1 why healthy nutrition in schools? jessica donze black rd, mph director, kids safe and healthful...
TRANSCRIPT
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Why Healthy Nutrition in Schools?
Jessica Donze Black RD, MPH
Director, Kids Safe and Healthful Foods Project
www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org
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Schools have a lot on their plate….
Common Core
Safety
Bullying
Test scores
Technology
Overcrowding
School Improvement Plans
Enrichment
IEPs
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NUTRITION?• Most students consume as many as half of their
calories at school. • Studies show that students who eat school lunches
eat healthier than those who do not – they get more fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy.
• Nationally, 94% of elementary schools, 96% of middle schools, and 73% of high schools have closed campuses, which means that the food on campus is the food available to them during the day.
• Healthy students have better attendance and do better on standardized exams.
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First, we updated the school meal standards and got a few questions….
• Are kids getting enough to eat?– Meal intended to meet 1/3 of daily needs of average student.– Up to 850 calories in High School.– Previous average was 857 so not that different in total – just
coming from some healthier sources. • Why is the Federal Government setting nutrition guidelines for
meals?– It’s a Federally funded program and USDA has been setting
standards for meals since 1946. • Will kids really eat foods that meet these standards?
– It may take some clever marketing and change management but young people will absolutely eat healthier foods.
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Now, it’s been nearly 2 years and the evidence shows the new standards are working…
• Some schools faced initial challenges, but both KSHF and GAO reports showed that most districts anticipated being able to overcome the challenges they were facing.
• 90% of districts are meeting updated standards
• A recent Harvard study demonstrates that children are consuming more fruits and vegetables and despite anecdotal reports…plate waste has NOT increased.
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Next step: make sure the rest of the foods in school are healthy, too.
• Sixty-two percent of public elementary students and nearly all high school students can purchase “competitive” foods or beverages on campus.
• Less-healthy competitive products are commonly available:– 44 percent of public elementary school students can buy
foods such as potato chips, candy, cookies or french fries; – 17 percent could buy sugar-sweetened beverages – 38 percent could buy high-fat milks through vending
machines, à la carte lines or other competitive venues on campus.
• In states with strong snack food laws, children gained less weight over a 3-year period compared to states without strong laws.
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Parents want to know that their children have healthy options during the school
day• 80% of the voters surveyed favor national
standards to limit the calories, fat content and sodium in food served in U.S. schools, while encouraging more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy items
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Healthy Nutrition Standards are win-win for Parents and Schools
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What can you do?• Get involved in your school, community, and
state! • What are your state/local snack and a la
carte standards and is it time to update them?
• Do parents know about and support healthier nutrition standards?
• Already doing great work? Share your story and support other schools!
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Next steps?
• Watch your PTA updates and follow us at www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org
• Follow us on twitter @JDonzeBlack_Pew