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The Truckee Tahoe Nutrition Coalition. working together to promote optimum health through nutrition and physical activity. A diverse group of individuals and organizations from our community including: Health professionals: Physicians, Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists
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The Truckee Tahoe Nutrition Coalition working together to promote optimum health through nutrition and physical activity
A diverse group of individuals and organizations from our community including: Health professionals: Physicians, Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists School District Members: Food Service Director, Teachers, Principals Who Are We?
Community Service Providers: Project MANA, Family Resource Centers, School Readiness, Sierra Nevada Children’s Services • Day Care and Preschool Providers • Private Business Owners • Placer County Health Department • Parents and community members
Mission • To implement education and programs that promote nutrition and physical activity for the children and parents of our community, though a collaborative effort of people and resources.
Nutrition Coalition Interventions Targeted at reversing the current trend of increasing childhood obesity and early development of chronic diseases such as Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease.
Health Statistics • Incidence of overweight children aged 6-11 has doubled since the late 1970’s • Today 1 out of 4 children is overweight or at risk of becoming overweight
Health Statistics • 60% of children age 5-10 have one or more risk factors for heart disease • 40% of today’s children will develop Type II Diabetes in their lifetime if current trends do not change
Overfed but Poorly Nourished • “Whether they are overweight or not, children in U.S. elementary schools are generally over fed, poorly nourished, and sedentary. This combination is the worst possible scenario for their health today and their future longevity.” University of California Cooperative Extension
What Can We Do? • Nutrition Coalition target population is birth through age 14 • Interventions target children • Birth to Five • Elementary School
Accomplishments to Date • Tahoe Truckee Unified School District: • Increase fresh fruits and vegetables to 3 times a week • Offer whole grain products where available • Offer healthier options though the Middle School Brunch menu
Accomplishments to Date • Supported removal of high sugar beverages from Middle school vending machines. • Will continue to support the District as requirements of SB12 come into effect for the next school year.
Accomplishments to Date • Conducted a training for food service staff on preparing fruits and vegetables children will eat. • Supported environmental changes made at some schools including: • using non-food rewards in the classroom • removing all sodas from campus • providing recess before lunch at elementary schools
Accomplishments to Date • Providing a monthly nutrition column in the Sierra Sun • Providing Fun Food Days at all district elementary schools
Fun Food Day • Promotes fruit and vegetable consumption • Provides access in a safe and fun environment
Future Plans • Primary Goal: assist TTUSD in implementing the nutrition components of its Wellness Policy
TTUSD Wellness Policy • Nutrition education shall be provided as part of the health education program. • Encourage staff to act as positive role models. • Encourage consistent health messages between home and school environment by disseminating information through newsletters, handouts, meetings, web sites, etc.
TTUSD Wellness Policy • Foods and beverages available to students should support the health curriculum and promote optimal health. • Encourage school organizations to use healthy food items or non-food items for fundraising.
TTUSD Wellness Policy • Encourage school staff to avoid the use of non-nutritious foods as a reward. • Encourage parents/guardians to consider nutritional quality when selecting snacks for parties. Limit foods that do not meet nutritional standards to no more than 1 per party.
Identify at least one person at each school who is responsible for ensuring the school implements the district’s wellness policy.
Future Plans • Implement a nutrition education curriculum in grades K through 5th • Promote a consistent message in the classroom, lunch room and school district • Continue to improve the quality of the school lunch program • Expand nutrition education/promotion to the community
Nutrition Coalition • For more information or to get involved, contact; • Maria Martin, MPH, RD mmartinrd@yahoo.com 587-3769, ext 228