The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that in FY 2010, children received 17.5 million free school lunches and 3 million reduced price (RP) lunches. Children paid full price for 11.1 million lunches. These numbers demonstrate that a majority of children (65.3%) in U.S. schools received free or RP lunches last year. Figures for school breakfast service for FY 2010 indicate that an even higher percent of total breakfasts (83.5%) were provided to children with need-8.67 million free, 1.05 million RP, and 1.94 million full-price breakfasts.1
Although these numbers are preliminary and only represent data from participating schools, they point to the importance of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, which provides "nutritious breakfasts to promote learning readiness and healthy eating behaviors" as well as "nutritious lunches and the opportunity to practice skills learned in school nutrition education."1 The agency allocates funds to subsidize meals to children based on household poverty level. In 2008, 14 million children under 18 years of age or 19% of all children in the United States lived in poverty.2
Creating healthy habits early
Studies have not been able to conclusively establish direct relationships between nutrition and school performance except in children suffering from malnourishment. No one, however, questions that adequate nutrients are necessary for normal growth and development.
In the United States, Americans of all ages are encouraged to start the day with a healthy breakfast due to benefits such as increased energy, longer stamina, and improved cognition. The School Nutrition Association, in collaboration with several other corporate sponsors, promotes National School Breakfast Week annually, and is designated for March 7-11 this year. Started in 1989, the emphasis is on creating healthy eating habits in children that will last for life. There is a different theme each year, as well as contests, menus, merchandise, and tools available to assist schools, teachers, administrators, and parents in planning events for their local communities. This information is available at http://docs.schoolnutrition.org/meetingsandevents/nsbw2011/index.asp.
Where are the resources?
In order for schools to provide free breakfasts or lunches, resources must be available. In December 2010, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, a reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs.3 The School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs are permanently authorized while other provisions must be approved every 5 years, such as the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. This bill is designed to give the federal government more authority to set standards for quality and safety of food offered on school grounds whether in the cafeteria, vending machines, or elsewhere. The selection of food served in schools has become more nutritious with increased fresh fruits and vegetables, reduced fat, and more baked versus fried choices. Food personnel also receive special training about food safety and healthful cooking preparation techniques.
Why is federal legislation needed to address concerns about child nutrition? We as a country have an obligation to protect the health and well-being of our children. Government programs are indispensable in efforts to balance disparities between our nation's children and families who "have" and those who "have not" adequate resources to access healthy food, safe shelter, education, and healthcare services. One way advanced practice nurses can do their part is to routinely assess nutritional status and family food practices to determine access to food, quality of food, and food safety. Children of all ages are vulnerable and APNs will, without question, continue to work to make all public health efforts more effective in prevention and health promotion.
Jamesetta Newland, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Editor-in-Chief [email protected]
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