Why
should I care about Nutrition?
 Healthy eating is a key part of overall
health and wellness. Healthy eating provides the nutrients
and energy needed for growth and development. It also helps
prevent many health problems, such as anemia, heart disease,
hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and stroke.
Proper nutrition also helps prevent
obesity,
which the Surgeon General Obesity has picked as one of the
greatest health problems facing the United States:
- Since the 1970s, obesity rates have
more than doubled for children aged 2-5 and aged 12-19
and more than tripled for children aged 6-11.
- About nine million children ages six
to 19 in the United States are obese (about 16% of the population). More than eight million more are overweight (about 15% of the population).
- Type 2 diabetes, which used to occur
almost only in adults, has increased dramatically in children
and adolescents, because of obesity.
- In addition to the health problems listed
above, obesity is related to low self-esteem, depression,
sleep problems, and being bullied among children and adolescents.
- If current trends continue, some experts
predict that children born today may have a lower life
expectancy than their parents.
Proper nutrition is also important because
it promotes learning and academic achievement. Studies have
shown that:
- Certain nutrients in healthy foods help
cognitive performance;
- Children who do not get enough food
tend to have academic, social and discipline problems in
school;
- Missing breakfast is linked to lower
performance in school; and
- Participating in school breakfast programs
is linked to increased learning and academic achievement,
improved attention, and decreased behavioral problems.
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What are Rhode Island's state requirements for Nutrition
in schools?
School Lunch & Breakfast
Rhode Island state law mandates that all public schools make lunches (RI General Law §16-8-10) and breakfasts (RIGL §16-8-10.1) available to all students, including those who qualify for free or reduced-price meals under federal income guidelines. Schools must also abide by all applicable rules and regulations pertaining to nutrition standards as well as management and implementation practices (See Section 29 of the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs, Sections 7-13 of RIGL Chapter 16-8: Federal Aid; RIGL Chapter 21-27: Sanitation in Food Establishments; and the Rhode Island Food Code, R23-1, 21-27-FOOD).
Beginning in September 2009, the School Meals Initiative (SMI) Review Process in Rhode Island will incorporate the Rhode Island Nutrition Requirements 2009 (RINR 2009), which include more whole grains, more fruits and vegetables, and less sodium. Federally reimbursable meals and snacks provided through the School Breakfast Program (SBP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the After School Snack Program should meet all current Federal meal requirements AND these more stringent requirements.
Healthier Snacks & Beverages
RI General Laws §16-21-7 requires that elementary, middle, junior high and senior high schools sell only healthier beverages and healthier snacks, as defined in RIGL §16-21-29, except when items are sold:
- by pupils of the school and the sale of those items takes place of and away from the premises of the school;
- by pupils of the school and the sale of those items takes place one hour or more after the end of the school day; or
- during a school sponsored pupil activity after the end of the school day.
(See also Sec. 29.7-29.8 of Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs).
Please see the Rhode Island Approved Product List for various vending and snack products that meet these requirements.
Nutrition & Physical Activity Policy
By federal law, all districts or schools that take part
in the federal school meals program must have a Local Wellness
Policy in place by the start of the 2006-07 school year,
that addresses physical activity and nutrition (see P.L.
108-265, Sec. 204)
District Health & Wellness Subcommittee
Also, because of a Rhode Island law passed in 2005 (RI '05 Public Law Chapter 05-074/05-076), every
school district is required to have a District Health & Wellness Subcommittee.
That Subcommittee is charged with making recommendations
to the full school committee on nutrition, as well as physical
activity, health education and physical education.
Health Education
Nutrition is one of the main topics of health education, which is required for all students in grades 1-12 (see RIGL §16-22-4). Health education should be taught in accordance with the Rhode Island Health Education Framework and the Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes.
Farm- to-School
RIGL §44-30-27 establishes an income tax credit to any individual or entity that provides locally grown produce to schools.
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What are some of the best practices for schools around Nutrition?
