CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF A SCHOOL

NUTRITION PROGRAM

RAVEN M. WELLS, MPH STUDENT

WALDEN UNIVERSITY

PUBH 6165-5

INSTRUCTOR: DR. STEPHEN ARNOLD

SPRING 2009

PREVALENCE OF CHILDHIOOD OBESITY Growing worldwide

Increasing from 4.0% to 17.0% in children ages 6-11. Increasing from 5.0% to 17.0% in children ages 12-19.

Disparities Prevalence is greater among Black boys (22.9%) and

girls and Mexican boys (21.1%) White males prevalence is 16.0%

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

RISKS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY There are many health risks associated with

obesity. D Cholesterol levels Hypertension Type-2 diabetes Self-esteem issues Early mortality

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008

THE IMPACT ENVIRONMENT HAS ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY Genetics determines the risk of obesity Environment determines to what extent the risk is

expressed Study found that 55-60% of variations in body fat and

body weight are likely due to the environment (Bouchard et al.,1990)

A second study found that children placed in an environment that is more health conscious are more likely to have positive thoughts and behaviors about health habits (Hampson, S., Andrews, J., Peterson, M., Duncan, S., 2007)

PROBLEM WITH NUTRITION IN SCHOOLS

Breakfast, lunch, and break foods with minimum nutritional value

Access to soda and vending machines

PROBLEMS WITH NUTRITION IN SCHOOLS (CONT.)

Access to competitive foods43% of elementary

schools have either a vending machine, school store, canteen, or snack bar

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000

RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING A NEED FOR A NUTRITION PROGRAM Effectiveness of school programs in preventing

childhood obesity: A multi-level comparison Compared excess body weight, diet, and physical

activity across schools with and without nutrition programs

Results show that students from schools participating in a program that incorporated recommendations for school based healthy eating programs had significantly lower rates of obesity and overweight, had healthier diets, and were more physically active

Veugelers, P.J., and Fitzgerald, A.L. (2005)

RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING A NEED FOR A NUTRITION PROGRAM Association between school food environment and

dietary behaviors of young adolescents Measured a la carte availability, number of school

stores, vending machines, and amount of fried potatoes served to students at school lunch in 16 schools

Results show that a la carte availability was inversely associated with fruit/vegetable consumption and positively associated with total and saturated fat intake. Results also showed a negative correlation between snack vending machines and fruit consumption

Kubik, M.Y., Lytle, L.A., Hannan, P.J., Perry, C.L., Story, M. (2003)

RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING A NEED FOR A NUTRITION PROGRAM Reducing total fat, saturated fatty acids, and

sodium: the CATCH Eat Smart School Nutrition Program School lunch modifications in the Eat Smart School

Nutrition Program were developed and tested in schools in hopes of decreasing fat, saturated fatty acids, and sodium intake

Results show that energy from total fat, energy from fatty acids, and sodium were reduced to 11%, 13%,and 13% respectively while maintaining RDA for all vitamins and minerals

Nicklas, T.A., Reed, D.B., Rupp, J., Snyder, P., Clesi, A.L., Glovsky, E., Bigelow, C., Obarzanek, E. (1992)

PROPOSED CHANGES Development better nutrition standards for meals served

during regular school hours

Make at least 50% of the snacks and beverages offered be healthy foods and drinks

Monitor and control the number of less healthy snacks and beverages consumed daily

Ask caregivers who send kids to school with lunch to incorporate healthier food

Educate the children about the importance of eating healthy

REFERENCES Childhood Overweight and Obesity. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved

December 28, 2008. www.cdc.gov

Bouchard C, Tremblay A, Despres JP, Nadeau A, Lupien PJ, Theriault G, et al. (1990). The response to long-term overfeeding in identical twins. N Engl J Med, 322(21):1477-82.

Hampson, S.E., Andrews, J.A., Peterson, M., Duncan, S.C. (2007). A Cognitive-Behavioral Mechanism Leading to Adolescent Obesity: Child Social Image and Physical Activity. Society of Behavioral Medicine, 34, 287-294.

Kubik, M.Y., Lytle, L.A., Hannan, P.J., Perry, C.L., Story, M. (2003). The association of school food environment with dietary behaviors of young adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 93(7): 1168-1173.

Must, A., Strauss, R.S. (1999). Risks and Consequences of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Internal Journal of Obesity, 23, S2-S11.

Nicklas, T.A., Reed, D.B., Rupp, J., Snyder, P., Clesi, A.L., Glovsky, E., Bigelow, C., Obarzanek, E. (1992). Reducing total fat, saturated fatty acids, and sodium: the CATCH Eat Smart School Nutrition Program. School food service research review, 16(2); 114-121.

Veugelers, P.J., Fitzgerald, A.L. (2005). Effectiveness of school programs in preventing childhood obesity: A multilevel comparison. American Journal of Public Health, 95(3): 432-435.