Academy Supports USDA’s Call For Healthier Standards For All Foods Sold In Schools

For Release June 27, 2013
Academy Of Nutrition and Dietetics Supports USDA’s Call For Healthier Standards For All Foods Sold In Schools

CHICAGO – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics applauds new changes by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that aim to lower obesity rates, improve educational achievements and reduce health-care costs.

In calling for healthier standards for all foods sold in schools, the USDA has set healthier requirements for foods sold à la carte, in school stores, snack bars and vending machines starting in Fall 2014.

Under the USDA’s “Smart Snacks in Schools” nutrition standards interim final rule, foods must be low in fat, sugar and sodium and provide kids more of the nutrients they need. Schools will also be required to serve more whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and lean protein.

“The Academy applauds the USDA for bagging junk food in schools,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy spokesperson Debbi Beauvais. “USDA is to be commended for putting forth these nutrition standards.”

This past spring, the Academy worked with its member experts to comment on USDA’s proposed nutrition standards for school snacks, encouraging a school environment that provides access to healthy foods. The USDA’s “Smart Snack in Schools” rule implements strong, scientifically sound nutritional standards and reflects recommendations from the Academy’s nutrition experts.

“Research shows unhealthy food and beverages sold in schools other than at meals negatively affect students’ diet and weight. The Academy is in favor of all foods sold in schools having a positive nutritional benefit and modeling food choices children should make outside of the school setting. These USDA standards allow schoolchildren to meet their nutrition needs by consuming nutrient-dense foods,” said Beauvais, a school nutrition professional for more than 14 years.

“As an organization committed to improving the nation’s health through food and nutrition, the Academy will serve in many different capacities to assist the USDA in successfully implementing the standards,” Beauvais said. 


“Academy members are among those already bringing real change to school meals across America, with many registered dietitian nutritionists employed in child nutrition programs at the local, state and national levels as researchers, educators, product suppliers, school nutrition directors and consultants in school nutrition and wellness,” Beauvais said.


The Academy will continue to support these members as the nutrition standards are implemented. Additionally, the USDA promises to provide schools with the training and technical assistance necessary to seamlessly adopt these new standards. 


To champion these new standards, the Academy supports bolstering nutrition education in schools to reinforce healthy behaviors by incorporating healthful eating habits into the curriculum, in health education courses as well as in language arts, science and mathematics.


USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has called the new standards a “game changer for our youngsters.”


To learn more about the Academy’s efforts to improve the nutritional health of children, visit www.KidsEatRight.org. 

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All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Collaborates On Bipartisan Medicare Bill To Treat And Reduce Obesity

FOR RELEASE JUNE 19, 2013

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Collaborates On 
Bipartisan Medicare Bill To Treat And Reduce Obesity

CHICAGO – A promising bipartisan bill that increases vital access and reimbursement for obesity screening and counseling services has been introduced in Congress, thanks in part to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013 represents nearly two years of work by the Academy and its partners, including the Obesity Care Continuum. Under the proposed bill, Medicare recipients would also benefit from improved coverage of new prescription drugs for chronic obesity management.

“For nearly two years, the Academy has been working on developing legislation to expand coverage for registered dietitian nutritionists to provide intensive behavioral counseling for obesity outside of the primary care setting,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President Dr. Glenna McCollum. “Further, this bill comes at an opportune time, considering the American Medical Association’s recent announcement joining other organizations in classifying obesity as a disease.”

The bill would allow registered dietitian nutritionists and other qualified health practitioners to independently provide – and be reimbursed for – intensive behavioral therapy for obesity for Medicare participants. In addition, information about intensive behavioral therapy for obesity would be highlighted and distributed to Medicare recipients and their doctors, ensuring they are aware of the valuable service. This bill would also provide pharmacological interventions for chronic obesity management to those who are obese or overweight and suffer from one or more related conditions. 

“We are excited about this bipartisan, bicameral bill, because it is the product of a longtime collaborative effort among the Academy, the Obesity Care Continuum, Senators Tom Carper (Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Representatives Bill Cassidy, MD, (La.) and Ron Kind (Wis.) and other partner organizations to generate legislation that would effectively address obesity in this country,” McCollum said.

Registered dietitian nutritionists are recognized as the trusted and credible source of food and nutrition information. By empowering our members to do their job effectively, we set them up to optimize the health of Americans and tackle the obesity epidemic head-on,” McCollum said.

The Academy plans to execute a comprehensive strategy to move this legislation through Congress. Reaching out to senators and representatives, the Academy will take advantage of the opportunity to educate Congress about the importance of nutrition education and counseling.

The Academy will put in place an effective grassroots effort, asking member leaders in every state to meet with their members of Congress to help gain support for the bill.

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All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.

Five Registered Dietitians Named To 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Expert Advisory Panel

CHICAGO – Five registered dietitians and one honorary member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are among 15 nutrition and health science authorities named May 31 by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to the government’s new 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

The committee members have been selected for “their expertise in dietary intake, human metabolism, behavioral change, and health,” according to the USDA and HHS. Following an evidence-based systematic review of current scientific literature, listening to and receiving public comment and deliberating in open forums, the committee will prepare an advisory report that will be used in creating the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which were last revised in 2010.

The cornerstone of federal food policy in the United States, the Dietary Guidelines are especially important in developing nutrition education programs and strengthening food assistance programs which include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) and the Child Nutrition Programs and WIC Programs.

“As the country’s leading organization of food and nutrition professionals, the entire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is proud that five registered dietitians have been asked to serve on this important committee, reviewing the science that is the basis for the government’s primary guidelines on healthful eating,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President Dr. Glenna McCollum, MPH, RDN.

“As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I am especially pleased that five of my fellow RDs – all distinguished scientists – are bringing our unique combined knowledge of nutrition science and consumer advice to the committee. They will contribute enormously in developing 2015 Dietary Guidelines that will lead to a healthy and well-nourished American public,” McCollum said.

Academy members and registered dietitians who will serve on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee are:

•           Chair: Barbara Millen, DrPH, RD, professor in the department of family medicine, Boston University School of Medicine

•           Vice Chair: Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, RD, Stanley N. Gershoff professor of Nutrition Science and Policy at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and director and senior scientist, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University

•           Gary Foster, PhD, director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education, Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology, Temple University (honorary Academy member)

•           Marian Neuhouser, PhD, RD, full member at the Cancer Prevention Program, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

•           Anna Maria Siega-Riz, PhD, RD, professor in the departments of epidemiology and nutrition, University of North Carolina

•           Mary Story, PhD, RD, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs and professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.

  

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All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN). The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.