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The Importance of Teaching Nutrition in School Marcia Durish University of Michigan-Flint EDR 344

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The Importance of Teaching Nutrition in School It is no more necessary that a man should remember the different dinners and suppers which have made him healthy, than the different books which have made him wise. Let us see the results of good food in a strong body, and the results of great reading in a full and powerful mind. -Sydney Smith (Reid, 1884)

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Reasons for Teaching Nutrition in School The eating habits of adults can be traced back to childhood diets Obesity is a crisis in our nation with childhood obesity considered an epidemic Childhood obesity is a severe health concern for numerous Americans Obese children are more likely to have risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease High blood pressure High cholesterol Type 2 diabetes Certain types of cancers Orthopedic Problems Obese and overweight children can also have problems with: Depression Anxiety Sleep Apnea Psychosocial Dysfunction which can all contribute to increase school absenteeism

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Why Should Educators Bother with Nutritional Education Children with no opportunity to learn good nutritional habits are unable to incorporate proper nutrition into their daily diet routine Without formal instruction on appropriate nutritional choices, children do not understand the importance of a healthy, well- balanced, nutritional diet on their over all well-being Children need an atmosphere that motivates them positively into making healthy food choices Children also must be guided candidly on proper nutrition so that they can make necessary changes to their diet when needed. At the very least, a child should be well-equipped with the tools for making good nutritional choices Schools have a distinctive position in potentially helping children alleviate the problem of being obese or overweight by teaching proper nutrition at a young age

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More than 30% of children ages 2-19 in the United States are overweight or obese In the past three decades, the rate of overweight or obese children has doubled among U.S. preschool and adolescent children and tripled among 6 to 11 year olds Despite socioeconomic status or race, overweight children are more prone to become overweight adults

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Schools role in the well-being of children: An emphasis on nutrition education in core-curriculum should take high priority in the 21 st century amidst the current epidemic of overweight and obese children in the United States of America Research shows that most children could make improvements in their daily diet paying special attention to minorities and low- income students School curriculum should incorporate proper nutrition at a young age to ensure a lifetime of first-rate eating habits School districts need to teach children to select well-balanced, nutritious foods as well as incorporate and encourage physical activity which would support positive self image Teachers have the opportunity to institute good nutrition habits while teaching customary core-curriculum Positive nutritional contributions to a childs wellbeing will last a lifetime if promoted at a young age in the school setting The research and findings confirm that schools do have a distinctive position in teaching nutrition education

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Why Should Schools Get Involved Schools are the core of the community Schools have a unique opportunity to lead the fight on obesity Obesity rates threatens to widen the achievement gap Schools can reach out to a large number of children and families Schools already influence childrens eating patterns by providing one or more meals Physical education opportunities provided at school influence childrens patterns of physical activity School Personnel can deliver programs designed to improve childrens health-related knowledge and behaviors What teachers say and do and the behaviors they model in the classroom can have a lasting impact on students health attitudes and behaviors

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Michigans PE-Nut Project (Physical Education and Nutrition Education Working Together) Federally Funded by the USDAs Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program -through an award from the Michigan Nutrition Network to the Michigan Fitness Foundation Programs Motto: Health students are better learners! Taking place in 52 low income schools within Michigan Genesee County has the highest number of schools being serviced at 27 schools -72% of school districts in Genesee County have 50% or more of their children qualify for free or reduced lunches

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PE-Nut Programs Obligations Every PE-Nut Educator has a degree in nutrition or health Nutrition Educators provide 30 lessons (3-5 lessons) in up to 10 classrooms per building Teaches children how and why to make healthy choices Children are given an engaging nutrition lesson, an opportunity to try healthy snacks, and to be physically active

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Physical Educations Role Teach and provide children with healthy activities that can be enjoyed in as well outside of class This is where some nutritional education could be taught Should be educating students in regard the importance of stay active as adults The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends: that elementary children get 150 minutes of physical education each week Continuing on after elementary, children should receive 225 minutes of physical education each week

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Michigans Physical Education Michigan mandates that elementary, middle/junior high and high schools provide their students with physical education However does not specify certain grade levels or minutes per week of Physical Education Michigan does not require daily recess in elementary schools MI High School Graduation Requirements: entails students to earn 1.0 credit in Health and P.E. It is recommended that the credit be split

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Fun Things to Do!

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References: Cotugna, N., & Vickery, C. (2007). Educating early childhood teachers about nutrition: A collaborative venture. Childhood Education, 83(4), 194- 198. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. (2009) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved March 17, 2010. www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/lowincome.html.www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/lowincome.html Gibson, F. (2007). Nutrition education and the elementary classroom teacher. Retrieved from ProQuest Digital Dissertations. (3255663). Murnan, J., Price, J., Telljohann, S., Dake, J., & Boardley, D. (2006) Parents perceptions of curricular issues affecting childrens weight in elementary schools. The Journal of School Health, 76, 502-511. National Association for Sport and Physical Education. & The American Heart Association, (2010). Michigan state profile on physical education. Retrieved from http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/upload/Michigan- profile.pdf http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/upload/Michigan- Reid, S. (1884) A Sketch of the Life and Times of the Reverend Sydney Smith. London, England: Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington. Satcher, D. (2009/2010). Taking charge of poor nutrition and physical inactivity are threatening our students futures. Will schools meet the challenge?. Educational Leadership, 67(4), 38-43. Winter, S. (2009). Childhood obesity in the testing era: What teachers and schools can do!. Childhood Education, 85(5), 283-288.