Improving School Nutrition Gloria Bowman, Ph.D. student Walden University PH Instructor: Dr. Shana Morrelll Spring, 2009

Expected Learning Outcomes: Statistics regarding childhood obesity rates Dietary Guidelines Ways to improve the health and well- being of students

Background Obesity among children between the ages of 6-11 has risen from 6.5% in 1980 to 17% in (CDC, 2008) Obesity among children between the ages of 6-11 has risen from 6.5% in 1980 to 17% in (CDC, 2008) Obesity among the age group of has risen from 5% to 17.6% from 1980 to (CDC, 2008) Obesity among the age group of has risen from 5% to 17.6% from 1980 to (CDC, 2008) Under 40% of children and adolescents follow the U.S. dietary guidelines for saturated fat consumption. Only 21% of high school students eat fresh fruits and vegetables five or more times a day (CDC, 2008) Under 40% of children and adolescents follow the U.S. dietary guidelines for saturated fat consumption. Only 21% of high school students eat fresh fruits and vegetables five or more times a day (CDC, 2008) Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Topics: Nutrition School Health Guidelines. Retrieved on April 06, 2009 from

Benefits of a Healthy Diet Helps maintain growth and development Helps maintain growth and development Helps prevents obesity, dental caries, eating disorders Helps prevents obesity, dental caries, eating disorders Healthy diet may be associated with success in school Healthy diet may be associated with success in school Prevents chronic diseases later in life and establishes healthy eating habits (CDC, 2008) Prevents chronic diseases later in life and establishes healthy eating habits (CDC, 2008) Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Topics: Nutrition School Health Guidelines. Retrieved on April 06, 2009 from

2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Include a variety of foods Include a variety of foods Incorporate physical activity Incorporate physical activity Eat grains, vegetables, and fruits Eat grains, vegetables, and fruits Consume a diet low in fat, including saturated fats and cholesterol Consume a diet low in fat, including saturated fats and cholesterol Moderate intake of sugar, salt, and fat (CDC, 2008) Moderate intake of sugar, salt, and fat (CDC, 2008) Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Topics: Nutrition School Health Guidelines. Retrieved on April 06, 2009 from

2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans In 1998, Dietary Guidelines were not being met in the age groups of children and adolescents 6-11 and In 1998, Dietary Guidelines were not being met in the age groups of children and adolescents 6-11 and Gender was showed a difference in eating patterns. Girls were at a little higher percent of achieving those guidelines than boys, but the figures did not exceed 35% (CDC, 2008). Gender was showed a difference in eating patterns. Girls were at a little higher percent of achieving those guidelines than boys, but the figures did not exceed 35% (CDC, 2008). Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Topics: Nutrition School Health Guidelines. Retrieved on April 06, 2009 from

How do we improve these statistics? Beginning in the schools, students K-12 may begin a nutrition education course tailored to their age. Beginning in the schools, students K-12 may begin a nutrition education course tailored to their age. School breakfasts and lunches that meet dietary guidelines. School breakfasts and lunches that meet dietary guidelines. Healthy snacks should be provided such as fresh fruit stands. This would be a better opportunity to include fruit servings daily, and eliminate vending machines with soda and candy. Healthy snacks should be provided such as fresh fruit stands. This would be a better opportunity to include fruit servings daily, and eliminate vending machines with soda and candy. Lessons and homework may be sent home to include the family in nutrition decisions. Lessons and homework may be sent home to include the family in nutrition decisions.

The Research There has been much research in regards to improving the health of our children. Typically the targets are improving diet and incorporating physical education. There has been much research in regards to improving the health of our children. Typically the targets are improving diet and incorporating physical education. What are children looking for as far as diet? What are children looking for as far as diet? The food needs to taste good. The food needs to taste good. The food needs to look good. The food needs to look good. They need to be hungry for their meal. (Roseman and Niblock, 2006) They need to be hungry for their meal. (Roseman and Niblock, 2006) Roseman, M., & Niblock, J. (2006, January). A Culinary Approach to Healthy Menu Items: Middle School Students' Opinion of School Lunch and Lunch Decision Factors. Journal of Culinary Science & Technology, 5(1), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

The Research This middle school study included new items such as fruits, Caesar salads, Cobb salad, fruit and veggie dipping cups, side salads This middle school study included new items such as fruits, Caesar salads, Cobb salad, fruit and veggie dipping cups, side salads Students chose the fruit plate and fruit dipping cups over other items (Roseman and Niblock, 2006). Students chose the fruit plate and fruit dipping cups over other items (Roseman and Niblock, 2006). Roseman, M., & Niblock, J. (2006, January). A Culinary Approach to Healthy Menu Items: Middle School Students' Opinion of School Lunch and Lunch Decision Factors. Journal of Culinary Science & Technology, 5(1), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

