Increasing plant-based menu items within Lee County Public Schools
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Transcript Increasing plant-based menu items within Lee County Public Schools
PUBH 8165-1 Service-based learning activity
Rosemarie Hemmings, PhD student
Walden University
Environmental Health
PUBH 8165-1
Dr. Howard E. Rubin
November 5, 2010
Objectives
Understand why poor nutrition is a problem.
Understand why the problem exist.
Identify where schools fit in.
Identify benefits of increasing plant-based-menu
options.
Identify barriers to increasing plant-based menu
options.
Identify opportunities.
Why is poor nutrition a problem?
Almost 34 percent of children and adolescents are
considered overweight or at risk of being
overweight (Musher-Eizenman et al., 2010, p. 186).
Sixty percent of children who are overweight have
at least one cardiovascular risk factor (MusherEizenman et al., 2010, p. 186).
Musher-Eizenman, D. R., Young, K. M., Laurene, K., Galliger, C., Hauser, J., & Wagner Oehlof, M.
(2010). Children’s sensitivity to external food cues: How distance to serving bowl influences children’s
consumption. Health Education and Behavior, 37, 186. doi: 10:1177/1090198109335656
Why is poor nutrition a problem continued
Childhood obesity has more than doubled over the
past three decades for ages 2 to 5 and 12 to
19(Mathematica Policy Research, Inc, 2010).
Childhood obesity has more than tripled for children
aged 6 to 11(Mathematica Policy Research, Inc, 2010).
In 2005 more than one-fourth of Florida’s children
were overweight or obese (Florida House of
Representative, 2006).
Florida House of Representative. (2006). HR 9095. Retrieved from Florida House of Representative website:
http://flhouse.gov/sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h9095_.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNu
mber=9095&Session=2006
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (2010). Nutrition policy research. Retrieved from Mathematica Policy
Research, Inc website: http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/nutrition/maintopic.asp#obesity
Why is poor nutrition a problem
continued
Obesity in childhood contributes to physical, social and
emotional wellbeing of children (Mayo Clinic, 2010).
Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,
sleeps disorders, early puberty or menstruation are physical
complications of childhood obesity (Mayo Clinic, 2010).
Low self-esteem, bullying, depression, behavior and
learning problems are social and emotional complications
as a result of childhood obesity (Mayo Clinic, 2010).
Mayo Clinic. (2010). Childhood obesity. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic website:
http://www.mayoclinica.com/health/childhood-obesity/DSoo698/DSECTION=complications
Why does the problem exist?
Not enough exercise and increase calorie intake
Consuming diets high in fat and sugar
Why does the problem exist
continued
Most children do not eat the recommended daily 3 ½
to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables (Produce for Better
Health Foundation([PBHF], 2005).
Produce for Better Health Foundation. (2005). Promoting fruits and vegetables in schools: Wellness policy opportunities
(666-1205). Retrieved from Produce for Better Health Foundation website:
http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pdfs/pulse/policy/programs/wellnesspolicybrochure666_1205Hires.pdf
Where do schools fit in?
Approximately 2.2 million breakfast and 7.2
million lunches are served in Lee County
public schools each year (The School District of
Lee County, 2010).
Seventy percent of students were enrolled in
the free and/or reduced lunch program in
2009/10 school year (The School District of Lee
County, 2010).
The School District of Lee County. (2010). Factoids. Retrieved from The School District of Lee County
website: http://www.leeschools.net/info/factoids.htm
Where do schools fit in continued
Food consumption in the school setting
contributes significantly to student’s diet
(Condon, Crepinsek, & Fox, 2009).
Access to fruits and vegetables is positively
associated to adolescences consumptions of
these items (Di Noia & Contento, 2010).
Condon, E. M., Crepinsek, M. K., & Fox, M. K. (2009, February). School meals: Types of foods offered to and
consumed by children at lunch and breakfast. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 2suppl, 567-578.
Di Noia, J., & Contento, I. R. (2010, June). Fruit and vegetable availability enables adolescent consumption that
exceeds national average. Nutrition Research, 30(6), 396-402. doi: 10:1016/j.nutres.2010.06.008
Benefits of increasing plant-based
menu items
Fruits and vegetable contributes to decreased risk
of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease
and type 2 diabetes (PBHF, 2005).
Fruits and vegetables can help with achieving a
healthy weight as these items are lower in calorie
content than high fat/sugar/sodium foods and
drinks (PBHF, 2005).
Provides the option of eating something different
from the norm.
Produce for Better Health Foundation. (2005). Promoting fruits and vegetables in schools: Wellness policy
opportunities (666-1205). Retrieved from Produce for Better Health Foundation website:
http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pdfs/pulse/policy/programs/wellnesspolicybrochure666_1205Hires.pdf
Benefits of increasing plant-based
menu items continued
Helps provide low fat and cholesterol free foods
(Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
(PCRM, 2008).
Incorporates taste for foods that are nutritious at an
early age which can carry into adulthood (PCRM,
2008).
Including one plant-based meal a week can be the
start to correcting poor nutrient intake (Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM, 2008).
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. (2008). Health school lunches. Retrieved from Healthy school
lunches.org website: healthyschoolluches.org
Barriers
More expensive.
Vegetarian food/alternative protein are not part of
the commodity program.
