Does eating right make schoolchildren perform better? A team led by Arthur Agatston, presented findings at an Obesity Society meeting over the weekend showing that improving the nutritional quality of school meals bolstered the academic performance of students over a two-year period, in addition to lowering their weight and blood pressure. The researchers saw significant increases in math scores among the 1,197 elementary students who participated in the Healthier Options for Public Schoolchildren obesity prevention program. The program is currently used in 79 schools in seven US states.
Archive for category School nutrition
Despite efforts to include more healthy choices at schools, standard offerings from vending machines – including fruit juices – are giving students more calories than they need.
Small changes in schools lead to big results when it comes to preventing childhood obesity. This school-based intervention reduced the incidence of overweight by 50 percent. The study focused on 1,349 students in grades 4 through 6, and followed them for a two-year period, measuring weight, height and physical activity before and after. Only 7.5 percent of children became overweight in intervention schools, compared with 15 percent of children who became overweight in comparison schools.
Researchers at Cardiff University studied the snacking habits of 9-11 year olds attending 43 primary schools in deprived areas. Children were more willing to use fruit tuck shops and ate fruit as a snack at school if they and their friends were not allowed to bring unhealthy snacks to school from home.
Researchers from Temple University realized that a majority of Philadelphia middle schools kids were eating and drinking on their way to and from school and that the corner stores were playing a big role. The researchers found that about 70 percent of the students bought food or drink on their commute to school, spending about $3.00 a day.
Responding to the positive evaluation of free school meals in Scotland and a commitment by the Scottish Government to implement universal free school meals for primary 1 to 3 pupils, Kate Green, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group said: “The successful pilots of universal free school meals in Scotland and the very welcome commitment to roll out the scheme show the massive gains to be had from a universal approach.
The nutrient content of a food intake pattern consistent with Danish Dietary Guidelines was calculated using dietary intake data from a random sample of 11-15-year-old boys (n = 85) and girls (n = 70). The developed food intake pattern meets all nutrient goals except for vitamin D. At low energy requirements, the intake of iron and selenium is of concern. To fulfil nutrient recommendations, half of the bread/cereals and vegetables consumed should be fibre-rich, and fats should be of plant origin. The recommended food intake pattern meets most nutrient recommendations and makes it possible to advise on discretionary energy.
This study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, looked at a nationally representative sample of children aged 4-18. Some children who are fussy eaters might get lesser amounts of nutrients from their limited range of food choices, and if they also eat a lot of added sugars they might be at risk. But the solution is to broaden their choice of foods it does not appear that simply discouraging sugar consumption would have any real benefit.
Free school meals works
Sep 24
Between 2004 and 2007 Hull Council in the UK ran an experiment where it provided universal free school meals to all primary school children. Results include that heads and teachers reported children were more relaxed and better behaved in school.
Free wholesome meals, enticing dining rooms, fruit vending machines and healthy-eating gurus are just some of the exciting developments appearing in Liverpool schools in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.