- Require that all foods sold outside
of the federal school meal program meet or exceed minimum
Rhode Island Nutrition Guidelines for School Vending and A La Carte Foods for portion size, ingredients, and
fat and sugar content – including foods available:
- in schools stores;
- in vending machines;
- as part of school
fundraisers;
- at school sponsored
activities and sporting events; and
- on the a la carte
line in the school cafeteria.
- Use the following strategies
to promote healthy eating:
- Reduce the prices of nutritious food and beverage choices
sold to students;
- Increase the prices of less nutritious choices;
- Collect suggestions from students, families, and school
staff on nutritious food preferences and strategies to
promote healthy eating;
- Provide students with information
on the nutrition and caloric content of foods available;
- Conduct
taste tests with students to determine food preferences
for nutritious items; and
- Provide information to students
about nutrition, food marketing, or food safety and promote
the school meal program by having students visit the cafeteria.
- Prohibit or limit food celebrations
in the classroom and/or require that all foods served in
celebrations meet Rhode Island Nutrition Guidelines for Vending and A La Carte Foods.
- Prohibit faculty and staff
from using food items or food coupons as a reward or incentive
for good performance or behavior.
- Prohibit all forms of
advertising and promotion of foods and beverages high in
fat, sugar, or sodium on school property and at school-sponsored
events.
- Ensure that students have a
minimum of 10 minutes to eat breakfast and 20 minutes to
eat lunch once they are seated, and serve lunch between
11:00 am and 1 pm.
- Provide skills-focused nutrition
instruction, as part of a comprehensive, sequential, culturally
appropriate K-12 health education curriculum and/or family &
consumer science curriculum, that is aligned with Rhode
Island Standards and that addresses all of the following
nutrition topics:
- Benefits of healthy eating;
- Food guidance using MyPyramid and Dietary
Guidelines for Americans;
- Using food labels;
- Balancing caloric intake and physical activity;
- Portion size;
- Major nutrients;
- Identifying and eating nutrient-dense foods;
- Choosing foods that are low in fat, saturated fat, and
cholesterol;
- Using sugars and salt in moderation;
- Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products;
- Bone health;
- Heart-healthy choices;
- Preparing healthy meals and snacks;
- Sources & variety of foods, including locally grown;
- Family, cultural and societal influences on food choices;
- Proper food safety and sanitation;
- Risks of unhealthy weight control practices;
- Accepting body size differences; and
- Recognizing symptoms of and treatment for eating disorders.
- Allocate funds and release
time to support annual professional development on nutrition
for health education, family and consumer science, and
food service staff.
- Encourage collaboration
between health education, family and consumer science,
and food service staff to ensure consistency in teaching
nutrition and healthy eating.
- Provide a staff wellness program
that includes obesity prevention, weight management and
nutrition education.
- Provide parents and families with nutrition
education, information, resources and/or access to programs
to promote healthy eating.
- Actively recruit and involve
students, parents, families and community members in the
development and implementation of school health policies
and programs, including those related to nutrition and
healthy eating.
- Ensure that the school nurse and counseling/psychological/social
service providers identify and refer students with problems
related to weight and/or poor nutrition.
- Institute a farm-to-school program to incorporate
fresh, local produce into school meals while teaching students
about agriculture and nutrition.
- Implement a school garden program.
- Have one or more than one person who oversees
or coordinates nutrition services, including the availability
of foods and beverages outside the federal school meals
program.
- Ensure that food safety practices are implemented
wherever food is prepared or served at school.
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What
data are available about Nutrition in Rhode Island?
Quick Facts
- In 2006-07, 47% of RI high school students, 32% of middle school students, and 14% of elementary school students reported eating
breakfast on 2 days or fewer during the previous week (SALT Student Survey).
- Only 13% of elementary school students, 11% of middle
school students, and 7% of high school students in RI reported
eating the recommended five or more servings of fruits
and vegetables per day, in 2006-07 (SALT Student Survey).
- In 2005, less than one in five RI adolescents (18%) reported drinking
the recommended three or more glasses of milk per day, a significant decline from previous years (RI YRBS).
