Childhood Wellness and Obesity: Practical Solutions for School Administrators

IMPROVING NUTRITION IN OUR SCHOOLS

Princeton University

March 31, 2006

Tracy A. Fox, MPH, RD

President

Food, Nutrition & Policy Consultants, LLC

tracyfox@comcast.net

School Venues Where Food Is Sold or Offered

• School dining room• Vending machines and

school stores• Parties and classroom

snacks• Concession stands • After school programs• Fundraising activities• Staff and parent

meetings

Categories of School Foods/Beverages

• Federal School Lunch/Breakfast Program: most strict nutrition standards

• À la carte items available in cafeteria during meal service: very minimal standards and profits go to food service/school

• All other foods offered outside of the cafeteria walls: no standards or profit restrictions (vending, schools stores, parties, school events, etc.)

School Meals vs. a la carte

• Elementary: higher percentage of students participating in the school lunch program (reimbursable meal that meets strong nutrition standards)

• Secondary: drops significantly w/ a smaller percentage participating in school meals; majority of students who buy from the cafeteria purchase from the a la carte category (weaker standards-more junk)

Competitive Foods Can:

• decrease participation in school meals,

• decrease intake of foods offered in school meals, esp. fruits and veggies,

• lead to higher calorie and lower nutrient intake,

• lead to the perception that school meals are only for needy children.

Do Kids Need Snacks?• 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

“discretionary calories”• 130-360 calorie range for kids• Average is about 250 for most moderately

active kids– One 20 oz. soda or– 2 small (1 oz) bags of chips or– 8 cheese and PB crackers

Assumes they have already eaten a healthy diet!!

Vending Machines & School Stores

• 43% of elementary schools

• 74% of middle/junior high schools

• 98% of senior high

Source: CDC, School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000

$$ The Money Issue $$Success Stories

Healthy options can be profitable • Vista USD (CA): Child Nutr Services took

over operation-profits rose significantly • Philly: pilot project in schools - no

decrease in sales• North County HS (MN): worked w/ Coke

rep on improving vended options • Aptos MS (CA): PTA-driven pilot to

replace lunch & vended offerings w/ healthier choices

Success Stories (cont’d)

• Montgomery County (MD): established strong nutrition standards for vended and à la carte items

• Fayette County (KY): vending contract changes

• Union 106 (ME): student council and vending changes

Success Stories (cont’d)

• North Community HS (MN): added vending machines and healthier items; adjusted prices; saw profits

• Green Bay School District (WI): healthy à la carte line; increased reimbursable school lunch line and profits

• Hudson Falls School District (NY): New York State School Food Service Association’s “Choose Sensibly” implemented; sales increased

Healthy Fundraising

Consider:• 5K-10K

walk/runs• gift wrap• car washes• citrus sales

Instead of:• bake sales• candy, cookie,

pizza sales• Restaurant-based

promotions and discounts

OR – JUST ASK FOR THE MONEY!!

Healthy Snack Policies

• Fruit and veggie only policy• Lists of acceptable snacks• Parent involvement in snack policy• Limit parties to once a month• Don’t use food as reward

Funding Options to Jump Start Initiatives

• Price adjustments (price healthy items lower; junk food higher

• PTAs• Vending companies• Dairy association (low fat/skim only)• Health care organizations (local hospitals,

insurance companies, medical groups)• Local colleges/universities (research

interest)

USDA Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program

• Provides FREE f/v as snacks to students in participating schools

• 14 states; 3 tribes• 25 schools in each state/tribe• Huge success among all – students,

teachers, administrators, parents• Lobby/advocate your MOC for expansion• Details at: UFFVA.ORG

Keys to Success

• Community advocacy• Champions: county leaders’

involvement is key (BOE, superintendent, health councils)

• Success stories: shows that it can be done – often with a profit

• Education: constant awareness raising of obesity/health issues

• Customer service: making healthy options appealing and “cool”

• Teamwork: among key stakeholders

You Hold the Keys to Success - Be the

Change You Want to See in the World – In

Your Community!

Resources