In a new report, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Bridging the Gap program finds that when it comes to healthy environments, elementary schools fail. Most public elementary school students had easy access to unhealthy foods and beverages on campus throughout the school day such as sugary snacks and sodas. On the contrary, very few had the opportunity to get enough physical activity to satisfy the minimum recommendations set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Students are overweight and out of shape. Schools need to provide institutions that promote healthier lifestyles.
Major findings:
· Overall, United States elementary schools both public and private are not doing a good job when it comes to providing students with environments that foster healthy food choices.
· The prevalence of obesity among 6-11 year old rose from 4% in 1970s to 20% by 2008.
· Increases can be attributed to unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity
· Schools that have wellness policies around healthy lunch and physical activity are often weak and poorly enforced.
Keys to improvement:
· Improve nutritional quality of meals. Students need meals that are high in nutrients and low in calories.
· Increase federal reimbursement rates for school meals that are healthy and nutritious. Students need more fruits and vegetables and less packaged meals that contain Trans fats and massive amounts of sodium. Reimbursement rates for healthier options are critical to enabling effective school breakfast and lunch programs.
· Support School Gardens and Farm-to-School Programs. School gardens can support students in the areas of curriculum/ course work about nutrition and food consumption. We must work together to support these healthy causes.
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