Child Welfare Exhibit Childhood Obesity Mary Sayles Katharine Koehler Briana Ellis

Obesity What is it? Image from: Image From:

What is the problem? Disease Cost Unhealthy adults

School Lunches $9.8 billion for federal school lunch program Feeds about 32 million of America’s 50 million schoolchildren daily USDA analysis 38% of calories from fats (30%) 15% saturated fats (10%) High in sodium The result? – 1 in 3 American children and teens are overweight or obese – 9 million children over age 6 considered obese

Solutions Federal School Breakfast Program – ¼ of Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) National School Lunch Program – 1/3 of RDAs Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – Awards schools that meet guidelines USDA Increase availability of whole- grain foods, low fat milk, and fresh local produce Full funding for school meal programs – Relieve competitive food pressure – High-quality nutritious meals = maximum participation – Change perception of use by low-income students Concurrent strategies

What should students eat? Whole-grains Orange and dark green vegetables – At least ½ cup serving of each per week All students: minimum of 1 cup of fruit at breakfast High school lunch: full cup of fruit and vegetables Reduce starchy items to 1 cup per week – Potatoes, corn, green peas, fresh lima beans

Physical Activity in Schools 8% of elementary, 6.4% of middle/junior high, and 5.8% of senior high schools provided daily physical education classes for all students in each grade level Typical 30 minute elementary PE class, average child physically active for 2-3 minutes 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity recommended daily…

Solutions At least 30 minutes of activity during school day Intervention at elementary level = more effective More vigorous classes lead to changes in fitness and body weight An array of diverse and fun activities to appeal to a broad range of student interests Tools for current fitness, but also for lifelong habits

Sources Belluck, Pam. “Children’s Expectancy Being Cut Short by Obesity.” C8B63 Colditz, Graham and Stein, Cynthis, “Costs of Obesity.” in Handbook of Obesity Prevention: A Resource for Health Professionals, ed. Shiriki Kumanyika and Ross Brownson. New York: Spring, 2007, p.75 Kaminer, Ariel. “Hairnets, Yes; Fried Foods, No.” New York Times, March 6, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 1, 2011). Koplan, Jeffrey P., Catharyn T. Liverman, and Vivica I. Kraak, editors. Preventing Childhood Obesity. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, Kuczmarski, “What is Obesity? Definitions Matter.” in Handbook of Obesity Prevention: A Resource for Health Professionals, ed. Shiriki Kumanyika and Ross Brownson. New York: Spring, 2007, p.25 Mayo Clinic Staff, “Childhood Obesity: Symptoms and Risk Factors.” Shah, Nirvi. "School-Meals Makeover Stirs the Pot. (Cover story)." Education Week 30, no. 27 (April 6, 2011): Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 1, 2011).