Project PA “Nutrition-Friendly Schools” Presentation by Project PA For Pennsylvania School Policy Makers 2001

Project PA

Project PA This project is funded by a 2000 USDA Team Nutrition Grant.

Project PA Is Your School Nutrition-Friendly? Why Should You Care?

Project PA America’s children are NOT making the grade when it comes to good nutrition.

Project PA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000

Project PA % 9.9% Percentage of US Children, Ages 12-17, Who Were Overweight by Sex

Project PA Percentage of adolescents & young adults regularly engaged in vigorous physical activity % Age

Project PA Only 2% meet the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid.

Project PA 16% do not meet any of the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid.

Project PA

Project PA 64% of youngsters eat too much fat. 68% eat too much saturated fat.

Project PA Teenagers today drink twice as much carbonated soda as milk.

Project PA Only 19% of teen- aged girls meet the recommended intakes for calcium.

Project PA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000

Project PA Nutrition and Health

Project PA Osteoporosis - “a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences”

Project PA Obesity is related to many health problems including: high blood cholesterol high blood pressure heart disease stroke some forms of cancer arthritis diabetes

Project PA Being overweight as a child also has emotional and psychological consequences.

Project PA Type II diabetes now affects 30,000 children.

Project PA Nutrition and Learning

Project PA Participation in School Breakfast Program is associated with: � improved test performance � reduced tardiness and absenteeism � increased attention � improved behavior

Project PA “Schools could do more than perhaps any other single institution in society to help young people, and the adults they will become, to live healthier, longer, more satisfying, and more productive lives.” - The Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development

Project PA Why Schools? reach almost all children provide healthy eating opportunities have skilled personnel can improve eating behaviors

Project PA “increase the proportion of children and adolescents whose intake of meals and snacks at schools contributes proportionally to good overall dietary quality”

Project PA “...adopt a coordinated school nutrition policy that promotes healthy eating through classroom lessons and a supportive school environment.”

Project PA School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children Nutrients Standards Dietary Guidelines

Project PA School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study II NSLP participants consume less added sugar and more vegetables and milk.

Project PA Some Issues for School Decision Makers Vending machines Fund-raisers focused on candy sales A la carte food sales Fast food contracts Pouring rights contracts

Project PA

Project PA

Project PA What is a Nutrition- Friendly School?

Project PA Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” 1.

Project PA Quality School Meals Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” 1. 2.

Project PA Quality School Meals Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Other Healthy Food Options Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School”

Project PA Quality School Meals Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Other Healthy Food Options Pleasant Eating Experiences Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School”

Project PA Quality School Meals Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Other Healthy Food Options Pleasant Eating Experiences Nutrition Education Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School”

Project PA Quality School Meals Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Other Healthy Food Options Pleasant Eating Experiences Nutrition Education Marketing Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School”

Project PA Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Nutr. and phys. activity are top priorities Policies are in place SFS is on policy-making team School health councils are formed

Project PA Quality School Meals School meals programs are available and are promoted. Healthy, appealing choices are available. SFS staff is properly trained. Menus meet nutrient standards.

Project PA Other Healthy Food Options All foods in school make a positive contribution to children’s diets School policies address foods in school that are NOT associated with the meal program. Decisions are based on nutrition goals for students, not profit.

Project PA Pleasant Eating Experiences Meal times and lengths are appropriate. Serving and seating areas are adequate and attractive. Drinking fountains and hand-washing equipment are available. Whether or not students pay full price for meals is kept confidential.

Project PA Nutrition Education Nutrition ed. (pre-K through grade 12) focuses on skill development. Dining room and classroom are linked. Messages are reinforced throughout school.

Project PA Marketing Healthy eating and physical activity are actively promoted. Students receive positive messages throughout the school environment.

Project PA Quality School Meals Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Other Healthy Food Options Pleasant Eating Experiences Nutrition Education Marketing Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School”

Project PA Call to Action

Project PA Partnerships School food service staff Parents Students Local Organizations

Project PA A coordinated school nutrition policy should... be about creating a school environment in which students and staff are provided with a variety of nutritious food choices and messages about healthy eating habits. NASBE Policy Update, "School Nutrition Programs"

Project PA It is a whole lot less expensive to raise healthy kids than to try to take care of unhealthy adults. Robert Ascah, State College Area School Board Member

Project PA We have to say, "What is our real priority here?“ Because we can't have it both ways. We can't say one thing and then model another. Paul Edwards, Superintendent of the Wayne Highlands School District

Project PA It is just a matter of trade-offs and I think the higher priority of our students' health needed to take precedence. (referring to removal of vending machines) Alex Menio Principal Milton High School

Project PA Schools and communities have a shared responsibility for providing children access to high quality foods and positive nutrition experiences that will have a lifelong impact on their health and education. The American Dietetic Association

Project PA Education that does not address health misses the heart of the matter. C. Everett Koop