Location and presentation of plant-based menu
items may deter students from consuming these
items.
Opportunities
Congress has expanded commodity food.
purchases to include increase whole grains
(PCRM, 2008).
Congress authorized increase in funding for
purchases of fruits and vegetables (PCRM, 2008).
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. (2008). Health school lunches. Retrieved from Healthy school
lunches.org website: healthyschoolluches.org
Opportunities continued
National School Lunch Program [NSLP] approved
alternative protein products [APPs] which means
schools can offer meatless foods such as vegetarian
burgers (PCRM, 2008).
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. (2008). Health school lunches. Retrieved from Healthy school
lunches.org website: healthyschoolluches.org
Opportunities continued
The Healthy School Meal Act of 2010 (HR.4870) if
approved aims to include plant-based options in
schools lunches and breakfast, increase access and
make it affordable by providing incentives to
schools who offer plant-based options. Provisions
include purchasing of plant-based alternative
protein products by USDA which schools could
purchase through the commodities program as
they do other foods (PCRM, 2008).
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. (2008). Health school lunches. Retrieved from Healthy school
lunches.org website: healthyschoolluches.org
Suggested plant-based menu items
Veggie burger
Bean chili
Black beans and rice
Rice burritos
Veggie chili
Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for snack machines
are a healthy alternative to chips and cookies
Soy milk
Conclusion
Recognizing that one fourth of Florida’s children were either
obese or overweight, the Florida House of Representatives
passed a resolution designating 2006-2007 “Healthy Schools
Lunch Year”. The resolution was designed to promote healthy
foods such as vegetarian options into the school lunch
programs (Florida House of Representative, 2006). We must
ask ourselves, did we and are we maximizing the 2006
resolution to the full benefit of our students and if the answer
is no, then it is time to step up our efforts and make the
nutritional wellbeing of Lee County public school children a
priority so that we do not contribute to a future generation of
overweight and obese adults.
Florida House of Representative. (2006). HR 9095. Retrieved from Florida House of Representative website:
http://flhouse.gov/sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h9095_.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=9095&Session
=2006
References
Brownell, K. D., Kersh, R., Ludwig, D. S., Post, R. C., Puhl, R. M., Schwartz, M.
B., & Willett, W. C. (2010, March). Personal responsibility and obesity: A
constructive approach to a controversial issue. Health Affairs, 29(3), 379-387.
doi: 10:1377/hlthaff.2009.0739
Condon, E. M., Crepinsek, M. K., & Fox, M. K. (2009, February). School meals:
Types of foods offered to and consumed by children at lunch and breakfast.
Journal of American Dietetic Association, 2suppl, 567-578.
Di Noia, J., & Contento, I. R. (2010, June). Fruit and vegetable availability
enables adolescent consumption that exceeds national average. Nutrition
Research, 30(6), 396-402. doi: 10:1016/j.nutres.2010.06.008
Florida House of Representative. (2006). HR 9095. Retrieved from Florida
House of Representative website:
http://flhouse.gov/sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h9095_.doc
&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=9095&Session=2006
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (2010). Nutrition policy research. Retrieved
from Mathematica Policy Research, Inc website: http://www.mathematicampr.com/nutrition/maintopic.asp#obesity
References
Mayo Clinic. (2010). Childhood obesity. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic website:
http://www.mayoclinica.com/health/childhoodobesity/DSoo698/DSECTION=complications
Musher-Eizenman, D. R., Young, K. M., Laurene, K., Galliger, C., Hauser, J., &
Wagner Oehlof, M. (2010). Children’s sensitivity to external food cues: How
distance to serving bowl influences children’s consumption. Health Education
and Behavior, 37, 186. doi: 10:1177/1090198109335656
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. (2008). Health school
lunches. Retrieved from Healthy school lunches.org website:
healthyschoolluches.org
Produce for Better Health Foundation. (2005). Promoting fruits and vegetables
in schools: Wellness policy opportunities (666-1205). Retrieved from Produce
for Better Health Foundation website:
http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pdfs/pulse/policy/programs/wellnesspolicybr
ochure666_1205Hires.pdf
The School District of Lee County. (2010). Factoids. Retrieved from The School
District of Lee County website: http://www.leeschools.net/info/factoids.htm
Additional resources
Finkelstein, D. M., Hill, E. L., & Whitaker, R. C. (2008, July). School food
environments and policies in U.S. public schools. American Academy of
Pediatrics, 122(1), 251-259. doi: 10:1542/peds.2007-2814
Fox, M., Hedley Dodd, A., Wilson, A., & Gleason, P. M. (2009, February).
Association between school food environment and practice and body mass
index of U.S. public school children. Journal of American Diabetic Association,
109(2), 5108-5117. doi: 10:1016/j.jada.2008.10.065
Schultz, C. R. (2010). Removing junk food and beverages from school vending
machines. Retrieved from
http://www.minnesotamedicine.com/PastIssues/September2010/Commentary
Sept2010/tabid/3551/Default.aspx
Additional resources continued
United States Department of Agriculture. (2010). List of vegetarian USDA
commodity foods. Retrieved from USDA website:
Http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/schcnp/default.htm
Wallinger, D. (2010, March). Agricultural policy and childhood obesity: A food
systems and public health commentary. Health Affairs; Chevy Chase, 29(3),
405-411.