(This is a guest blog post by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, Education and Labor Committee Member and Chair of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.)
Today’s hearing is an important first step toward strengthening the federal nutrition and school meal programs in the upcoming child nutrition reauthorization. Improving child nutrition is also part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s recent efforts in tackling the epidemic of childhood obesity and in President Obama’s recently-established Task Force on Childhood Obesity.
As a longtime nurse and the Chairwoman of the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, I believe it is important that we examine practices which can help increase access to child nutrition programs and to more healthy foods for our children in schools. Given the current harsh financial realities for many families in my district and throughout the nation, schools have an increasingly important role to play since they provide students with more than 50% of their food and nutrient intake.
Today’s hearing is an important first step toward strengthening the federal nutrition and school meal programs in the upcoming child nutrition reauthorization. Improving child nutrition is also part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s recent efforts in tackling the epidemic of childhood obesity and in President Obama’s recently-established Task Force on Childhood Obesity. As a longtime nurse and the Chairwoman of the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, I believe it is important that we examine practices which can help increase access to child nutrition programs and to more healthy foods for our children in schools. Given the current harsh financial realities for many families in my district and throughout the nation, schools have an increasingly important role to play since they provide students with more than 50% of their food and nutrient intake.
Studies show that infants who are breastfed are less likely to develop
certain illnesses, such as obesity, later in life. Increasing
breastfeeding rates in the WIC program will go a long way toward
improving the health of our children. At the preschool level, if we
emphasize the need for healthier eating and more physical activity, our
nation will reap the benefits in the long term. Child care facilities
serve a crucial role in nurturing young minds. It is our job to assist
child care providers in that role by supporting the Child and Adult Care
Food Programs.
We have all told our children that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies have proven that we are correct. Unfortunately, less than half of students eligible for school breakfast participate in this important program. Recently, I was lucky enough to visit Powell Lane Elementary school in my district in Westbury, NY and observe their universal school breakfast program. Children there are getting breakfast, and I saw firsthand the increased discipline that each child displayed.
We all know that well-nourished, physically-active children learn better. And we also know that obesity is an epidemic. If we start to educate our kids early enough we can establish lifelong healthy habits and instill the values of healthy living and wellness for the future.
We have our work cut out for us. But by taking a comprehensive approach to nutrition, our children, families and communities will all be healthier.
We have all told our children that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies have proven that we are correct. Unfortunately, less than half of students eligible for school breakfast participate in this important program. Recently, I was lucky enough to visit Powell Lane Elementary school in my district in Westbury, NY and observe their universal school breakfast program. Children there are getting breakfast, and I saw firsthand the increased discipline that each child displayed.
We all know that well-nourished, physically-active children learn better. And we also know that obesity is an epidemic. If we start to educate our kids early enough we can establish lifelong healthy habits and instill the values of healthy living and wellness for the future.
We have our work cut out for us. But by taking a comprehensive approach to nutrition, our children, families and communities will all be healthier.
