WASHINGTON, DC – Child nutrition programs have a role to play in fighting the nation’s child obesity crisis, witnesses told members of the House Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee today. While there is no single solution for combating this epidemic, which plagues 25 million children, these programs should take a comprehensive approach that promotes nutrition quality, education and physical activities.
“There is no silver bullet to solving childhood obesity,” said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chairwoman of the Health Families and Communities Subcommittee. “However, the School Breakfast and Lunch programs can make a great impact because they may provide 50 percent of a student’s food and nutrient intake on school days.”
“There is no silver bullet to solving childhood obesity,” said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chairwoman of the Health Families and Communities Subcommittee. “However, the School Breakfast and Lunch programs can make a great impact because they may provide 50 percent of a student’s food and nutrient intake on school days.”
America’s children currently have a one in five risk of becoming obese before reaching kindergarten.
The healthy or unhealthy habits children develop during their earliest years can last a lifetime. An obese teenager, for example, has an 80 percent chance of being an obese adult.
“The link between early behaviors and obesity later in life leads to the conclusion that successful obesity prevention strategies must begin at a very young age. In fact, they should begin prenatally and in the first hour of life,” said Dr. Lorrene Ritchie, director of the Atkins Center for Weight and Health at the University of California, Berkeley. “If we do not take bold steps now to improve nutrition and prevent obesity, the present generation of young children will likely be the first in our nation’s history to live a shorter life than their parents.”
Schools and other community based programs such as WIC, a comprehensive health and wellness program for women and children who are at nutritional risk, are uniquely placed to use integrated approaches to teach students and families about healthy living and give them the opportunity to experience it through integrated education programs, nutritious meals, and physical education.
Nancy Copperman, director of the Public Health Initiative at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Long Island, told the committee about their partnership with schools called the Activity Works Program. The program is focused on integrating physical activity into the classroom by creating CDs and DVDs that combine education with getting children moving.
Witnesses urged lawmakers to apply the lessons from successful programs as it works to improve federal child nutrition laws, so that more children have access to programs that promote physical health and sound nutrition. Reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act is one of several priorities for the House Education and Labor Committee for the 111th Congress.
“While these successes are significant, working with one community, one school, or one childcare provider at a time is not going to end the obesity epidemic,” said First Lady of New York, Michelle Paterson of programs in New York. “We need federal policies, standards, regulations and commitments that help make the healthy option the easy choice for New Yorkers and all Americans.”
The healthy or unhealthy habits children develop during their earliest years can last a lifetime. An obese teenager, for example, has an 80 percent chance of being an obese adult.
“The link between early behaviors and obesity later in life leads to the conclusion that successful obesity prevention strategies must begin at a very young age. In fact, they should begin prenatally and in the first hour of life,” said Dr. Lorrene Ritchie, director of the Atkins Center for Weight and Health at the University of California, Berkeley. “If we do not take bold steps now to improve nutrition and prevent obesity, the present generation of young children will likely be the first in our nation’s history to live a shorter life than their parents.”
Schools and other community based programs such as WIC, a comprehensive health and wellness program for women and children who are at nutritional risk, are uniquely placed to use integrated approaches to teach students and families about healthy living and give them the opportunity to experience it through integrated education programs, nutritious meals, and physical education.
Nancy Copperman, director of the Public Health Initiative at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Long Island, told the committee about their partnership with schools called the Activity Works Program. The program is focused on integrating physical activity into the classroom by creating CDs and DVDs that combine education with getting children moving.
Witnesses urged lawmakers to apply the lessons from successful programs as it works to improve federal child nutrition laws, so that more children have access to programs that promote physical health and sound nutrition. Reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act is one of several priorities for the House Education and Labor Committee for the 111th Congress.
“While these successes are significant, working with one community, one school, or one childcare provider at a time is not going to end the obesity epidemic,” said First Lady of New York, Michelle Paterson of programs in New York. “We need federal policies, standards, regulations and commitments that help make the healthy option the easy choice for New Yorkers and all Americans.”
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