Improving the School Nutrition Environment for School Administrators

1
Improving the School Nutrition EnvironmentforSch
ool Administrators

• Kaveri Kantharaj, M.P.H
• Walden University
• PUBH-6165-2
• Instructor Dr. Rebecca Heick

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Why Schools Need Healthy Nutrition

• Obesity among children (age 6-19 yrs) increased
  15 since 1980
• Childrens diets contains more fat and less
  nutrients
• Early indicators of chronic disease begin in
  youth
• Childhood obesity leads to adulthood obesity
• References
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School
• GAO (2003). School Lunch Program Efforts Needed
  to Improve Nutrition and Encourage Healthy
  Eating

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Under Nutrition Health Effects

• Under nutrition can have long lasting health
  effects on children
• Under nourishment can affect childrens mental
  development, cognitive skills, school performance
• Lead to less fit and under performing adults
• References
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School

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Benefits of Healthy Nutrition

• Utilize education potential to the fullest
• Nutrition influences development and learning
  abilities
• Healthy adulthood
• Improve the quality of life
• References
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School

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Good Nutrition Leads to Healthy Adulthood

• Less frequency of acute disease and illness
• Fosters mental, social, and physical well-being
• Diet with adequate rich calcium leads to stronger
  bones
• Diets rich in protein and salt decreases bone
  density later in life

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Good Nutrition Leads to Healthy Adulthood
(continued)

• Healthy diet contributes to more mobility in
  older age
• Stronger bones in youth means less chances of
  osteoporosis in old age
• References
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School

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Healthy Nutrition Reduces Health Risks

• Prevent chronic diseases such as coronary heart
  disease, diabetes, and hypertension
• Reduce the growing number of diet related and
  non-communicable diseases
• References
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School

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Good Nutrition Strengthens the Economy

• Children with adequate nutrition become
  productive adults
• Productive adults improve their income which is
  beneficial for the entire family
• Productive adults contribute to national economy
• Gained time and resources can be utilized for
  other productive activities

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Good Nutrition Strengthens the Economy (continued)

• Nutrition interventions have reduced disease
  burdens in low and middle income families
• Nutrition intervention reduces health care costs
• Intervention at school level is more economical
  than at adult age level
• References
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School

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Nutrition Intervention at School Level

• Schools offer more effective, efficient and equal
  opportunities than any other setting to promote
  health and healthy eating
• Young people are easily reachable with
  intervention programs
• Schools provide settings for education and social
  interaction among students, teachers and parents.

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Nutrition Intervention at School Level (continued)

• Nutrition education to students may influence
  their younger sibling
• Involvement of parents at elementary level has
  been shown to improve eating habits of both
  parents and children
• School is the best place to host community
  intervention projects
• References
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School

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Six Step Plan for Nutrition Awareness

• Form a committee
• School administrators, nurse, teachers,
  counselors, parents and community members
• Create a checklist
• Identify areas of improvement
• Develop Action Plan
• Identify areas of improvement
• Identify materials and resources
• Define criteria for evaluating progress

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Six Step Plan for Nutrition Awareness (continued)

• Implement the action plan
• Assign responsibilities and oversee the project
• Review
• Periodic review of progress
• Revise the plan if necessary
• Communicate with major stake holders
• Conduct presentations
• Share the goals and encourage more participation
• References
• USDA (2000). Changing the Scene Improving the
  School Nutrition Environment

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Additional Resources

• WHO (1999).Improving Health Through Schools
  National and International Strategies - Retrieved
  Jan 10th, 2010 from http//www.who.int/school_yout
  h_health/media/en/94.pdf
• The American Dietetic Association (2003).
  Backgrounder to School Nutrition Programs
  Competitive Foods and Nutrition Education -
  Retrieved Jan 10th, 2010 from http//www.eatright.
  org/uploadedFiles/Health_Professionals/Food_and_Nu
  trition_in_Public_Policy/Federalnutritionprogramsb
  ackgrounder.pdf

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Thank You !

• Questions/feedback?
• Kaveri.kantharaj_at_waldenu.edu

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References

• USDA (2000). Changing the Scene Improving the
  School Nutrition Environment. Retrieved Jan 10th,
  2010 from http//www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/gui
  de.pdf
• GAO (2003). School Lunch Program Efforts Needed
  to Improve Nutrition and Encourage Healthy Eating
  Retrieved Jan 10th, 2010 from
  http//www.gao.gov/new.items/d03506.pdf
• WHO (1998). Healthy Nutrition An Essential
  Element of a Health-Promoting School Retrieved
  Jan 10th, 2010 from http//www.who.int/school_yout
  h_health/media/en/428.pdf