1. Healthy Choices, Healthy Kids
Ms. Djuana Stroud, M.P.H. student
Walden University
PUBH
Instructor: Dr. Rebecca Heick
Winter 2010
Welcome to the Healthy Choices, Healthy Kids presentation. This presentation is designed to make you more aware of the school nutrition environment in our community. My goal is to have parents and teachers work together to improve school nutrition at their perspective schools. School is nutrition is a concern for primary and secondary students. We need the parents to teach the students what is a healthy meal and what daily requirements our body needs. The teachers will enforce healthy habits and choices that are being taught at home by ensuring that those options are available at the school.

2. Purpose of Presentation
Improve school nutrition in our community.
Encourage parents and teachers to work together.
Promote education about food and physical activity.
Facilitate community involvement in this effort.
The main purpose of this presentation is to improve school nutrition in the local elementary, middle, and high schools. It is imperative that we start with our primary students so that by the time they are in high school, they will have developed healthy eating habits. This effort will not happen if the parents and teachers do not work together. Parents you need to demand to administrators and school board members that your children deserve quality and healthy foods at school. Teachers should fight for better school nutrition programs so that their students are healthy and alert. Not to mention the fact that the teachers eat the same food as the students, so this can be a way to improve the overall health of the staff. Education is very important. We have to educate ourselves and the students about what is healthy eating, making smart food choices, and the benefits of being physically active. Once we have better school nutrition programs we can make this a community effort. There are also some sources in the community that can help us achieve a better school nutrition program.

3. Why Should the Schools Be Responsible for Nutrition?
Schools are a good place to reach all children and adolescents.
Schools provide the opportunity to practice healthy eating.
Schools can teach students how to eat healthy.
Skilled personnel are available in the school to help with nutrition.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from
The schools have a major responsibility in establishing good nutrition among school-aged children. 95% of the nation’s children are in school. That is the best way to reach their population at one time. Students spend on average 8 hours a day in school. That is enough time to influence and educate students on ways to live healthier through a school nutrition program.

4. Childhood Obesity Facts
It is a serious health concern!
Obesity is defined as a BMI (body mass index) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex (CDC, 2009).
Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile but lower than the 95th percentile (CDC, 2009)
Obese children are likely to be obese adults.
Obese children are more at risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Based on data from surveys, between prevalence of obesity has increased in children 2-5 years of age from 5%-12%; 6-11 years of age 6.5%-17%; and for those adolescents between years of age 5% to 17.6%.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from
Children and adolescents are classified as persons between the ages of A child’s BMI is determined by the age and sex of the child. Classifications for boys and girls vary.

5. Childhood Obesity Facts Continued…
A study found that approximately 80% of children who were overweight between ages were obese adults 25 years later.
Imbalance of consumed calories and physical activity-> major cause of childhood obesity.
Genetic factors could be a risk.
Environmental factors that contribute to the eating behavior of children: home, community, and the school.
School-aged children are consuming large portions and energy-dense foods.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from
The reason that school nutrition is important is because many of the kids that are obese now have a greater chance of being obese as an adults. Home, community, and school play a major role on the nutrition of a child. Children are influenced by what they see in their surroundings. Larger portion sizes contribute to more calories being consumed by adolescents. As calories increase and physical activity decreases, obesity occurs.

6. Kids and Obesity in Georgia
18% of Georgia’s students in 9th-12th grade are overweight.
14% of Georgia’s students in 9th-12th grade are obese.
44% of Georgia’s students in 9th-12th grade are not meeting the current recommendation for levels of physical activity.
Georgia Department of Education. (2008). School Nutrition. Retrieved from
These are the statistics for the entire state. As you can see there is a large percentage of 9th-12th grade students that are not getting enough physical activity. Items such as video games, computers, and cell phones are reasons why children of this age are not getting the required 60 minutes of daily activity.

7. Kids and Obesity in Georgia Continued…
1 in 5 youths in Georgia eat fruits and vegetables five times a day.
43% watch 3 or more hours of television each day.
Approximately one-third of Georgia’s youth drink at least one non-diet soda each day.
Georgia Department of Education. (2008). School Nutrition. Retrieved from
Children consume the largest amount of their daily food intake while at school. As parents and teachers, we have to make sure that our students are receiving the recommended daily nutritional requirements. Students are purchasing unhealthy food items at school and then they are not getting enough physical activity once they get home.

8. Current Programs In GA Schools
National School Lunch Program
-Georgia participates in this federal program and the state is required to provide healthy, well-balanced meals.
School Breakfast Program
-This program is provided by the state for all public school students, but only 31% of Georgia’s students eat breakfast at school.
Georgia’s Afterschool Snack Program
-Only public and residential child care facilities are eligible to participate in this program.
Georgia Department of Education. (2008). School Nutrition. Retrieved from
Georgia is an active participant of the National School Lunch Program. Schools can be federally reimbursed for their food and beverage purchase if those items meet the federal nutritional requirements. The breakfast program benefits parents who do not have time to fix a healthy breakfast in the morning for their kids. The after school snack program is for students that have to stay after school for various reasons under the supervision of a teacher or administrator. Most schools where the majority of their students have free or reduced lunch can get healthy snacks from the state to give their students that stay after regular school hours.

9. Healthy food choices should be based on the USDA Food pyramid
Healthy food choices should be based on the USDA Food pyramid. Listed under each color is the daily requirement for each food group. On the left of the pyramid it shows how physical activity should be added to maintain health. Public school lunch programs should be based on theses nutritional requirements. Even items in the vending and snack machines should be held to the same standard as the lunches being served.
United States Department of Agriculture. Food Pyramid. Retrieved from

10. Healthy Food Options at School or Home
Whole Grains
Fruits and Vegetables
Milk
Water
United States Department of Agriculture. Food Pyramid. Retrieved from
These are some examples of healthy foods. Breads should be whole-grain and milk products should be low in fat. Many of these, especially milk, are apart of the current school nutrition program. We have to encourage the students to eat some of these items at home.

