The foods children are exposed to at school make a significant difference in their eating behaviors and subsequently their overall health. With childhood obesity rates skyrocketing, the time to get healthier foods in schools is now.
Did you know?
- Studies show school-aged children get up to 47% of their total daily calories from meals and snacks consumed at school[i]; and
- A 2009 study suggests that students’ dietary habits are influenced by their school food environments of their schools[ii]; and
- Limiting access to low-nutrient, energy-dense foods to children at school may be a method of lowering daily caloric intake and in effect, controlling their weight[iii];
When the NC General Assembly reconvenes in May 2010, our NC senators and representatives will be given the opportunity to put changes in motion that will radically and positively affect the foods and beverages that are offered to NC students during the school day. Although the lunches and breakfasts provided as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) are required to meet federal nutrition standards, there are currently NO mandatory state or federal nutrition standards governing the sale of “competitive foods” in schools.
A “Competitive food” is any food or beverage sold to students during the school day in addition to the meal offered through the NSBP or NSLP. These foods are described as “competitive” because they compete with the nutritionally balanced lunch or breakfast provided through NSBP or NSLP. Competitive foods include à la carte items sold in the cafeteria through the school’s Child Nutrition Program (CNP) but can also include foods NOT sold through the school’s CNP such as those foods and beverages available through vending, school stores, fundraisers, as a part of classroom celebrations and any other venue available to students during the school day. These foods tend to be high in calories, fat, sodium and/or sugar and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Popular competitive foods include chips, candy, cookies and sugar sweetened beverages.
Unfortunately, many schools and CNPs have become financially reliant on the sale of competitive foods and therefore will need financial support from the state to do away with unhealthy foods and beverages. Therefore, in addition to the enactment of standards, CNPs need additional funding to help make these changes possible. For more information about the issues CNPs in NC are facing, including how they became financially reliant on competitive foods, please visit
www.ncschoolnutrition.com.
How can I help?
The NC General Assembly will be considering legislation in the 2010 short session beginning in May that could have a profound and positive impact on the types of foods we allow in our schools and also could help CNPs get the funding they desperately need and deserve. Public support and advocacy is needed now. Please consider making your voice heard; our children deserve a healthier future. There are several ways you can get involved;
- Contact your representative and ask them to support Child Nutrition Programs in North Carolina and the enactment of nutrition standards that will guide ALL foods in schools.
- Visit www.ncschoolnutrition.com for more information about the issues CNPs in NC are facing and check out the many resources including fact sheets, videos and presentations.
- Spread the word. Talk to your friends, family, neighbors, community members and coworkers about the issues. The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) at UNC, Chapel Hill has created several fact sheets targeting a variety of stakeholders including legislators, teachers and parents. The fact sheets can be downloaded here. HPDP also created a video discussing the importance of CNPs and describing the specific challenges they face. The video can be viewed here.
- Support the NC Alliance for Health (www.ncallianceforhealth.org) by making a financial donation. The Alliance is an established and well-known NC-based advocacy group who consistently and effectively advocates for policies that promote wellness and reduce the impact of obesity and smoking in NC. The Alliance continues to work side-by-side with schools and Child Nutrition leaders from across the state to establish, real and lasting changes in our NC schools.
Questions or Concerns?
Please contact:
Danielle Braxton MPH, RD, LDN
Project Director
UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
919.966.0359
[i] Condon, Elizabeth M., Mary K. Crepinsek, and Mary K. Fox. "School Meals: Types of Foods Offered to and Consumed by Children at Lunch and Breakfast."
J Am Diet Assoc 109 (2009): S67-78. Print.
[ii] Briefel, Ronette R., Mary K. Crepinsek, Charlotte Cabili, Ander Wilson, and Philip Gleason. "School Food Environments and Practices Affect Dietary Behaviors of US Public School Children."
J Am Diet Assoc 109 (2009): S91-107. Print.
[iii] Fox, Mary K., Allison H. Dodd, Ander Wilson, and Philip M. Gleason. "Association between School Food Environment and Practices and Body Mass Index of US Public School Children."
J Am Diet Assoc 109 (2009): S108-117. Print.
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