Quay Davis

INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION IN

SCHOOLS

Nutrition in Schools• Children spend most of their day in school whether it’s preschool,

elementary, middle, or high school.

• They have breakfast, lunch, and snacks at school which makes up for just

about all their meals except dinner.

• From the beginning of time the meals provided in schools were to keep

children feed.

• School officials were not concerned with the things children should be eating

and the things they should not.

Problems Children Face• A study found that 80% of adults who were overweight as children, during pre to elementary

school are now obese.

• This tells us that this disease is starting young, and we must better our nutrition starting in

elementary schools to help solve the problem.

• It is also known that only 21 percent of young people eat the recommended five or more

servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and nearly half of all vegetable servings are fried

potatoes

• To decrease childhood obesity healthy food choices should be a part of school lunch menus

starting in elementary schools.

• The program connects schools with local farms to provide healthy cafeteria food while also

supporting local farmers.

Stay NO to JUNK FOOD

Nutrition in Elementary Schools and Middle Schools.

• In 2007 a Elementary school in Whittier, California did a report on childhood obesity in the county showed about 25 percent of Whittier children were found to be obese.

• They have taken charge in trying to put more nutrition into elementary schools.

• .They have already amped up their Physical Education program and educated parents about health and nutrition.

• New Food Services program aimed at increasing the nutritional value of cafeteria food and reducing waste.

• Having an proper nutrition in their cafeterias, it will help them get through certain stages of their development such as obesity and diabetes which could affect their self confidence and health.

Nutrition in Public High Schools• The increase of childhood and adolescence obesity rates has become a major public

health concern in society because the obesity rates had risen rapidly.

• The children who suffer from obesity are high risk for health complication such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and etc.

• Based on the increase of obesity school officials, legislators, parents, and special interest group focus on the sale of foods in the school cafeteria.

• School officials focus on food options such as potato chips, French fries, cookies, sodas and other unhealthy foods which included beverages as well. These foods tend to be higher in calories and minimal nutrient density.

• High School implement the Stoplight Diet which included food offerings such as water, 100% juice drinks, and zero calorie Gatorades. Schools focused on increasing availability of low-fat foods and other foods with protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, and iron.

Nutrition in New Jersey Schools

• New Jersey was recognized by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its accomplishments for improving nutrition for the kids

• New Jersey was one of the ten best states that sold less nutritious food and beverages from vending machines, school store, or snack bar in 2008.

• In New Jersey, all schools, public and private, must participate in the federally funded child nutrition programs.

Vending Machine • FDA has its own special law for

vending machines in secondary schools in New Jersey.

• They have prohibited the sale of foods of minimal nutritional value to pupils at public elementary or middle schools until at least one-half hour after the end of `the school day.

• In New Jersey prohibited foods such as candy bars, hard candy, and chewing gum, etc.

•Vending machines in high schools would have to contain at least one food and one beverage item which meets these dietary criteria.

References • Childhood Obesity." Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, HHS. Web.

20 Apr. 2011. http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/

• Meyer, Mary Kay. "School Nutrition Environment in the Middle Grades and the Promotion of Healthy Eating Behaviors." (2000): n. pag. Web. 11 Apr 2011. http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/nfsmi/Information/middle_school_nutrition_environment.pdf

• Wojcicki, Janet M, and Melvin B Heyman. "Healthier Choices and Increased Participation in a Middle School Lunch Program: Effects of Nutrition Policy Changes in San Francisco." 96.9 (2006): n. pag. Web. 11 Apr 2011. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=8&sid=82a1f7a1-b543-4566-8b18-c2e7b807b8ee%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=22304246

• "San Rafael City Schools Strive For Better Nutrition - San Rafael, CA Patch." San Rafael, CA Patch - News, Sports, Events, Businesses & Deals. Web. 20 Apr. 2011. http://sanrafael.patch.com/articles/san-rafael-city-schools-strive-for-better-nutrition

• Snelling, A. M., & Kennard, T. (2009). The Impact of Nutrition Standards on Competitive Food Offerings and Purchasing Behaviors of High School Students. Journal of School Health, 541-(2004). Retrieved April 1, 2011, from The Food Trust : http://www.thefoodtrust.org/

Conclusion to Nutrition• It is very important for schools to implant

healthy nutrition in their children. • Students need to be educated on why

these foods are bad for them. • Teachers and other school officials should

be including in the attempt as well as parents and community members.

• Most of the problem comes from the fact the parents are not educated on the subject of nutrition so they cannot help maintain their children’s healthy habits.

• Policies to educate the whole community into play, parents can begin to purchase and cook nutritious foods for their families.

• In order to be successful it is an effort that includes everyone in the community not just the school system.

• A healthy nutrition is important because it allows of children to live long healthy productive lives and it begins with us.