Improving Nutrition Environments

in California Charter Schools

Dory Escobar, PhD in Public Health studentWalden University, PUBH 8165 - 2Instructor: Dr. Jalal GhaemghamiSpring 2010

Learning Objectivesfor School Wellness

Councils• Understand School Nutrition Environments• Understand roles of School Wellness

Policies & Councils• Know current status of Wellness Policy

Implementation in CA Schools• Identify opportunities to improve Nutrition

Environments through School Wellness Councils

School Nutrition Environments

Goals: Increase access to healthy, affordable food Promote & support healthy choices Provide nutrition education Ensure qualified staff support

California PTA (2006). School Wellness: A New Opportunity for PTAs to Promote Health in Schools. Retrieved from www.capta.org

Finkelstein, D.M., Hill, E.L., & Whitaker, R.C (2008). School Food Environments and Policies in US Public Schools. PEDIATRICS Vol. 122 No. 1 July 2008, pp. e251-e259. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/122/1/e251

School Nutrition Environments

Core Elements: Focus on Physical Activity & Nutrition Quality School Meals Additional Healthy Food Choices Pleasant Eating Experiences Nutrition Education Healthy MarketingUSDA (2001). Changing the Scene: Improving School Nutrition Environments. Retrieved

4/22/10 from http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/guide.pdf

U.S. Child and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004• Development and implementation of

School Wellness Policies & Councils• Nutrition standards• Unfunded mandate

Action for Healthy Kids (2008). School Wellness Policies: Fact Sheet. Retrieved 4/23/10 from http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/resources/files/localwellnesspolicies.pdf

U.S. Child and WIC Reauthorization Act of

2004Progress towards compliance:•68% wellness policies meet minimum federal requirements•Foods and beverages high in calories, fat and sugar still available•4% elementary, 8% middle, and 2% high schools provide physical education every day

Action for Healthy Kids (2008). School Wellness Policies: Fact Sheet. Retrieved 4/23/10 from http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/resources/files/localwellnesspolicies.pdf

CDC (2006). SHPPS 2007: School Health Policies & Programs Study. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/2006/factsheets/pdf/FS_Overview_SHPPS2006.pdf

CA Nutrition Standards• Senate Bill 12

(2005)Standards for

competitive foods available in California’s public schools

• SB 965 (2005)Beverage

standards for California’s public schools

Venue % Schools 50%

adherent to SB 965

Avg. adherence

rates across schools

OverallFood ServiceVendingSchool Store

85.791.168.673.7

7178.566

73.9

Venue % Schools 100%

adherent to SB 965

Avg. adherence

rates across schools

OverallFood ServiceVendingSchool Store

06.76.10

63.766.764.468.6

Samuels, S.E., et.al. (2009). To What Extent Have High Schools in California Been Able to Implement State-Mandated Nutrition Standards? Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(3), S38-S44.

CA 2006 Report Card

• Good standards• Adequate implemented as required in

elementary and middle schools• Deep-fried foods limited; but variety of

health options limited• Junk food sales limited, but not

marketing

CDC (2007). SHPPS 2006: California School Health Program Report Card. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/2006/report-cards/california/RC_California_SHPPS2006.pdf

School Wellness Policies

nutrition guidelines nutrition education and physical activity goals local guidelines on school meals reimbursement guidelines monitoring responsible staff

California LEAN (2008). School wellness policy development, implementation and evaluation. www.californiaprojectlean.org

School Wellness Councils From school and community:

Parents Students Food services School board Administrators Teachers Health professionals, an others

California LEAN (2008). School wellness policy development, implementation and evaluation. www.californiaprojectlean.org

How Can School Wellness Councils Enhance the Nutrition Environment?

• Healthy snacks & beverages• A la carte food options meeting nutrition

standards• More high-quality fresh fruits and

vegetables• Mores nutritional information about foods

offered• School gardens• Healthy fundraising activities

Charter School Structures That Support Wellness

Policies

• Small School Communities• Multi-Grade Clusters

• High Level of Parent Engagement• Innovative Programming

What Can You Do at Your School to Improve the Nutrition Environment?

ReferencesAction for Healthy Kids (2008). Progress or Promises? What’s Working for and against Healthy Schools. Retrieved from http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/resources/files/progressorpromises.pdf

California LEAN (2008). School wellness policy development, implementation and evaluation. Retrieved from www.californiaprojectleanr.org

California PTA (2006). School Wellness: A New Opportunity for PTAs to Promote Health in Schools. Retrieved from http://www.capta.org/sections/programs/downloads/h-SchoolWellness.pdf

CDC (2007). SHPPS 2006: School Health Policies & Programs Study. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/2006/factsheets/pdf/FS_Overview_SHPPS2006.pdf

CDC (2007). SHPPS 2006: California School Health Program Report Card. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/2006/report-cards/california/RC_California_SHPPS2006.pdf

ReferencesFinkelstein, D.M., Hill, E.L., & Whitaker, R.C (2008). School Food Environments and Policies in US Public Schools. PEDIATRICS Vol. 122 No. 1 July 2008, pp. e251-e259. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/122/1/e251

National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (2005). Model Local School Wellness Policies on Physical Activity and Nutrition. Retrieved 4/23/10 fromhttp://www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/WellnessPolicies.html#councils

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2009). Bridging the Gap. Retrieved 4/22/10 fromhttp://www.rwjf.org/files/research/20090728bridgingthegapfull.pdf

USDA (2001). Changing the Scene: Improving School Nutrition Environments. Retrieved 4/22/10 from http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/guide.pdf

Suggested Further ReadingPromoting Healthy Youth, Schools and Communities: A Guide

to Community-School Health Councils, American Cancer Societywww.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/resources/AGuideToCommunitySchoolHealthCouncils.pdf

Ten Strategies for Promoting Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, and a Tobacco-free Lifestyle through School Health Programs, Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/publications/pdf/ten_strategies.pdf

Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: a School Health Policy Guide, National Association of State Boards of Educationwww.nasbe.org/HealthySchools/fithealthy.mgi