 years 25% of obese adults were overweight as children Healthy People 2010 identified overweight and obesity as 1 of 10 leading health indicators and called for a reduction in the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese, but the United States has made little progress toward the target goal Reiterate some of the high points from the presentation and read from this slide to sum it all up

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2008 Government Accountability Office(GAO), 2003 National center for chronic disease prevention and health promotion, 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2006

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