The Institute of Medicine Releases Nutrition Standards for Foods and Beverages in Schools
On April 25, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) unveiled a new report with recommendations for schools to improve the nutrition of children and ultimately help decrease obesity rates. Congress directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to undertake this study along with the IOM to review and make recommendations about appropriate nutritional standards for the availability, sale, content and consumption of foods at school, with attention on “competitive foods”.
The resulting report Nutrition Standards for Healthy Schools: Leading the Way toward Healthier Youth, concluded that federally-reimbursable school nutrition programs should be the main source of nutrition at school, and opportunities for competitive foods should be limited. Also, if competitive foods are available, they should consist of nutritious fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk and dairy products, consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), to help children and adolescents develop lifelong healthy eating habits. The recommended standards limit the amount of saturated fat, salt, added sugars, and total calories, and restrict the sale of caffeinated items. The committee did not support the sale of caffeinated products to school-age children because of the potential for negative effects, including headaches, moodiness, and other results that could disrupt students’ abilities to concentrate and learn.
The authoring committee systemically organized competitive foods and beverages into two tiers according to their consistency with the DGA. Tier 1 foods and beverages provide at least one serving of fruit, vegetables and/or whole grains, or nonfat/low-fat dairy products and are foods to be encouraged. Examples of Tier 1 foods include: whole fruit; raisins; carrot sticks; whole-grain, low-sugar cereals; and non-fat yogurt with no more than 30 grams of added sugars. Tier 1 beverages include: plain water; skim or 1 percent milk; soy beverages; and 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice. Tier 2 foods should only be available to high school students and only after school. Examples of Tier 2 items include single servings of baked potato chips, low-sodium whole wheat crackers, graham crackers, pretzels, caffeine-free diet soda, and seltzer water.
Why Are Nutrition Standards within Schools Important?
According to the IOM, children in the United States are becoming more overweight and obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels. In addition to the risk of obesity-related health problems, poor food choices could lead to other health concerns, such as osteoporosis from inadequate calcium intake. Children spend a good portion of the day at school, often staying for after-school activities, and the foods and beverages offered during and after school can contribute a number of calories to their total daily consumption.
The IOM also adds that the rise in obesity over the past 2-3 decades has been accompanied by an increase in the number of alternative food options, many times called “competitive foods” available on school campus. These foods, which are obtained from a variety of sources, including à la carte service in the school cafeteria, school stores and snack bars, and vending machines, are competing with the traditional breakfast and lunch offered through federally reimbursable school nutrition programs.
Having available nutritious foods and beverages and limiting the consumption of unhealthy items within schools can be an important step in getting children to consume healthy options and be exposed to and learn lifelong healthy eating habits.
The full report is under uncorrected copy status, but is available for purchase. However, there are a report brief and fact sheet available. For additional information, please contact:
National Academy of Sciences
500 Fifth St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (800) 624-6242
Source: Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way toward Healthier Youth, Report Brief, April 2007; Report Recommends Nutrition Standards for “Competitive” Foods and Drinks Sold in Schools, IOM Press Release, April 25, 2007.