Jeannine S. Smith Walden University PUBH Environmental Health

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  School Boards  Teachers  Parents  Students

 Childhood Obesity rates in the US have increased. ◦ In % of children among 6-11 year olds and 18.1% adolescents aged were obese (CDC, 2011).  Obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults (CDC, 2011).

 A serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents  A child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height  Can lead to health problems as an adult ◦ Diabetes ◦ High Blood Pressure ◦ High Cholesterol (Mayo Clinic, 2010).

 Genetics ◦ Genetic characteristics for being overweight/obese.  Behavioral Factors ◦ Energy Intake  Large Portions  Sweets/Junk Food ◦ Physical Activity  Less physical activity ◦ Sedentary Behavior  3 hours plus per day on TV and video games  Environmental Factors ◦ Within the home  Parent-child interaction ◦ Within childcare  Eating and physical activities can be developed ◦ Within schools ◦ Within the community (CDC, 2011).

 Healthier eating habits for children and adolescents need to be achieved. ◦ School board, teachers and parents could all contribute to this issue. ◦ Many children consume at least half of their daily calories at school, and for many children, food served at school may be the only food they regularly eat (Lets Move, 2011).

 Healthy School Lunch Programs ◦ Smaller portions ◦ Healthier lunch options ◦ Healthier snacks in vending machines

 The Healthy School Lunch Campaign ◦ Sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) ◦ Improving the food served to children in schools by educating government and school officials, food service workers, parents, and others about the food choices best able to promote children’s current and long-term health. ◦ encourages schools to offer more healthy low-fat, cholesterol-free options, including reimbursable meals and beverages, a la carte items, and vending machine items  The campaign’s key message: ◦ Foods served in schools should promote the health of all children (PCRM, 2011).

 Cost ◦ Healthy food costs a lot more than junk food.  Kids Not Willing to Eat Healthy ◦ Kids will choose ice cream over fresh fruit ◦ Think they’re “uncool” by eating healthy  Cafeteria Workers Don’t Know How to Create Healthy Items ◦ School lunches are prepared by microwave or deep fryer ◦ Broader set of skills needed for healthier foods (FSW, 2011).

 Parents and Students can also contribute to healthy school lunches: ◦ Pack healthy lunches at home. Colorful foods A variety of foods from all groups (proteins, fruits & vegetables, and whole grains) Nutrient-dense Delicious (Healthy Child, 2011).

 Benefits ◦ Prevents Weight Gain and Obesity ◦ Feeds the Brain ◦ Teaches the Importance of Healthy Eating (LiveStrong, 2011)  Risks ◦ None!

 Healthier habits now will have an impact on adult life ◦ Healthy Fuel  fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats  vitamins, minerals and nutrients ◦ Weight Management  eating fatty fried foods and foods made of sugar and refined grains can lead a child on the road to obesity  When offered healthier alternatives and more balanced meals at school, children can make better choices, conserve calories and eat food that will benefit their bodies ◦ Healthy Habits  can help your child learn habits that will stay with them well into adulthood  children who had unhealthy habits and risk factors for high cholesterol in childhood were more likely to maintain those problems into adulthood ◦ Low Income Benefits  Lower income households purchase fewer fruits and vegetables than those of higher incomes  Offering fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein in school lunches, gives lower income children the chance to learn about and eat a healthier diet. (LiveStrong, 2011).

 In conclusion, schools, parents, and student can all contribute to healthier school lunches. In the long run, the benefits of healthier lunches outweigh the risks.  Healthier lunches will help lower the risk of childhood obesity and will promote healthier living into adulthood.

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from  Healthy Child (2011). Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Kids. Retrieved from school-lunches/healthy-school-lunch-ideas-for-kids/ school-lunches/healthy-school-lunch-ideas-for-kids/  Food Service Warehouse (FSW). (2011). The Challenges of Serving Healthy School Lunches. Retrieved from /the-challenges-of-serving-healthy-school-lunches/ /the-challenges-of-serving-healthy-school-lunches/

 Mayo Clinic (2010). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from obesity/DS obesity/DS00698  Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). (2011). Healthy School Lunches. Retrieved from  LiveStrong (2011). The Effect of Healthy School Lunches on Kids. Retrieved from effect-of-healthy-school-lunches-on-kids/ effect-of-healthy-school-lunches-on-kids/  Lets Move (2011). Healthy Schools. Retrieved from