- According to the 2001 Rhode Island Health Information Survey, 47% of 6-11 year olds and 27% of 12-17 year olds are overweight or obese.
More Data
- The
RI Youth Risk Behavior Survey has statewide data about
nutrition among high school students, such as rates of
eating fruits and vegetables, drinking milk, and dieting
to lose weight, as well as differences between males and
females. The "Overweight, Weight Loss, and Dietary Behavior" topical report has key data on nutrition and trends. The “Physical Activity and Nutrition" brief for schools and "2005 Update: Physical Activity and Nutrition" have selected information and suggestions on how schools can use YRBS and other data to improve the school nutrition environment.
- The School
Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT) Student
Survey has school-level and statewide data on eating breakfast, eating fruits and vegetables
and drinking milk among students in grades 4-12. (Click
on School Report
Cards, search for a school, and click on the “Health” chart
link. For more detailed data, click on SALT Survey Reports,
search for a school, select a year, select "Student
Reports," and then click on one of the “Health
Care, Nutrition, and Sleep” charts.)
- "Overweight, Weight Loss, and Dietary Behavior Health Risks Among Rhode Island Public High School Students 1997 through 2005" topical report has select data and trends from the YRBS.
- The 2006 School Health Profiles summary provides basic statewide data about policies and practices related to nutrition and nutrition education in middle and high schools. More detailed information is available from the principal survey and from the teacher survey.
- The CDC's School Health Policies and Programs Study website provides fact-sheets with national data on school nutrition and foods sold outside of the school meals program, as well as a summary of state-level policies related to nutrition services.
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I'm a parent... Where do I go for parent information
and resources about Nutrition?
ParentLinkRI.org
This
site has tips for parents on talking to their teens and preteens,
including “Let’s Talk About… Physical
Activity and Nutrition for Teens.”
My Pyramid.gov 
This is the new food pyramid with information and guidance
for adults. See also:
Healthy Weight in 2008
Governor Carcieri launched the Healthy Weight in 2008 campaign to encourage Rhode Islanders to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Fruits & Veggies - More Matters
This website is a comprehensive information resource that provides health information and tips to encourage fruits and vegetables. Also see Frutas y Verduras - Fruits & Veggies in Spanish.
Overweight
in Children and Adolescents
The Surgeon General offers basic information, as well as
tips for suggestions for parents about healthy eating, physical
activity, and what to do if your child is overweight.
SmallStep.gov
This site helps people stay healthy, especially when it
comes to nutrition and fitness. It has sections for adults and teens, kids, and en Español
KidsHealth
This site has health information on a variety of topics,
including Nutrition
and Fitness information for parents. Also see Food and Fitness (for
teens) and Staying
Healthy (for kids).
HealthierUS.gov
This is a source of
accurate information to help Americans choose to live healthier
lives, with sections on Nutrition, Physical Activity, Prevention,
and Making Healthy Choices. The site has lots of information
about the government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Eat
Smart. Play Hard. Healthy Lifestyle.
This site is specifically designed for parents and caregivers
to provide information to help you eat better, be more physically
active and be a role model for your kids.
Rhode Island Approved Snack Products
Kids First maintains an extensive list of snack products that meet Rhode Island nutrition guidelines.
Healthy Snacks
for Children
The Center for Science in the Public Interest, with input
from experts and parents, created a one-page list of suggestions.
There is also a longer Healthy School Snacks for those
who want more detailed information.
Choosing
Healthier Foods and Increasing Activity
These brochures for parents are available in English and
in various Asian languages.
Bright Futures
Nutrition Family Fact Sheets
This series of fact sheets from health professionals for
families provides information in a question and answer format
about nutrition. They are organized by developmental stages.
They are also available in Spanish.
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I'm
a teacher... What resources are available on Nutrition?
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Health Literacy for All Students: The Rhode Island Health Education Framework
The Framework outlines the seven RI Health Education Standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do, as a result of K-12 health education instruction.
Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes
This document is designed to complement the RI Health Education Framework and it provides a resource to help develop, evaluate, and revise K-12 health education curricula. It provides performance descriptions for each of standards, broken out by health content area, for different grade spans. "Nutrition" is one of the 7 health content areas.
My Pyramid
for Kids Classroom Materials
The USDA offers educational materials to help children learn
the MyPyramid food guidance system. Lesson plans for
teachers are available in three levels: grades 1-2, 3-4,
and 5-6.
Body
and Mind (BAM!) Teacher’s Corner
The CDC created this a resource for teachers to incorporate
health, safety, and science topics into the classroom, using
interactive, educational, and fun activities that are linked
to national education standards for science and health. BAM!
is designed for kids 9-13 years old.
Planet
Health
This is an evaluated, interdiscipinary curriculum focused
on improving the health and well-being of 6th through 8th
grade students, while building and reinforcing skills in
language, arts, math, science, social studies, and physical
education.
Professional Development
RITOH - Rhode Island Teachers of Health “Yahoo Group” (listserv)
This listserv is an open forum for RI K-12 teachers who teach health (HE, HE/PE, School Nurse Teachers, elementary classroom teachers, etc.) to:
- Share information, news, trainings, legislative updates, and other resources;
- Ask and respond to each other’s questions;
- Confer about curricula, lessons, and teaching strategies;
- Discuss issues and challenges in schools, and more.
To subscribe, email RITOH-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Kids First
Kids
First provides education and training, promotes awareness,
and provides assistance to schools, districts and organizations
around nutrition, physical activity, and school food safety
issues.
New
England Dairy & Food Council
The Dairy Council ensures that educators and others
have a credible body of nutrition knowledge upon which
to educate or base health recommendations.
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I'm a school administrator... What tools for schools are
available on Nutrition?
Tools to Assess the School Nutrition
Environment
School Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-assessment
Tool
This tool from the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition
can help a team take inventory of their school’s
nutrition and physical activity environments.
School Health Index (SHI)
The SHI is a self-assessment and planning tool that schools
can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs.
It can be done on paper or online and can also be customized
to assess only specific topics, including Nutrition.
Wellness Policy Toolkits
Rhode Island District Health & Wellness Subcommittee Toolkit
thrive, in partnership with the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition, developed the following toolkit to help districts meet the Local Wellness Policy requirement of the federal Child Nutrition Program (see P.L. 108-265, Sec. 204) and the District Health & Wellness Subcommittee requirements of Rhode Island Public Law 05-074/05-076. The toolkit is divided into 5 sections for easy use and reference (Introduction, Process, Tools, Data, and Resources). The Toolkit includes Rhode Island Model School District Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy Language, developed by the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition to serve as a template and offer sample language for districts to use in drafting their own policies, as well various as other tools.
Other Wellness Policy Toolkits/Clearinghouses
Tools to Assess Curricula
Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT)
The HECAT can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula. The HECAT includes a Healthy Eating Module.
Tools and Resources to Improve Nutrition in Schools
Rhode Island School District Nutrition and Physical Activity Model Policy Language
The Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition has developed this to serve as a template and offer sample language for districts to use in drafting their own policies.
Rhode Island Nutrition Guidelines for School Vending and A La Carte Foods
This document accompanies the Model Policy Language to assist schools in setting nutrition guidelines for foods offered in school vending machines, as a la carte items in the cafeteria, and in school stores.
Approved Products for School Vending and A La Carte Foods in Rhode Island
Kids First maintains an extensive list of snack products that meet their nutrition guidelines. These snacks also meet the requirements of RIPL Chapter 06-231/234, requiring elementary and middle schools to sell only healthier beverages (as of 1/1/2007) and healthier snacks (beginning 1/1/2008).
Farm Fresh Rhode
Island
Farm Fresh Rhode Island has information
and resources to help you set up a Farm-to-School Program.
Guidelines
for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy
Eating
These CDC Guidelines identify strategies most likely
to be effective in promoting lifelong healthy eating among
young people.
