The Real Food FightThe issue of nutrition in schools

Good Nutrition=Good Learning Research has shown us that kids who eat breakfast:

produce better test scores, behavior better, showed a decrease in hyperactivity …but it’s also the qual i ty, not the quantity

Lunch at School The same goes for lunch (healthy choices=better learning) But if you eat at school and all you have are unhealthy

choices, you don’t even have the opportunity to eat right. Most schools aren’t offering those healthy alternatives to the

fried and greasy meals.

The Problem… Unhealthy food choices for student snacks and lunches

Effects of Unhealthy Food Childhood obesity epidemic Poor nutrition No energy

School Lunch of the Past Burgers Fries Pizza Breadsticks Chips Soft drinks

Vending MachinesIt’s not just the school lunch selection to blame, vending machines play a role in malnutrition in schools by offering:

Sugary beverages (pop, juice) Candy Processed snacks (chips, cookies, crackers) Snack cakes (brownies, buns) Ice cream

The Solution! Give children an alternative to unhealthy eating by offering

healthy, wholesome choices

School Lunch of the Future Fresh Cooked Meats Whole grain breads Lunch meat Salads Fruits/Vegetables Water

Research Doesn’t Lie Schools that have implemented a healthier style of eating all

say the same things:

Better academic performance Attendance increase Trouble spots decrease (drug, guns, expultions)

Programs for Healthier Lunches Natural Ovens Wholesome Tummies Many others…

But what about the cost? It is an investment (at about$20,000 a year), but as one doctor

said defending it "one child arrested would cost the schools more." (Dr. Scullen)

Dan Tauber of one Wisconsin school says, "Let’s invest in the kids now, financially, with food versus invest in them later, financially, with ’how do we correct the problems we have because they are not eating healthy?’"

according to another Wisconsin teacher, Mary Bruyette, nutrition should come up in the budget. "We’re concerned about everything else. We’re concerned about new band uniforms. We’re concerned about the football team. We’re concerned about text books. Why not be concerned about nutrition?”

Success Stories Tons of examples Effective at any grade level, any part of the country New York City area schools Appleton, Wisconsin Colorado area schools The list goes on…

Not Just About the Food Food education Being aware of what you’re eating Making healthy foods fun and appealing Physical activity Take existing “bad” foods you have and make them healthier

(studies show the students don’t even know)

Establishing Life Long Healthy Eating Habits Healthy kids become healthy adults Obesity #3 preventable death in the US Our country in the “fattest” in the world Need to start nutrition guidance early, in elementary, junior

high, and high school (not before it’s too late)

Image Citations Foodfight4x

Quest 007

http://illo.worth1000.com/entries/480460/foodfight-club

 

filling.face

jking89

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jking89/3476740902/

 

burger

JOE M500

http://www.flickr.com/photos/m500/2864342764/

pizza

andie712b

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andie712b/2066963097/

 

salad

stevedepolo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3557305803/

 

fruit

David Masters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmasters/3603240087/

 

healthy eating

tiffanywashko

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturalmom/3705088109/

Citations Ellerbee, William J.; Bramson-Paul, Phyllis.; Marcellino, Sara. (January/February

2006) Healthy Children Ready to Learn. Leadership v. 35 no3 (p. 26-9, 39).

Feingold AssociationA Different Kind of School Lunch. Retrieved from http://www.feingold.org/Bluebook/page-09-wisconsin.pdf

 

Pettigrew, Andre N. (2005) Denver’s Balancing Act for Obesity and Vending. School Administrator v. 62 no9 (p, 10-12)

Hernandez, Fabiola (May 27, 2009)Top 5 Fattest Countries in the World. Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1766192/top_5_fattest_countries_in_the_world_pg2_pg2.html?cat=51

Citations (cont.) http://www.healthyschoollunches.org/ http://www.healthylunches.org/