During Kids Eat Right Month and Every Day, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Says ‘Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act’ Creates Healthier Environment For Every Child

FOR RELEASE JULY 24, 2014

  

CHICAGO – From pregnancy to infancy through adolescence, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is establishing strong nutrition policies for core federal child nutrition programs implemented through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During Kids Eat Right Month in August, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics emphasizes the importance of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to ensure the youngest, most vulnerable populations have access to the nutrition they need to thrive and to grow into healthy adults.

“Nutrition policy shapes our environment and is especially critical to children’s well-being,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Sonja L. Connor. “With the aim of improving children’s nutrition and decreasing childhood obesity and hunger, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a key contributor and a historic piece of legislation. By using evidence-based science to create nutrition policy, we are establishing a healthy environment for every child in America.”

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act affects the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); the Child and Adult Care Food Program; the National School Lunch Program; the School Breakfast Program; and the Summer Food Service Program, among others. Through these programs and more, registered dietitian nutritionists across the country play an integral role in leading programs that improve children’s health.

“Time and time again, WIC has proven effective in safeguarding the health of pregnant women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at risk of being malnourished,” Connor said. “WIC touches one in every two kids born in the United States – it has an enormous impact on our nation.” 

By providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education on healthy eating and referrals to health care, WIC improves birth outcomes and limits health care costs.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program promotes high-quality, affordable child care by helping providers serve nutritious meals and snacks. Research shows food at participating centers is nutritionally superior to non-participating facilities.

“By serving nutrient-dense foods to 3 million children every working day through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, we are able to help young children receive nutrition they need to grow and play,” Connor said.  

Once children enter school, they are welcomed by a healthy environment thanks to changes to school foods, according to Connor. From kindergarten through high school, the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program provide nutritious food in schools to help ensure students are exposed to fruits, vegetables, whole grain-rich foods, lean protein and low fat or no fat dairy. During the summertime students can also take advantage of the Summer Food Service Program, which aims to cover the hunger gap many students face when school is not in session.

“Whether it is in vending machines, during lunch or at a school fundraiser, kids will be surrounded by healthier, more nutritious options that support a balanced diet based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” Connor said. 

Thousands of registered dietitian nutritionists work with schools as Kids Eat Right campaign members and in celebration of Kids Eat Right Month to help improve the local health environment, making sure students get the most out of their day. Kids Eat Right is a joint initiative between the Academy and its Foundation, dedicated to providing science-based healthy eating workshops, classes, articles, recipes, videos and tips to help schools, parents and families shop smart, cook healthfully and eat right.

“Strong nutrition policy such as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and initiatives like Kids Eat Right are putting us on the path to becoming healthier. We are making an impact today and are setting the stage for tomorrow,” Connor said.

For more information about Kids Eat Right Month and healthful eating at school and beyond, 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 Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. It funds scholarships and awards, public awareness and research projects and the Academy strategic initiatives, and is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics. The Foundation’s mission is advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists. Visit the Academy Foundation at www.eatright.org/foundation.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 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

As Kids Head Back To School, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Says Students Should Expect Healthy Meals

FOR RELEASE JULY 22, 2014

CHICAGO – Significant improvements in school meals designed to improve the health of 32 million schoolchildren are taking place nationwide thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, championed by the First Lady Michelle Obama and implemented through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During Kids Eat Right Month this August, as children head back to the classroom, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says more school meal changes are in store.

“Parents can trust that when they send their kids to school, they will have access to healthy, nutritious food – more fruits and vegetables, whole grain-rich foods, and less salt, sugar and fat,” says registered dietitian and Academy Spokesperson Wesley Delbridge.

“Healthier meals help ensure kids are getting the nutrients they need to perform well in school and have energy to be active and participate in sports, and to also grow into healthy adults,” says Delbridge. “These changes can result in a lifetime of health benefits, including reduced risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.”

Based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the changes to school meals include:

·         More fruits and vegetables. Lunches offer more fruit and vegetables, and breakfast will increase the amount of fruit offered to students. “Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients and most are low in calories, making them a great option for growing kids,” Delbridge says.

·         Less fat. Schools now only offer low-fat or fat-free milk, which contain all of the nutrients with less fat than whole milk. Meals also include foods that are lower in saturated fat, such as skinless poultry, lean meat and heart-smart vegetables oils. In addition, trans fats is limited to zero grams per serving.

·         Whole grain-rich foods. All grain-based foods like breads and muffins will now be whole grain-rich, ensuring they contain at least half whole wheat or whole grains. “This is great news,” Delbridge says. “Whole grains take longer to digest, fueling kids throughout the school day.” Whole grains also contain important nutrients like B vitamins, selenium and magnesium.

