Education isn’t easy. It takes a lot to master reading, writing, arithmetic and the skills that turn us into productive, successful adults. Add in the pressures of growing up, and there’s already plenty on a kid’s plate. The last thing they need is more junk food at school.
Studies have shown that eating better helps students perform better in school.1 And forming strong nutritional habits early will help lead to a lifetime of better eating habits.
Let’s help make food choices an “easy A” by implementing national standards for snack foods and beverages in schools. The first step is learning the facts about “Smart Snacks in School.”
- Children and adolescents often consume as many as 50 percent of their daily calories at school—and while at school they’re often exposed to a variety of unhealthy foods.
- These unhealthy foods are usually found in places like school vending machines, snack bars and à la carte cafeteria lines. Even school fundraisers can promote junk food, sending mixed messages to kids.
- Even small changes to students’ school-based diets—such as replacing a candy bar with an apple— may reduce their risk of tooth decay, obesity, and chronic illness through decreased calorie, fat, and sugar intake.
- Since students with healthier diets are more likely to perform better academically, implementing strong nutrition standards in every state could not only boost efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic, it could also improve academic performance and behavior.
- It’s not just students who benefit from nutrition standards: schools benefit financially when these types of policies are enacted. Research shows that on average food service revenue increases or remains flat when guidelines are applied.
When kids enter the school doors each day, getting the foods they need to succeed shouldn’t be a test. Implementing national standards for snack foods and beverages in schools will help make food choices an easy A.
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Every child deserves a school environment in which he or she can learn, grow, and thrive. But across our nation, kids arrive at school every day and find themselves surrounded by advertisements and promotions. There are ads on posters, book covers and school buses promoting unhealthy drinks. Join the Junk Food Marketing Action Team and stand up to marketers! Tell them "Don't Sell Us Short™" of our--and our kids' potential to live long, healthy lives.
PreventObesity.Net is now
Voices for Healthy Kids
Action Center
Welcome! The Voices for Healthy Kids Action Center is designed to support you as we work together to help all kids grow up at a healthy weight. Join the growing movement!
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