LATISHIA G. GREENE MPH STUDENTWALDEN UNIVERSITY

PUBH 6165-5INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN ARNOLD

FALL 2010

The Role of School Nutrition in the Fight Against Childhood

Obesity

Program Overview

Audience : students and parents

The incidence and impact of childhood obesity

The impact of school nutrition on children’s health

The importance of programs in place to prevent childhood obesity

Healthy choices vs. Unhealthy choices

Expected Learning Outcomes

Health risks of obesity

Benefits of eating healthy meals at school

Familiarity with the nutrition program

Recognize healthy options

Obesity: A Big Concern

American society has become “obesogenic”

- 17% of children ages 2-19 years old are obese

- An additional 15% are overweight

- 70% of overweight children will become obese adults

Centers for Disease Control (2010). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity on October 17, 2010. National Institute of Health (2010). Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov on

October 18, 2010.

Health Problems Linked to Obesity

Type 2 diabetesCardiovascular diseaseStrokeBlindnessAsthmaPsychosocial stigmas

National Institute of Health (2010). Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov on October 18, 2010.

Goals of School Nutrition Programs

Foster academic achievement

Guide children toward healthier lifestyles

Foster improved student health

California Dept. of Education (2010). A healthy nutrition environment: Linking education, activity, and food through school gardens. Retrieved from: www.cde.ca.gov on October 12, 2010.

Nutritional Programs

Breakfast

Healthy Kids First

Menu changes

Nutrition education

Why is breakfast so important?

Our bodies fast while we sleep; breakfast breaks that process and gives us fuel for starting a new day.

Children who eat breakfast improve their grades. They make fewer mistakes and better grades.

Teachers have observed increased attentiveness, motivation, self-discipline and concentration in students who participate in the school breakfast program

Clayton County Public Schools (2010). School Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/departments/schoolnutrition on October 16, 2010.

“Healthy Kids First”

Central kitchen facility

Soda machines replaced by water dispensers and fruit juice

Fresh fruit as alternatives to candy and baked goods

New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12, 2010.

Menu changes

Fresh vegetables - School menus feature mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed butternut squash, roasted vegetables, and corn on the cob

Vegetarian offerings - vegetarian lasagna - eggplant parmigiana - pierogies - salads, grilled cheese, whole grain pizza

Whole grain pilot program - In the school year 08-09, Food Services moved to a whole grain model for breads.

New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12, 2010.

Menu changes

Meat substitutions - Some beef substituted for turkey products - Chicken nuggets were eliminated from the menu and replaced with roasted “on the bone” chicken. As a staple it is always served with fresh veggies.

New and exciting sauces - featured sauces include: tangy cherry sauce, sweet red pepper sauce, cacciatore, curry, cranberry gravy, and sweet and sour sauces.

International/Ethnic cuisine - jambalaya, chicken & broccoli stir fry, Sheppard's pie, chicken

pot pie

New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12, 2010.

Nutrition education

The “Nutrition Detective” curriculum - 2 interactive classes about reading food

labels

Amazing Sun Race - health promotion competition for high school students

Health education puppet shows

New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12, 2010.

Nutrition education

Cityseed - decreases reliance on processed foods and increases the use of fresh fruits and vegetables

in school food programs. - promotes the use of locally grown produce

School gardens - Student grown veggies are used in menu items - Afterschool cooking program with area chefs New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12,

2010.

Nutrition education

5 acre educational farm - students can grow whatever they want - bananas - coconuts - bee hives - composting - livestock

New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12, 2010.

Nutrition by example

Meat/Meat Alternate: Minimum 2 ounce serving

Grains/Breads: Minimum 2 ounce serving

Vegetables/Fruits: Vegetables and fruits are served in ½ cup servings Minimum 1 cup offered daily

Milk: 8 ounce serving

New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12, 2010.

Prevention

Becoming obese doesn't happen overnight. It happens over time when the energy we take in by eating is not in balance with the energy we burn from physical activity.

The same amount of ENERGY IN (calories consumed) and ENERGY OUT (calories burned) over time = weight stays the same

More IN than OUT over time = weight gainMore OUT than IN over time = weight loss

National Institute of Health (2010). Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov on October 18, 2010.

 

Summary of Key Learning Goals

Poor nutrition is associated with an increased risk of a number of chronic health conditions

Obesity can cause disabilities, pain and suffering, and negatively affects mobility and other quality-of-life measures. 

Promoting healthy eating and creating an environment that supports these behaviors can reduce this epidemic of obesity.

To respond to the complex combination of social, cultural, environmental and behavioral factors that contributes to the growing number of obese children, efforts are underway to raise awareness and encourage healthy eating.  The New Haven School Board strives to promote opportunities for nutritious food choices in schools and communities. 

Further reading

Tufts University School of Nutrition (1995). The Link between Nutrition and Cognitive Development in Children. Hunger, Poverty, and Nutrition Policy 2nd ed.

Foerster, S., Gregson, J., Beall, D.L (1998). The California Children’s 5-A-Day Power Play Campaign: Evaluation of a large-scale social marketing initiative. Family and Community Health, 21(46).

Assembly Bill 1014, Instructional School Gardens (1999) – establishes the instructional school garden program.

Senate Bill 19, The Pupil Health, Nutrition, and Achievement Act (2001) – identifies school gardens as one way to increase student preferences for fresh fruits and vegetables.

References

California Dept. of Education (2010). A healthy nutrition environment: Linking education, activity, and food through school gardens. Retrieved from: www.cde.ca.gov on October 12, 2010.

Centers for Disease Control (2010). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity on October 17, 2010.

Clayton County Public Schools (2010). School Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/departments/schoolnutrition on October 16, 2010.

References

National Institute of Health (2010). Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov on October 18, 2010.

New Haven Public Schools (2010). NH School Food Initiatives. Retrieved from: http://www.nhps.net/NHschoolfood on October 12, 2010.

Speroni, K., Tea, C., Early, C., Niehoff, V., Atherton, M. (2008). Evaluation of a pilot hospital-based community program implementing fitness and nutrition education for overwight children. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 13(3).