June 21, 2004

By: Sanya Millard
Website: http://www.1st-in-wellness.com

Report calling for increased attention to students’ nutrition

Senator Tom Harkin today released a staff report on the impact of so-called competitive foods - food sold outside the school lunch and breakfast program - on students’ diets and health. The vast majority of these competitive foods are more commonly referred to as junk food.

The report summarizes existing data on the availability of such foods in American schools as well as their impact on students’ diets and health. The report also notes broader trends in children’s dietary intake and health and concludes that immediate action is necessary to promote sound nutrition and prevent diet-related chronic disease.

I don’t know of any parents that knowingly pack their kids a lunch of chips, soda pop and a candy bar for lunch at school, said Harkin. But far too many kids can have this kind of lunch from food sources right at school. Ready access to less nutritious foods is having a negative impact on our students’ health, both immediately and long term.

A majority of students across the country have ready access to competitive foods contained in vending machines, a la carte options and other food sources. A General Accounting Office report noted that nationally, 43 percent of elementary schools have competitive food sources, while nearly 100 percent of high schools offer such food sources to students. The vast majority of items offered by these alternative sources of food contain much less and lower quality nutrition and, unlike school meal programs, are not required to meet dietary guidelines by the Department of Agriculture.

Competitive foods at school are facing increased scrutiny in light of rapid increases in childhood obesity. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, administered by the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has found a 300 percent increase since 1965 in the number of children ages 6-11 that are overweight. Since 1970, the percentage of overweight adolescents and young adults ages 12-19 has increased from five percent to 14 percent.

More than ever, we know that our nations students are facing increased health risks because of their poor diets, said Harkin. Ready access to junk food undermines our annual multi-billion dollar investment in child nutrition through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. Promoting healthier options in school vending machines and a la carte menus will help improve the health of our students and increase the effectiveness of taxpayer-funded school nutrition programs.

Harkin is the author of legislation that would give the Department of Agriculture the authority to regulate the sale of competitive foods at schools, while also providing grants for schools to provide healthier alternatives than vending machines and snack bars. He is also the author of a pilot program that provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at school.

About The Author:

Sanya Millard is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-wellness.com.  Obtaining and keeping good health through healthy living, natural healing, great mental health and healthy finances.