Fit Healthy and Ready
to Learn
The National Association of State
Boards of Education (NASBE) developed this guide to
help schools and districts establish strong policies
on physical activity, nutrition, and other health issues
in the context of a coordinated school health program.
Making It Happen!
School Nutrition Success Stories
This document
describes six strategies schools have used to improve
the nutritional quality of foods and beverages offered
on campus. It also shares stories from 32 schools and
school districts that have made innovative changes.
Changing the Scene
This is a guide from USDA designed to assist administrators
to examine their school's nutrition environment, develop
a plan for improvement, and put the plan into action. It
includes a Guide
to Local Action Kit.
Helping
Students Make Better Food Choices in School
This Action for Healthy Kids report outlines how 12 schools
implemented strategies to improve student food choices. It
includes key findings on how to best support schools as they
move from developing their local wellness policies to actually
implementing and monitoring those policies.
Reports on Nutrition in Schools
Rhode Island School Nutrition Environment Evaluation:
Vending and a La Carte Food Policies
The RI Department of Education (RIDE), the Centers
for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), and ETR Associates
conducted a two-phase evaluation of the school nutrition environment in Rhode Island between 2004 and 2005. The goal for all was to collect information on the existence, the implementation, and the impact of of nutrition-related policies in schools. In Phase I, one-time interviews were conducted with 72 district level administrators from 31 school districts. In Phase II detailed case studies were conducted with selected school districts.
- Phase I Executive Summary
- Phase I Appendices
- Interview Respondent Demographics
- Existing District Level Nutrition Policies and Directives
- District Level Nutrition Policies or Directives under Development
- Perceived Effectiveness and Importance of Policies or Directives
- Nutrition Related Groups and Activities
- District Level Vending and A La Carte Food Logistics
- Contracts with Branded Beverage or Food Companies
- Vending and A La Carte Accounting and Revenue
“The
Obesity Epidemic: What Schools Can Do”
The
December 2004 edition of NASBE’s State Education
Standard includes articles on the role of schools,
health policies, and more.
“Schools
Can Play a Role in Preventing Childhood Obesity”
This
factsheet from the Institute of Medicine’s report Preventing Childhood Obesity:
Health in the Balance identifies promising school-based
approaches for prevention efforts.
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Where
can I learn more?
Rhode Island Nutrition Resources
The
Rhode Island Department of Health’s Initiative
for a Healthy Weight (IHW)
IHW coordinates, supports, and implements activities to
promote lifelong healthy eating and active living. IHW recently
published Rhode Island's Plan for
Healthy Eating and Active Living, a roadmap for obesity
prevention and control efforts in the state.
National Nutrition Resources
Action for
Healthy Kids (AFHK)
AFHK is the only nonprofit organization
formed specifically to address the epidemic of overweight,
undernourished and sedentary youth by focusing on changes
at school. AFHK works in every state to improve children's
nutrition and increase physical activity, which will in
turn improve their readiness to learn.
Center for Disease Control
(CDC)
CDC’s
Division of Adolescent and School Health has a page devoted
to the topic of Childhood Overweight and
schools.
CDC’s Division of Nutrition
and Physical Activity has a wealth of information
and resources on nutrition and physical activity in school
and non-school settings.
The
Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease
Overweight and Obesity
This report outlines strategies that communities can use
in helping to address the problems associated with this epidemic.
USDA
Food and Nutrition Information Center
Provides credible, accurate, and practical resources for
nutrition and health professionals, educators, government
personnel and consumers.
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Whom do I contact for more information?
Jan Mermin
Health Education Specialist
Rhode Island Department of Education
401-222-8954
Jan.Mermin@ride.ri.gov
Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Ed.D.
Program Manager, Initiative for Healthy Youth
Rhode Island Department of Health
401-222-5922
Rosemary.Reilly-Chammat@health.ri.gov
Eliza Lawson
Program Manager, Initiative for a Healthy Weight
Rhode Island Department of Health
401-222-4847
Eliza.Lawson@health.ri.gov
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