“Nutrition-Friendly Schools” Presentation by Project PA For Pennsylvania School Policy Makers 2001

1. “Nutrition-Friendly Schools” Presentation by Project PA For Pennsylvania School Policy Makers 2001

3. This project is funded by a 2000 USDA Team Nutrition Grant.

4. Is Your School Nutrition-Friendly? Why Should You Care?

5. America’s children are NOT making the grade when it comes to good nutrition.

6. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000

7. Percentage of US Children, Ages 12-17, Who Were Overweight by Sex 11.4% 9.9%

8. Percentage ofadolescents & young adults regularly engaged in vigorous physical activity % Age

9. Only 2% meet the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid.

10. 16% do not meet any of the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid.

12. 64% of youngsters eat too much fat. 68% eat too much saturated fat.

13. Teenagers today drink twice as much carbonated soda as milk.

14. Only 19% of teen-aged girls meet the recommended intakes for calcium.

15. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000

16. Nutrition and Health

17. Osteoporosis - “a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences”

18. Obesity is related to many health problems including: • high blood cholesterol • high blood pressure • heart disease • stroke • some forms of cancer • arthritis •  diabetes

19. Being overweight as a child also has emotional and psychological consequences.

20. Type II diabetes now affects 30,000 children.

21. Nutrition and Learning

22. Participation in School Breakfast Program • is associated with: • improved test performance • reduced tardiness and absenteeism • increased attention • improved behavior

23. “Schools could do more than perhaps any other single institution in society to help young people, and the adults they will become, to live healthier, longer, more satisfying, and more productive lives.” - The Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development

24. Why Schools? • reach almost all children • provide healthy eating opportunities • have skilled personnel • can improve eating behaviors

25. “increase the proportion of children and adolescents whose intake of meals and snacks at schools contributes proportionally to good overall dietary quality”

26. “...adopt a coordinated school nutrition policy that promotes healthy eating through classroom lessons and a supportive school environment.”

27. School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children - 1995 • Nutrients Standards • Dietary Guidelines

28. School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study II NSLP participants consume less added sugar and more vegetables and milk.

29. Some Issues for School Decision Makers • Vending machines • Fund-raisers focused on candy sales • A la carte food sales • Fast food contracts • Pouring rights contracts

32. What is a Nutrition-Friendly School?

33. Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity 1.

34. Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity 1. 2. Quality School Meals

35. Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity 1. 2. Quality School Meals Other Healthy Food Options 3.

36. Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Pleasant Eating Experiences 1. 4. 2. Quality School Meals Other Healthy Food Options 3.

37. Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Pleasant Eating Experiences 1. 4. 2. 5. Quality School Meals Nutrition Education Other Healthy Food Options 3.

38. Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Pleasant Eating Experiences 1. 4. 2. 5. Quality School Meals Nutrition Education Other Healthy Food Options 6. 3. Marketing

39. Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity • Nutr. and phys. activity are top priorities • Policies are in place • SFS is on policy-making team • School health councils are formed

40. Quality School Meals • School meals programs are available and • are promoted. • Healthy, appealing choices are available. • SFS staff is properly trained. • Menus meet nutrient standards.

41. Other Healthy Food Options • All foods in school make a positive • contribution to children’s diets • School policies address foods in school that are NOT associated with the meal program. • Decisions are based on nutrition goals for students, not profit.

42. Pleasant Eating Experiences • Meal times and lengths are appropriate. • Serving and seating areas are adequate and attractive. • Drinking fountains and hand-washing equipment are available. • Whether or not students pay full price for meals is kept confidential.

43. Nutrition Education • Nutrition ed. (pre-K through grade 12) focuses on skill development. • Dining room and classroom are linked. • Messages are reinforced throughout school.

44. Marketing • Healthy eating and physical activity are • actively promoted. • Students receive positive messages • throughout the school environment.

45. Six Components of a “Nutrition-Friendly School” Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity Pleasant Eating Experiences 1. 4. 2. 5. Quality School Meals Nutrition Education Other Healthy Food Options 6. 3. Marketing

46. CalltoAction

47. Partnerships • School food service staff • Parents • Students • Local Organizations

48. A coordinated school nutrition policy should . . . be about creating a school environment in which students and staff are provided with a variety of nutritious food choices and messages about healthy eating habits. NASBE Policy Update, "School Nutrition Programs"

49. It is a whole lot less expensive to raise healthy kids than to try to take care of unhealthy adults. Robert Ascah, State College Area School Board Member

50. We have to say, "What is our real priority here?“ Because we can't have it both ways. We can't say one thing and then model another. Paul Edwards, Superintendent of the Wayne Highlands School District