article written by:
Lisa Jenkins RD/LD ~ Director of School Food Service
Fayetteville Public Schools ~ Fayetteville, Arkansas
December 11, 2002
"Helping Students Learn to Eat Healthy" – A call to action by
the USDA
Healthy eating is an important life skill. It helps children
grow, develop and do well in school. It prevents childhood and adolescent
health problems such as obesity, dental caries and iron deficiency anemia.
Developing healthy eating habits lower the risk of future chronic disease
such as hear disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer and reduces potential
health care costs.
What is healthy eating? It’s following the Dietary Guidelines
for Americans recommended by the Department of Agriculture and the Department
of Health and Human Services. These guidelines include aiming for fitness
by attaining and maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active
every day. They encourage building a healthful diet by choosing a variety
of fruits, vegetables, and grains, especially whole grains, daily. Being
sensible when choosing your foods for your diet. Choose foods that are
low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat. Moderate
your intake of sugar and salt by looking at food labels and being aware
of the levels of sugar and salt in the foods you eat.
Many children are flunking healthy eating and the consequences
are troubling:
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Childhood obesity is a national epidemic.
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The percentage of young people who are overweight has more
than doubled in the past 30 years.
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Unhealthy eating and physical activity are causes of obesity
and chronic disease, resulting in at least 300,000 deaths each year.
-
Poor nutrition associated with heart disease, stroke, cancer
and diabetes, alone, now costs $71 billion a year in healthcare costs.
The USDA has recognized this epidemic and has introduced
a new tool kit called "Changing the Scene". It focuses on school environment
issues that influence students’ eating and physical activity practices.
It was developed to promote discussion of healthy school environments at
the national, State and local level.
The USDA says we have the opportunity to reverse these
trends and make an investment in students’ learning readiness as well as
their short- and long- term health. We can help reduce the obesity epidemic
and the risk of health-related chronic diseases. And most importantly,
schools and communities can help our students learn to enjoy healthy eating
and physical activity, so they will become lifetime habits.
At the local level the USDA encourages schools to:
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Teach healthy eating skills in the classroom and dining areas
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Serve meals that meet USDA nutrition standards in the school
dining areas
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If A la carte foods are offered, be sure they contribute
to healthy eating patterns
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If Vending machines be sure they contain healthy snacks
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Schedule meals when children are hungry
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Allow adequate time for children to enjoy their meals with
friends
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Teach by example – adults and peers are role models
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Eliminate use of food as a reward
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Ensure financial decisions do not undermine nutrition goals
The Fayetteville School Food Service Department has taken
a good look at its school food service environment and feel we have a good
start at changing the scene. Our school meals meet the USDA nutrition standards
and we offer a variety of nutritious foods from each of the food groups.
A la carte foods offered can contribute to healthy eating patterns if eaten
in moderation and combined with other fruits and vegetables available.
Principals at each school strive to allow adequate time for meals and to
schedule meals when children are hungry. We will continue to look at our
school lunch environment and work towards meeting each of the call to action
recommendations by the USDA. As a team of administrators, parents, teachers,
school food service professionals and community leaders we can make the
most of your students’ futures by focusing on nutrition, physical activity
and healthy children.
For more information: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn
Reference: USDA. The School Environment. Helping Students
Learn to Eat Healthy. September 2000
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn