Nutrition Programs for Children (continued)

Improving Nutritional Standards

Many nutritionists and others who are concerned about children's nutrition suggest that school meals should be higher in fiber and lower in fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar; and should average 30% of calories from fat. A USDA (1992a) study found that NSLP meals averaged approximately 38% of calories from fat. An informal study of 612 elementary school menus confirmed the popularity of high-fat foods in school meals (USDA, 1992b).

In order to further improve the nutrition of children in school, the NHEC recommends that:

• SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL remove food vending machines from schools; allow children sufficient time to eat breakfast and lunch; and make the school cafeteria an attractive and inviting place;

• DIETITIANS AND PARENTS encourage school officials to remove foods of low nutritional value from school vending machines; and urge elected officials to eliminate the whole milk requirement for NSLP meals.

Conclusion

Many effective public and private child nutrition initiatives are in place. However, underfunding, excessive paper-work, and other barriers limit their reach. These barriers can be surmounted if policymakers, educators, dietitians, health professionals, and parents work together to make good nutrition for youth a national priority.

Fore More Information

American Cancer Society (ACS) and National Cancer Institute. (1990). CHANGING THE COURSE. Atlanta: ACS.

Federal Interagency ad hoc Committee on Health Promotion through the Schools. (1992). HEALTHY SCHOOLS: A DIRECTORY OF

FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO HEALTH PROMOTION

THROUGH THE SCHOOLS. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ED 360 303.

General Accounting Office. (1992). EARLY INTERVENTION: FEDERAL INVESTMENTS LIKE WIC CAN PRODUCE SAVINGS. Washington, DC: Author.

Greenstein, R. (1992). IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE POOR: STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION. Menlo Park, CA: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

Meyers, A., A. Sampson, and M. Weitzman. (1991). Nutrition and Academic Performance in School Children. CLINICS IN APPLIED NUTRITION 1(2, April): 13-25.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Service. (1994). EFNEP: IMPACT AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Washington, DC: Author.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. (1992a). CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM OPERATIONS STUDY, SECOND YEAR REPORT: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Alexandria, VA: Author.

..... (1992b). FOOD AND NUTRITION. Vol. 22. No. 1-2. Alexandria, VA: Author.