Sunday, January 15, 2012

Introductory Summary

Introductory Summary

The Cause, and the Reason for Advocacy
 
The industrialized world is facing a weight epidemic. In the United States, 2/3 of adults have BMI's that classify them as overweight or obese. Many other countries of the western world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are seeing similar increases in the prevalence of overweight/ obesity. 

Alarmingly these trends are not limited to the adult population. Children and adolescents are on a fast track to matching these statistics. As overweight/ obese children experiencing symptoms of chronic disease that have previously been associated with the "middle-age spread"; and are at heightened risk of becoming overweight/ obese adults - it is imperative that an intervention occurs in order to cease this trend towards an overweight population. 

Despite the recent gains in government recognition of the importance of early nutrition education and physical activity interventions, practical life skills which could help lifestyle choices which are directly correlated to preventable diseases are not being addressed in the school environment.     


It is unquestionable that children are the future, and what is more desirable than a healthier tomorrow? I strongly believe in the importance of providing children with the opportunity to make positive lifestyle choices through promoting a healthy school environment with a practical life skill curriculum, including cooking skills, physical activity, and nutrition education. It is my goal to advocate such a change, to support the occasional program or after-school activity that promote healthy lifestyles but moreover, to advocate for making health and nutrition a more regular aspect of traditional education. 

Current Legislation on the Issue

While there is no legislature that directly addresses nutrition becoming part of regular K-12 curriculum, there are a number of bills, laws, and regulations that affect child nutrition, physical activity standards in schools, and the school food environment. These include


Advocates on the Issue
While there is little activity towards nutrition becoming part of regular K-12 curriculum, there are a number of groups that advocate for improving the the health of children through nutrition interventions and increased physical activity. 

  • Kids Eat Right
    "Kids Eat Right is the first joint initiative from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, that supports the efforts of the White House to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation."
  • Let's Move
    "Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams."
  •  FIT Kids
    "The Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids) aims to help prioritize quality physical education in our schools."
  • National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
    "The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity's mission is to unite the strengths of public, private, and industry efforts into collaborative partnerships that inspire and empower all Americans to lead more physically active lifestyles."
  • Recipe for Success
    "Recipe for Success Foundation was launched in 2005 by Gracie & Bob Cavnar to lead the way in hands-on nutrition education aimed at preventing childhood obesity and encouraging long term health."
  • Healthy Kids and Teens
    "The Healthy Kids & Teens vision is: To help educate, motivate, and assist America’s youth in living healthier lives. There is a mirage of information available that addresses the problem of childhood obesity and its effects on our children’s health. After much discussion with kids, parents, school administrators, church staff, and others, the assessment is not that information is not available, but that it is not available in a simplified format that can be utilized by parents and kids alike."
  • Alliance for a Healthier Generation 
    "    The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to address one of the nation’s leading public health threats—childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference in a child’s health: homes, schools, doctor’s offices, and communities."
  • School Nutrition Services DPG group (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
    "We believe children should be empowered to make healthy food choices that reflect the nutrition principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA recommendations. We strive to Keep Nutrition in Our Schools."
  • Kid's Safe and Healthful Food Project
    "     The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are working together on the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project to provide nonpartisan analysis and evidence-based recommendations to help ensure that:
    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) adopts science-based nutrition standards for all foods and beverages served and sold in schools;
    • Schools have the resources they need to train cafeteria employees and replace outdated and broken kitchen equipment; and
    • USDA develops and implements rigorous school food safety policies.
    Kids deserve safe, healthy meals to help them grow, learn and succeed. Together we can help school foods make the grade."
     
     


by E Pace at 7:56 PM |

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