11. Unhealthy Food Options at School or Home
High in saturated fats or trans fats
Refined flour and sugar
Fried foods
High sugar content
United States Department of Agriculture. Food Pyramid. Retrieved from
Even though these items taste good, they offer very little nutritional value to the daily diet of a child. Unfortunately items such as sodas with refined sugar and chips are sold in the vending machines at most middle and high schools. These items compete with the more nutritional options that are being offered with school lunch. Many kids are going for the unhealthy choices.

12. Vending Machines in Schools
Most of America’s middle schools have vending machines filled with high calorie snacks and sodas.
Schools make a profit on what is sold in the vending machine.
No national standard for items sold in the vending machine.
Schools feel they compete with vending machines.
Lowe, L. (2009, August 10). For Healthy Kids, Ban Junk Food from School Vending Machines. Atlanta Journal and Constitution
Many parents are giving their children money to purchase a well-balanced lunch everyday. Those students are using the money to buy items out of the vending machines in school. Some kids don’t want to wait in line so it is quicker for them to grab some chips and a soda. In order to decrease the incidence of obesity children, parents and schools have to fight for healthier options in snack machines. Many food service directors in smaller districts have trouble switching to healthier foods because of the cost.

13. Exercise Promotion in the Community and Schools
Policy
Environment
Physical Education
Health Education
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1996). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating, 45(RR-9);1-33. Retrieved January 20, 2009 from
Schools and local communities have to establish policies that promote lifelong physical activity for young people. We also have to make sure that we have an environment that is safe for kids to want to engage in physical activity. Physical education is already in the curriculum at most schools but teachers need to use that time to promote healthy living and require that students participate in some type of physical activity. No matter how short the time, students need to get moving. Health education should be a part of the physical education classes, but all subject teachers should incorporate a lesson dealing with the benefits of health. The science teachers should be the main leaders for health education in the school.

14. Diet Linked to Learning Difficulties
Iron Deficiency Anemia
affects the body’s ability to carry oxygen in the blood-> causes fatigue, short attention span, and decreased work capacity.
Malnutrition
cannot resist infection and has been linked to lower standardized test scores.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1996). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating, 45(RR-9);1-33. Retrieved January 20, 2009 from
Improper nutrition has been linked to poor academic performance in school-aged children. When children do not get the proper amount of daily nutrients they can suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Anemia can be corrected by eating more dark, leafy vegetable and eating lean meats. When students are malnourished, they can not concentrate at home or in school. They are more likely to get sick because they can not fight infections which will cause them to miss days of school. Not having the appropriate dietary needs can affect a young person’s growth and intellectual development. The school breakfast program is a great way for kids to start the day healthy.

15. What Can You Do As A Parent?
Educate students about nutrition.
Request healthy snacks be provided in snack machines.
Be an example of healthy living.
Find out what foods are being offered at your child’s school.
Encourage school and district administrators to adhere to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for school nutrition programs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from
As a parent, you are the best example that your child sees of what it means to be healthy. Be an advocate for your child’s school. Demand that they have healthy choices to choose from during lunch and in the vending machines. Make sure you educate yourself about what is being offered to your child at school. Incorporate more healthy choices at home for your child to choose from. Let them see you eating and preparing healthy meals. Lastly, make sure that your school cafeteria managers, teachers, and administrators follow the guidelines for a healthy school nutrition program. Let the school enforce what you are teaching your child at home about healthy choices.

16. Community Efforts for BetterSchool Nutrition
Kids Walk-to-School Federal Program
We Can!
Steps to a Healthier U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from
These are programs that each school can participate in. All the programs listed give you guidelines to follow. Kids Walk-to-School is a program that promotes physical activity for children of all ages. It suggests that primary and secondary schools children should walk or ride a bike to school to get in their 60 minutes of required daily activity. It will take a community to implement this program because parents are needed to monitor the school route and the schools need to provide additional crossing guards for safety. We Can! is a program sponsored by the National Institute of Health. Their primary purpose is to provide parents with the tools to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Steps to a Healthier United States is a nutrition program for adults and children. This programs is aimed at communities that have high rates of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. We Can! and Steps to a Healthier U.S. allows for program participants to write grants to receive money to promote the programs within their communities.

17. Further Information
Planet Health: An Interdisciplinary Curriculum for Teaching Middle School Nutrition and Physical Activity by Jill Carter
Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lilian Cheung, Steven Gortmaker, and Hank Dart
Georgia Department of Education: School Nutrition-
If you are interested in learning more about school nutrition and childhood obesity, please take advantage of the sources listed above. These books can be found at Barnes and Nobles or online through Amazon.com. These books focus on developing a curriculum in the school that incorporates physical activity and healthy eating into the daily curriculum. The websites can be used by parents and teachers to develop better eating habits at home and at school.

18. References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from
Georgia Department of Education. (2008). School Nutrition. Retrieved from
United States Department of Agriculture. Food Pyramid. Retrieved from
Lowe, L. (2009, August 10). For Healthy Kids, Ban Junk Food from School Vending Machines. Atlanta Journal and Constitution.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1996). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating, 45(RR-9);1-33. Retrieved January 20, 2009 from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Availability of Less Nutritious Snack Foods and Beverages in Secondary Schools. 58; 1-4. Retrieved January 20, 2009 from

19. Any Questions, Comments, or Concerns?
This concludes my presentation. Please be sure to contact your local school to see when the new school nutrition program will start.