·         Healthier sodium amounts. Over the next 10 years, schools will be required to slowly reduce sodium by 25 percent to 50 percent. “Prior to the recent changes, some school lunches contained more than 1,400 milligrams of sodium – that’s 60 percent of what most children should be eating all day.”

Many schools have implemented a Farm to School program, supporting their efforts to serve more fruits and vegetables. Currently, 44 percent of schools are bringing foods from local farms, with produce being the most frequently purchased.

Delbridge, who is the director of food and nutrition at Chandler Unified School District in Chandler, Ariz., says these programs are exposing children to new foods at his school that they enjoy.

“Research shows that eating behaviors are established early in life, so we’re really setting ourselves up for a healthier generation of Americans,” Delbridge says. “If we want to solve national concerns of obesity and overweight, especially for our children, we need to begin at school, but our work doesn’t end there.”

In August, Kids Eat Right Month, a joint initiative of the Academy and its Foundation, focuses on the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles for children and families, featuring expert advice from registered dietitian nutritionists. “As Kids Eat Right campaign members, thousands of RDNs are teaching families how to shop smart, cook healthfully and eat right,” Delbridge says.

The Kids Eat Right initiative features an interactive website, www.KidsEatRight.org, providing science-based health and nutrition articles, recipes, videos and tips to help parents and families.

For more information about healthful eating at school and beyond and Kids Eat Right Month, visit www.KidsEatRight.org.

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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. It funds scholarships and awards, public awareness and research projects and the Academy strategic initiatives, and is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics. The Foundation’s mission is advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists. Visit the Academy Foundation at www.eatright.org/foundation.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 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

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Improve Children’s Health During Kids Eat Right Month and All Year

CHICAGO – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and its Kids Eat Right initiative empower more than 5,000 registered dietitian nutritionists to address childhood obesity and food insecurity, making an impact both locally and nationally through research and education.

Kids Eat Right was launched in 2010 to reduce childhood obesity trends. Thousands of campaign members—registered dietitian nutritionists—will take collective action nationwide in August in schools and communities to celebrate the first annual Kids Eat Right Month.

“Kids Eat Right campaign members are dedicated to using the science of food and nutrition to improve the health of children and families,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Foundation Chair Terri J. Raymond. “As the food and nutrition experts, RDNs have the knowledge and expertise to make a difference in the health of children, and the Academy Foundation is proud to support RDNs as we engage families, schools and communities on the local level, making a big impact nationwide.”

As the world’s largest charitable organization devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics, the Academy’s Foundation has awarded:

•         $150,000 in mini-grants to registered dietitian nutritionists to provide nutrition education to more than 50,000 kids and adults across the country

•         $297,000 in research grants to Academy members, including $35,000 for childhood obesity research through the Foundation’s Food and Nutrition Research Endowment

•         $1 million in Champions for Healthy Kids grants in 2014, providing nonprofit organizations working with registered dietitian nutritionists the resources they need to make an impact locally.

The Foundation has also supported programs in schools and community centers, targeting kids and parents as part of the RD Parent Empowerment program. An evaluation of the program found statistically significant improvements in parents adopting healthy behaviors for themselves and their families.

“Support at home for healthful eating and physical activity is key, but we also found that reaching kids at school is extremely effective, especially in low-income communities that are more heavily burdened by the obesity epidemic and the lack of resources for prevention and wellness,” Raymond says.

To make an impact in schools, the Foundation created Energy Balance for Kids with Play, an evidence-based program that promotes healthy school environments through nutrition, physical activity and energy balance knowledge and behavior changes in kids. Led by specially trained RDNs as school nutrition coaches, EB4K has engaged 170,000 elementary students in 90 schools within the past seven years.

“Through EB4K, we’ve seen tremendous success in increasing students’ nutrition knowledge and attitudes and creating a school environment that supports healthier behaviors,” Raymond says.

According to Raymond, in a two-year evaluation of the EB4K program in a school district in Richmond, California, students in third and fourth grade experienced a significant reduction in body mass index and participated in more moderate to vigorous physical activity than comparison schools. Lunch records also showed that the EB4K schools ordered more vegetables for their school lunch program than comparative schools.

Through Kids Eat Right, the Foundation also features the interactive www.KidsEatRight.org, providing science-based health and nutrition articles, recipes, videos and tips to help parents and families shop smart, cook healthy and eat right.

For more information about Kids Eat Right Month and the Kids Eat Right program, visit 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 Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. It funds scholarships and awards, public awareness and research projects and the Academy strategic initiatives, and is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics. The Foundation’s mission is advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists. Visit the Academy Foundation at www.eatright.org/foundation.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 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.