ADA Urges Nutrition in Curriculum
March 7, 2001
The American Dietetic Association believes nutrition education should be part of the school curriculum "at all ages" and linked to community and school health promotion efforts. "Nutrition education is critical to the development of lifelong, healthful eating habits in school-aged children and adolescents," the group said as part of a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing Tuesday on nutrition.
The nutritional status of children still remains an area of concern despite progress, said ADA. "American school children are receiving more nutritious school meals thanks to a series of actions taken by the United States Department of Agriculture, state school nutrition agencies and local school systems, " said ADA President Jane White.
"At the same time, however, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen sharply, with no signs of reversal. With that in mind, ADA would like to see USDA's school nutrition programs be continued and augmented."
According to data from the NHANES III survey (1998-1994), 12% of adolescents (ages 12 -17) and 14% of children (ages 6 to 11) are overweight. In addition, an increase in the development of Type II diabetes among teens has accompanied the rise in obesity.
"Schools are uniquely positioned to modify behavioral and environmental conditions that contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity in children," said White. "And as health professionals, we know that it is far easier and less costly to prevent obesity than it is to attempt to treat it."
ADA recommended that schools develop a coordinated, comprehensive approach to child health, including nutrition education into the school curriculum at all ages; present children with meal and snack choices that enable them to learn about and to select foods that contribute to a healthy diet and help maintain a healthy weight, and provide physical activity education in all schools to help children understand and accept that daily activity is an important part of a healthful lifestyle.