The Role of School Nutrition in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity

1. The Role of School Nutrition in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity Latishia g. greene mph sTUDENT Walden university PUBh 6165-5 Instructor: Stephen Arnold Fall 2010

2. 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

3. Expected Learning Outcomes • Health risks of obesity • Benefits of eating healthy meals at school • Familiarity with the nutrition program • Recognize healthy options

4. 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.

5. Health Problems Linked to Obesity • Type 2 diabetes • Cardiovascular disease • Stroke • Blindness • Asthma • Psychosocial stigmas • National Institute of Health (2010). Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov on October 18, 2010.

6. 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.

7. Nutritional Programs • Breakfast • Healthy Kids First • Menu changes • Nutrition education

8. 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.

9. “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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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. 

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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).