1. Why is Child Nutrition Important
Why is Child Nutrition Important? Jump on Board for Healthier Students Norfolk Public Schools Primary & Secondary Students
Dyani Meggett-Sowell, Ph.D. student
Walden University
PUBH Environmental Health
Winter 2010

2. Introduction
To motivate the Norfolk Public School System, Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Board of Education, and the Child Nutritional Services to share the responsibility to improve the nutritional environment within the primary and secondary schools with the parents, students, and other community sponsors.
To highlight the importance of nutrition.

3. Why is Nutrition Important?
It is needed for adequate energy
Normal growth and development
Cornerstone of preventive medicine
Essential in the management of chronic diseases
(AJCN , 2003)

4. Nutrients are substances in food that provide energy and structure to regulate body processes
Essential nutrients must be consumed to maintain good health
(Grosvenor & Smolin, 2006)
Nutritional Facts

5. Nutritional Facts Cont.
There are six primary nutrients that are needed to remain alive, healthy, to grow and reproduce
Carbohydrates
Lipids
water
vitamins
proteins
minerals
(Grosvenor & Smolin, 2006)
Nutritional Facts Cont.

6. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (1999), 280,000 annual deaths in the United States are attributable to obesity, and obesity related diseases.
(Allison, Fontaine, Manson, Stevens, & VanItallie, 1999)
Statistical Data

7. Chicken fingers, French fries, and hot dogs may sound like the choices at a fast food restaurant, but they are also popular school lunch items which can lead to health problems to include:
Obesity
Chronic diseases (high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease)
Development disparities
Learning difficulties
Health Risk

8. According to the Texas Heart Institute (2009) a study done by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that between 16% and 33% of children and teenagers are obese.
Risk Factors:
Eating more fat than they are burning
Gender
Genetics
Aging
Illness
Lifestyle
(Texas Heart Institute, 2009)
Obesity

9. Chronic Diseases
Research done at the Children’s hospital of Boston and the Harvard school of Public Health proved that children who consume drinks and foods that contain more than the recommended daily dose of sugar will lead to obesity. Moreover, obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
(Barker, 2003)

10. According to CDC (2008) “diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents; about 151,000 people below the age of 20 years have diabetes”.
Causes:
Low physical activity
Consumption of foods high in sugar
Obesity
Race
Genetics
(CDC, 2008)
Diabetes

11. Heart disease is not usually a cause of death in children and teens but with prolonged abuse it will cause death as an adult.
Risk Factors
High blood pressure
Obesity
Smoking
High cholesterol
Physical inactivity
(Texas Heart Institute, 2009)
Heart Disease

12. Daily Nutritional Requirements
Food Group Daily Recommendation Typical Diet
Grains 6–11
Vegetables 3–5
Fruits 2–4 Dairy 2–3 servings
Meats 2–3 servings
Fats and sweets less than 30% fat; limit The typical diet contains 33% added sugars to less than fat and includes 19 teaspoons 12 teaspoons per day of added sugars per day
( Cleveland, Cook, Wilson, et. al, 2010)
Daily Nutritional Requirements

13. Recommended Dietary Allowances
The USDA offers reimbursement to all schools who participate in one of their school lunch programs which will provide the students with the minimum recommended dietary allowance:
Protein
Calcium
Iron
Vitamin A and C
(USDA,2009)
Recommended Dietary Allowances

14. Nutritional Information of French Fries
(Quite Healthy Technology, 2009)
A student is putting 4.1 grams of saturated fat and mg of sodium in their bodies just from eating 10 French fry strips per serving. The high amount of sodium and fat substances can contribute to health risk in the long run.

15. Vending Machine Access
Vending machines are packed with sugary snacks which contribute to chronic disease and obesity.
What to do with them?
The replacement of sugary
snacks with healthy snacks
will help reduce the health
risks.

16. How Can We Help? Begin labeling food products with nutritional facts
Use a Nutrient Standard Menu Plan (NSMP)
Provide food safety education
Purchasing foods that are high in nutrients and less in fat.
Growing together as a community to learn and teach about healthy eating
How Can We Help?

17. Suggested Sites for Additional Information
WIC Program (2009). The Virginia WIC program. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from This site provides information on nutrition education and how to obtain supplemental food sources.
Economic Research Services (2009). Food assistance and nutrition programs. Retrieved January 25, 2010, from m. This site provides information on the supplemental food programs available for low-income families.

18. Suggested Sites for Additional Information Cont.
Food and Nutrition Services (2010). Nutrition assistance programs. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from This site provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education.
Food and Nutrition Services (2009). School Meals. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from . The site provides information on different school meal plans and links to nutritional facts.
Food and Nutrition Services (2009). Child and Adult Care Food Program. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from This site provide links for nutritional programs that provide meals to children and elderly adults on a daily basis.

19. References
AJCN (2003).What is nutrition? American Journal Clinical Nutrition, 77(5), Retrieved January 20, 2010, from
Allison, D.B., Fontaine K. R., Manson, J. E., Stevens, J., & VanItallie, T. B. (1999). Annual deaths attributable to obesity in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association, 282(16). Retrieved January 22, 2010, from May2001/FRV24I2c.pdf
Barker, B. (2003). Junk food in schools: Vending machine sales at the expense of student health?. Retrieved January 22, 2010, from

20. References Cont.
CDC (2008). Diabetes project. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved January 23, 2010, from
Cleveland, L. E., Cook, A. J., Wilson, J. E., et al (2010). Pyramid servings data, ARS Food Survey Research Group. Retrieved January 20, 2010, from
Google.com (2009). Nutrition matters, (Image). Retrieved January 19, , from e-of-nutrition-for healthy-living/
Grosvenor, M. & Smolin, L. (2006). Nutrition: Everyday choices. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

21. References Cont.
Saad, L. (2007). Parents indicate school cafeterias to do better: Though most say lunches are nutritious, two-thirds of Americans say more healthy food should be offered. Gallop.com. Retrieved January 22, , from
Texas Heart Institute (2009). Heart Disease Risk Factors for Children and Teenagers. Retrieved January 23,2010, fromhttp:// children_risk_factors.cfm
USDA (2009). Food and nutrition. Retrieved January 23,2010, from dNutritionAssistace

22. References Cont.
Quite Healthy Technology(2009). French Fries, Frozen, Pan Fried, Cottage-Cut, Prepared, Heated in Oven, w/Salt. Retrieved January 22,2010, from