Government policies, nutrition education take the battle to schools

By EUN SIL KANG
Observer Staff
Feb. 6, 2007

Leading health officials agree that while the government has taken steps to prevent childhood obesity by requiring schools to provide nutritious lunches and beverages, parental influence and behavior patterns likely play a greater role in combating childhood obesity. That means health officials may need to change their tactics in preventing childhood obesity by also aiming to educate parents about nutrition.

The prevalence of overweight children tripled from 6.5 percent in the mid-1970s to 18.8 percent today for children between 6-11 years old, and 5 to 17.4 percent for those 12–19, according to a survey by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Observer photo by EUN SIL KANG
Aviva Goldfarb, founder and author of The Six O’Clock Scramble, a book and online newsletter, supervises her son, Solomon, 10, while he makes smoothies at home.

In light of these and other staggering statistics, the government put policies in place to help reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States; specifically, by changing the content of school lunches as well as what snacks and drinks are offered in school vending machines.

Marla Caplon, a registered dietician, licensed nutritionist and supervisor with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, said the government is getting involved, albeit slowly.

“There is an awareness,” she said. “And the government is working toward the obesity problem. It’s just going to take awhile.”

School lunch policies have changed because of the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004, which reauthorizes the School Lunch Program. The act dictates what kinds of milk can be served in schools and promotes fresh fruits and vegetables. WIC requires school to follow a set of dietary guidelines, such as providing more healthy alternatives to fattening foods.

Following the guidelines has led Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland to providing healthier food, said Joanne F. Guthrie, an assistant deputy director for nutrition within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“In the past, while they increased them [milk products], they have often been associated with higher fat intake. Now they are more likely to serve low-fat milk,” Guthrie said.

While no studies officially link school lunches to rates of childhood obesity, government officials are in the process of determining if a connection does exist.

Guthrie said national long-term surveys are being conducted on groups of children. She said the surveys would show how obesity develops over time, and determine whether government policies regarding school lunches can be linked to childhood obesity. Likewise, the surveys could show whether healthy school lunches decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity.

Montgomery County schools are not only adhering to state and federal dietary guidelines, but are experimenting with offering other healthy foods.

Caplon said schools hope to sell higher-quality foods that can appeal to more students, such as pre-bagged apple slices, bean burgers and soy chicken nuggets.

Despite the changes schools have made with providing students with healthy meals, vending machines still pose a problem, according to Tracy Fox, president of Food, Nutrition and Policy Consultants, LLC, a company that advices government about nutrition.

“You can’t really walk down the halls without bumping into a vending machine. And the USDA doesn’t have control over it,” Fox said.

Aviva Goldfarb, founder and CEO of The Six O’Clock Scramble, an online newsletter about nutrition and healthy recipes, blames the advertising companies for creating advertisements targeting children.

“Companies are marketing [sports drinks] to schools. Schools are pushed by large companies. It’s a hard battle to fight against the conglomerates. Good old plain water is good enough for them [children],” Goldfarb said.

Goldfarb pointed out a deep, underlying issue she said pertains to snack sales in school.

“Every time we win one battle, something else comes out in the back door. Schools can’t sell candy during school hours. Then, at 3 p.m., there is a line of kids buying candy. Candy shouldn’t be there at all,” she said.

But government officials hope to change what items can be sold in vending machines.

Observer photo by EUN SIL KANG
Solomon Goldfarb makes smoothies as an after-school snack. Smoothies are a healthy alternative to regular juice since they contain more vitamins, according to his mother, Aviva Goldfarb.

In December 2007, the U.S. Senate passed the 2007 Farm Bill, which provides more than $2 billion for the fruit and vegetable industry, investments in crop research and promoting healthy child nutrition. Through the bill, officials hope to set national standards of what beverages and foods can be sold in vending machines, such as water, milk and juices instead of sodas and sports drinks.

Although there is currently no national standard for what can be sold in school vending machines, Fox said schools like Walter Johnson High School in Montgomery County has changed it policy regarding vending machines.

“The machines are turned off during the school day. [They only offer] water, juice and healthy snacks,” she said.

While schools across the country are now offering students healthier alternatives to junk food, many health experts agree that none of it matters as long as parents remain uneducated about healthy eating food practices.

Dr. Ruth Kava, the director of nutrition at the American Council on Science and Health, said parents should become knowledgeable about what foods should be eaten. Through such knowledge, they can change their children’s behaviors toward food.

“You need responsible adults that can help them make those changes. Explain to kids why you are making those changes and include them in the decision process,” Kava said.

Caplon also stressed the importance of role modeling, which she said would help children make better food choices later on.

“Role modeling is a positive behavior for the kids, because those are the types of behavior they’ll be getting into. It takes more effort, but it’s putting value in our kids’ future,” Caplon said.

While home behaviors can help prevent childhood obesity, Fox said schools also play an important part in addressing the issue.

“Schools have a captive audience with the kids, and can provide them with the best meals, and what’s in the vending machines. It’s going to take significant resources, and everyone needs to take responsibility,” said Fox.

As for what constitutes a good, nutritious meal, it depends on the individual. Goldfarb’s son, 10-year-old Solomon Goldfarb, who attends North Chevy Chase Elementary School in Chevy Chase, Md., had his own opinions about school lunches.

“I’d like to see a little more fresh fruit, cheese and homemade sandwiches like lunches you would bring from home,” he said.

While parents, school leaders and experts may try to influence children to eat better, it’s ultimately up to them.

“The offerings [of healthy food] are there, but it’s what the kids will do with those
offerings,” said Caplon.