2. Nutrition in Schools
• Children spend most of their day in school whether it’s
preschool, elementary, middle, or high school.
• They have breakfast, lunch, and snacks at school which makes up for just
about all their meals except dinner.
• From the beginning of time the meals provided in schools were to keep
children feed.
• School officials were not concerned with the things children should be eating
and the things they should not.
3. Problems Children Face
• A study found that 80% of adults who were overweight as children, during pre to
elementary school are now obese.
• This tells us that this disease is starting young, and we must better our nutrition starting in
elementary schools to help solve the problem.
• It is also known that only 21 percent of young people eat the recommended five or more
servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and nearly half of all vegetable servings are
fried potatoes
• To decrease childhood obesity healthy food choices should be a part of school lunch menus
starting in elementary schools.
• The program connects schools with local farms to provide healthy cafeteria food while also
supporting local farmers.
5. Nutrition in Elementary Schools and Middle Schools.
• In 2007 a Elementary school in Whittier, California did a report on childhood
obesity in the county showed about 25 percent of Whittier children were
found to be obese.
• They have taken charge in trying to put more nutrition into elementary
schools.
• .They have already amped up their Physical Education program and educated
parents about health and nutrition.
• New Food Services program aimed at increasing the nutritional value of
cafeteria food and reducing waste.
• Having an proper nutrition in their cafeterias, it will help them get through
certain stages of their development such as obesity and diabetes which could
affect their self confidence and health.
6. Nutrition in Public High Schools
• The increase of childhood and adolescence obesity rates has become a major public
health concern in society because the obesity rates had risen rapidly.
• The children who suffer from obesity are high risk for health complication such as
diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and etc.
• Based on the increase of obesity school officials, legislators, parents, and special
interest group focus on the sale of foods in the school cafeteria.
• School officials focus on food options such as potato chips, French
fries, cookies, sodas and other unhealthy foods which included beverages as well.
These foods tend to be higher in calories and minimal nutrient density.
• High School implement the Stoplight Diet which included food offerings such as
water, 100% juice drinks, and zero calorie Gatorades. Schools focused on increasing
availability of low-fat foods and other foods with protein, vitamin A, vitamin
C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, and iron.
7. Nutrition in New Jersey Schools
• New Jersey was recognized by the
Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) for its
accomplishments for improving
nutrition for the kids
• New Jersey was one of the ten best
states that sold less nutritious food and
beverages from vending
machines, school store, or snack bar in
2008.
• In New Jersey, all schools, public and
private, must participate in the
federally funded child nutrition
programs.
8. Vending Machine • FDA has its own special law for
vending machines in secondary
schools in New Jersey.
• They have prohibited the sale of
foods of minimal nutritional value to
pupils at public elementary or middle
schools until at least one-half hour
after the end of `the school day.
• In New Jersey prohibited foods such
as candy bars, hard candy, and
chewing gum, etc.
• Vending machines in high schools
would have to contain at least one
food and one beverage item which
meets these dietary criteria.
9. References
• Childhood Obesity." Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, HHS. Web.
20 Apr. 2011. http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/
• Meyer, Mary Kay. "School Nutrition Environment in the Middle Grades and the Promotion of
Healthy Eating Behaviors." (2000): n. pag. Web. 11 Apr 2011.
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/nfsmi/Information/middle_school_nutrition_environment.pdf
• Wojcicki, Janet M, and Melvin B Heyman. "Healthier Choices and Increased
Participation in a Middle School Lunch Program: Effects of Nutrition Policy Changes in San
Francisco." 96.9 (2006): n. pag. Web. 11 Apr 2011.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=8&sid=82a1f7a1-b543-4566-8b18-
c2e7b807b8ee%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=2
2304246
• "San Rafael City Schools Strive For Better Nutrition - San Rafael, CA Patch." San Rafael, CA
Patch - News, Sports, Events, Businesses & Deals. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.
http://sanrafael.patch.com/articles/san-rafael-city-schools-strive-for-better-nutrition
• Snelling, A. M., & Kennard, T. (2009). The Impact of Nutrition Standards on Competitive Food
Offerings and Purchasing Behaviors of High School Students. Journal of School Health, 541-
(2004). Retrieved April 1, 2011, from The Food Trust : http://www.thefoodtrust.org/
10. Conclusion to Nutrition
• It is very important for schools to implant
healthy nutrition in their children.
• Students need to be educated on why
these foods are bad for them.
• Teachers and other school officials should
be including in the attempt as well as
parents and community members.
• Most of the problem comes from the fact
the parents are not educated on the
subject of nutrition so they cannot help
maintain their children’s healthy habits.
• Policies to educate the whole community
into play, parents can begin to purchase
and cook nutritious foods for their families.
• In order to be successful it is an effort that
includes everyone in the community not
just the school system.
• A healthy nutrition is important because it
allows of children to live long healthy
productive lives and it begins with us.
