Share healthy foods at school. Share healthy foods at school. Let’s do it together. “Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits, and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.” – Richard H. Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General, 2004

Who Are We? Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a national grassroots partnership created to address the epidemic of overweight, undernourished, and sedentary youth by focusing on changes in schools. Healthy Kids Learn Better

“… being overweight or obese has become the leading medical reason recruits are rejected for military service….We consider this problem so serious from a national security perspective that we have joined more than 130 other retired generals, admirals and senior military leaders in calling on Congress to pass new child nutrition legislation.” A National Crisis from The latest national security threat: obesity By retired U.S. Army Generals John M. Shalikashvili and Hugh Shelton, both former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff The Washington Post, Friday, April 30, 2010

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1985 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1986 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1987 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1988 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1989 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1991 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1992 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1993 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1994 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1995 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1996 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1997 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1998 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1999 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2000 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2001 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% ≥25%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2002 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% ≥25%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2003 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% ≥25%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2004 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% ≥25%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2005 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% 25%-29% ≥30%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2006 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% 25%-29% ≥30%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2007 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% 25%-29% ≥30%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2008 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% 25%-29% ≥30%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2009 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% 25%-29% ≥30%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2010 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%-24% 25%-29% ≥30%

Will All Americans Become Overweight or Obese? F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012, Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). If current trends continue, by 2030, 13 states could have adult obesity rates above 60 percent, 39 states could have rates above 50 percent, and all 50 states could have rates above 44 percent.

W HY S CHOOLS ? The Learning Connection

Undernourished children tend to have low energy, are often irritable, and have difficulty concentrating. Action for Healthy Kids, “The Role of Sound Nutrition and Physical Activity in Academic Achievement” The Learning Connection

They also score lower on vocabulary, reading comprehension, and arithmetic tests. Action for Healthy Kids, “The Role of Sound Nutrition and Physical Activity in Academic Achievement” The Learning Connection

How many kids eat a healthy breakfast before school starts each morning? The Learning Connection

A recent study of 5,000 children, published in the Journal of School Health, found a significant association between diet quality and academic performance. Florence MD, Asbridge M, Veugelers PJ. Diet quality and academic performance. J Sch Health. 2008; 78: The Learning Connection

Overweight kids miss school four times as much as normal weight kids. The Learning Connection

 Schools reach most children and adolescents in a community  Children spend around 900 hours per year in school  Teachers and school staff are key role models  Schools provide institutional approval and reinforcement for children’s behaviors  School practices should reflect curriculum standards for health, nutrition and physical education Why Schools?

Schools show kids what we value and what is important in our community. Why Schools?

39 How do we reward our students?

Fitness Winners are rewarded… Congratulations to all students who participated in the President’s Fitness Challenge! Donut party for all Presidential Winners before school on Friday !

“Rewarding children with unhealthy foods in school undermines our efforts to teach them about good nutrition. It’s like teaching children a lesson on the importance of not smoking and then handing out ashtrays and lighters to the kids who did the best job listening.” Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D. Deputy Director, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University - from Alternatives to Food Rewards Connecticut State Department of Education, 5/2005, revised 11/2011

One mint per day adds up to over 3 cups of sugar and 3,600 extra calories over the course of the school year. But it’s just a mint..!

In class, students learn about nutrition, healthy eating and the importance of moderation.

44 Yet in some classrooms students eat birthday treats over 25 times each year.

Fundraisers support sports, music, art, technology and many other school activities.

Do ours encourage healthy lifestyle choices? Dance-a-thon Bike-a-thon Cookie Dough Student Artwork Candy Sales Seed Packets Fruit Sales Restaurant Nights

What do our family events promote? Donuts with Dad School Carnival Muffins with Mom

PTo School Calendar Fun Run for Healthy Kids October 17 th Family Fundraiser at Joe’s Junk Food Joint! October 25 th Wellness Meeting - November 11 th TV Turn-Off Week – November Pancake Party for the class with the most participation!

Many schools offer healthier options… But they sit side by side with not-so-healthy foods that are too yummy to refuse. SCHOOL MEALS (Creative Commons/john.murden via Flickr)

How will our children learn to make healthy choices with so many conflicting messages?

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION? “ Change the food in schools and we can influence how children think.” - Alice Waters Founder of The Edible Schoolyard

 Make healthy options standard whenever foods are shared – parties, fundraisers, school events, celebrations – in and out of the classroom. Best Practices Healthy Halloween party at Ryan Elementary in Westminster, Colorado

 Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, water, whole grains and low-fat/fat-free dairy products as the primary options for students. Best Practices

interfere with nutrition education send conflicting messages about what we value make it harder for kids to internalize healthy habits.  Limit or eliminate unhealthy choices that: Best Practices

 Shift the focus from food – host events which promote physical activity, music, art, and games. A Hippity-Hop-A-Thon fundraiser at Hoffman Trails Elementary in Hillard, Ohio was a huge success. Kids took the balls home after the event and the hopping continued long after the event was over.

Best Practices  Provide students non-food rewards for good behavior – help set them up for lifelong healthy eating patterns.

 Use shared food as an opportunity for nutrition education. Best Practices Consider: School gardens Snack time Cafeteria signage Taste tests Newsletter articles Vending & School stores Special workshops or events

Parents at Cougar Run Elementary organize P.A.C.K Week twice each year (Pack Assorted Colors for Kids). Each day students are encouraged to bring a fruit or vegetable of a certain color for snack time. Now students choose more fruits and vegetables at lunch time on a regular basis. Success Story

Focusing on healthy food IS focusing on academics at Sparr Elementary in Ocala, Florida. Sparr implemented Game On! – AFHK’s school wellness program and placed a big emphasis on healthy eating as part of the program.

Success Story “ About a week after the taste test the teacher came into my office full of smiles. She had just allowed the students to select what they wanted to serve at their Christmas party. They unanimously chose the vegetables from the taste test rather than cookies, candy, chips, etc.” – Dr. Kimi West Sparr’s grade went from a C to a B on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test after implementing Game On! – AFHK’s framework for elementary school wellness initiatives.

 Write changes into wellness policies and school improvement plans. Sustainability

What is a healthy school food culture?  Policies and practices make the healthy choice the easy and desirable one.  Staff and parent volunteers role model healthy eating habits.  Students receive consistent messages. Students enjoy a fruit and yogurt parfait bar

Share healthy foods at school. Parents, Teachers, Students, Partners, Staff Let’s do it together.

 LiveWell Colorado  EdNewsParent  Alliance for a Healthier Generation  USDA Team Nutrition  Western Dairy Association  Fuel Up to Play  Colorado Legacy Foundation  CanDo  Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge  RMC Health Resources Action for Healthy Kids

Share healthy foods at school. Let’s do it together. Action for Healthy Kids would like to thank: Rainey Wikstrom of The Healthy People Project for the “Share Healthy Foods” concept and co-development of the Share Healthy Foods at School campaign. LiveWell Colorado, the Colorado Legacy Foundation, EdNews Parent, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado PTA, and RMC Health for their founding support and contributions to the Share Healthy Foods at School campaign. The Colorado Health Foundation for their generous support of the Colorado Action for Healthy Kids Parent Network project which made this presentation possible. The following AFHK team members who contributed to the creation of this slideshow: Annette Sloan, Colorado AFHK Meena Sheehan, Colorado AFHK Deirdre Sullivan, CanDo Amy Moyer, AFHK Created by Carol Muller Action for Healthy Kids, April 2012 Share healthy foods at school.