Nutrition education to prevent childhood obesity

Nutrition education to prevent childhood obesity. Maybe you are trying to help your child lose weight, or you feel you are in danger of being overweight or unhealthy because of their eating and exercise habits.

If so, it's important that you consider the impact of your child's time at school as you think about what you need to change.

Because of the government of the U.S. have studied obesity, many of their agents have produced reports and guides to help parents and the school system understand how to make important changes.

These guidelines are designed to encourage our children to eat healthy foods and exercise well.

Across the country, schools are beginning to offer better food choices, and view physical and extra-curricular education activities to ensure that they encourage good habits.

Of course, your involvement and understanding are important if your child gets the right support while he is at school during the day.

And, you need to make sure your child understands the importance of CHOOSING healthy foods and participating in sports programs, but the first step is to make sure these choices are AVAILABLE to your child.

Struggling with medical institutions, the USDA writes 'Prescriptions for Change', and 'Healthy School Nutrition Environment'.

This report is intended for use by schools to improve their nutrition programs.

Here are some of the recommendations included in the report.

Presentation and Eating Environment

Federal, State and local governments must provide sufficient funds for food and food in the neighborhood to support healthy food.

• The dining room will be adequate, comfortable and pleasant, and will accommodate all students and staff scheduled to eat at any given time.

• Servicing the area will be enough to ensure that every student has access to food with minimum waiting time, so they have plenty of time to eat before the next class.

• Staff and school administration AND students and parents will analyze the current environment, work together to create a space that suits the needs of all parties.

Food and Food Nutrition Concerns

• Food must comply with USDA nutritional standards and guidelines, and students should have plenty of food choices, with new foods being introduced to keep the menu healthy and attractive.

• Food preparation and preparation should be varied enough to meet a variety of ethnic tastes and preferences or religious requirements.

• Additional food and beverages offered, food above and above served, eg. vending machines and 'snack' packs, will represent the 5 main food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid.

• Students must have a prescribed lunchtime, long enough for them to get food and eat at a healthy pace.

• The lunch period should be as close to the day as possible and should allow time for relaxed socialization and pace of eating.

• All decisions made by the school system on the types, variations, and quantities of food and beverages to be sold in schools will be based on good nutrition and guidance goals, NOT for the benefits, a school can make.

Curriculum Focus and Health

• Kindergarten to grade 12 classes should include education and information about healthy eating habits and the kind of food that children should eat to stay healthy and help them grow.

• Presently that you know the interests and advice of the USDA and the national medical institution, go to school board conferences and speak to board members concerning what they do to comply with certain guidelines.

• If you do not know what your child's food and eating environment are, visit the school and find out. Join PTA or PTO in your school system and get to work!

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