Salad Bars in Schools Another study had been conducted to evaluate salad bars in schools. Another study had been conducted to evaluate salad bars in schools. Salad bars increase fruit and vegetable intake Salad bars increase fruit and vegetable intake Beware salad bars may introduce foods with a high fat such as Beware salad bars may introduce foods with a high fat such as Salad dressings Salad dressings Bacon bits Bacon bits Cheese (Schmidt and McKinney, 2004) Cheese (Schmidt and McKinney, 2004) Schmidt, S., & McKinney, P. (2004, December). Fruits and Vegetables Offered in School Lunch Salad Bars Versus Traditional School Lunches. Family Economics & Nutrition Review, 16(2), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

Improving Salad Bars in Schools Most of the schools did not have low fat choices with each of the menu items that were high in fat. Most of the schools did not have low fat choices with each of the menu items that were high in fat. Some suggestions might be to replace the cheese with a lower fat version as well as the salad dressings Some suggestions might be to replace the cheese with a lower fat version as well as the salad dressings Lean meats may be added to the salad bar to create a balanced meal (Schmidt and McKinney, 2004) Lean meats may be added to the salad bar to create a balanced meal (Schmidt and McKinney, 2004) Schmidt, S., & McKinney, P. (2004, December). Fruits and Vegetables Offered in School Lunch Salad Bars Versus Traditional School Lunches. Family Economics & Nutrition Review, 16(2), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

Sample Breakfast Menu Sample menu from a local school West Carrollton Schools. School Lunch Menu Retrieved on April 10, 2009 from

Improvements To The Menu Whole grain bagels Whole grain bagels Oatmeal Oatmeal Low sugar cereals Low sugar cereals Low sugar meal replacement bars Low sugar meal replacement bars

Conclusion Proper nutrition for school aged children is recommended in the home and at school. Proper nutrition for school aged children is recommended in the home and at school. Through education and offering plenty of choices to fulfill dietary guidelines, schools may improve the diet of the children attending and educate to form long lasting habits. Through education and offering plenty of choices to fulfill dietary guidelines, schools may improve the diet of the children attending and educate to form long lasting habits. Improvement in diet and physical education may improve the possibility of not developing chronic disease later in adulthood. Improvement in diet and physical education may improve the possibility of not developing chronic disease later in adulthood.

References Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Topics: Nutrition School Health Guidelines. Retrieved on April 06, 2009 from Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Topics: Nutrition School Health Guidelines. Retrieved on April 06, 2009 from Roseman, M., & Niblock, J. (2006, January). A Culinary Approach to Healthy Menu Items: Middle School Students' Opinion of School Lunch and Lunch Decision Factors. Journal of Culinary Science & Technology, 5(1), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. Roseman, M., & Niblock, J. (2006, January). A Culinary Approach to Healthy Menu Items: Middle School Students' Opinion of School Lunch and Lunch Decision Factors. Journal of Culinary Science & Technology, 5(1), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. Schmidt, S., & McKinney, P. (2004, December). Fruits and Vegetables Offered in School Lunch Salad Bars Versus Traditional School Lunches. Family Economics & Nutrition Review, 16(2), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. Schmidt, S., & McKinney, P. (2004, December). Fruits and Vegetables Offered in School Lunch Salad Bars Versus Traditional School Lunches. Family Economics & Nutrition Review, 16(2), Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

Further Reading Story M. Guest editorial. The third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment study: findings and policy implications for improving the health of US children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association [serial online]. February 02, 2009;109(2):S7-13. Story M. Guest editorial. The third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment study: findings and policy implications for improving the health of US children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association [serial online]. February 02, 2009;109(2):S7-13. CDC reports improved school nutrition. Clinical Nutrition Insight [serial online]. August 2008;34(8): CDC reports improved school nutrition. Clinical Nutrition Insight [serial online]. August 2008;34(8): Sherry J. An evaluation of elementary school nutrition practices and policies in a southern Illinois county. Journal of School Nursing (Sage) [serial online]. August 2008;24(4): Sherry J. An evaluation of elementary school nutrition practices and policies in a southern Illinois county. Journal of School Nursing (Sage) [serial online]. August 2008;24(4): Helpful Websites: Helpful Websites: