The CDC reports that approximately 18.4% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 are obese, while 25.8% of Hispanic children are considered obese (“Childhood Obesity Facts,” 2021). The USDA spends an estimated $14.1 billion per year to support school-based child nutrition programs such as free and reduced-price meals (FARMS) (“National School Lunch Program,” 2020). Students facing greater social risks, including food insecurity, are at a greater risk of developing obesity, and studies suggest that obese children consume significantly more fast food and sugar-sweetened drinks compared to non-obese children (Suglia et al., 2013; Gillis & Bar-Or, 2003). An approach focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake through nutrition education has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity and has the co-benefit of decreasing sugar and fat intake amongst children and their parents (Epstein et al., 2001). In particular, afterschool programming focused on nutrition education and physical activity has been shown to be an effective approach to increase fruit and vegetable consumption (Sandoval et al., 2011). That being said, an after-school nutrition program targeted towards elementary aged students in Montgomery County, MD, with at least a 50% FARMs rate would be a proactive measure to prevent and address childhood obesity.
In Montgomery County, 38.9% of elementary school students received free or reduced price meals, equating to a total of at least 29,748 children (Montgomery County Public Schools, 2020). This statistic is used as an indicator of food insecurity amongst children. Additionally, 33.9% of elementary school children in the county identify as Hispanic or Latino (Montgomery County Public Schools, 2020). Given the national statistics, thousands of the children attending Montgomery County public elementary schools that are experiencing food insecurity are likely also obese. Childhood obesity can have long term health implications, such as increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood, and is therefore important to address early on (Weihrauch-Blüher & Wiegand, 2018). Research suggests that nutrition education programming can not only help to increase food security status, but is also a proven strategy to reduce the risk of obesity in children (Farrell, 2013; Epstein et al., 2001).
This proposed program will take the form of a one-to-two hour after school program, once per week, where students will participate in nutrition education lessons, learn culinary skills, and prepare simple, healthy snacks with their peers. The curriculum will focus on decreasing sugar intake and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption amongst the target audience, with consideration for the cultural backgrounds and food access challenges that their families may have, and by addressing the individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels of influence. The programming will promote food and nutrition knowledge and positive attitudes towards fruits and vegetables amongst participants, as well as basic food preparation skills to make healthy snacks independently with affordable and recognizable ingredients. The program will also integrate learning opportunities related to the weekly school breakfast and lunch menu, recognizing that many of the students receive free and reduced-priced meals at school.
Data suggests that healthy dietary habits, including adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, correlates with improved academic achievement amongst students (Burrows et al., 2017). This program will help to enhance academic outcomes and performance in elementary schools throughout the county, cultivating a more successful student body with more diversified learning experiences. The findings of the Montgomery County Food Literacy Assessment, published in 2019, suggests that there are significant gaps in local food education programming, including a lack of multilingual and culturally competent programming, limited accessibility to programs and resources, and limited training opportunities (“Food Literacy Assessment Report,” 2019). This program will help to fill that gap for elementary-aged students. The programming will be data driven, using best practices gleaned from existing programs such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program (“Food Literacy Assessment Report,” 2019). This program will be a critical tool to support healthier outcomes and expand nutrition education to elementary school students, and will undoubtedly be successful.
References
Burrows, T., Hutchesson, M., Whatnall, M., & Patterson, A. (2017). Associations between Dietary Intake and Academic Achievement in College Students: A Systematic Review. Healthcare, 5(4), 60. doi: 10.3390/healthcare5040060
Childhood Obesity Facts. (2021). Retrieved 19 January 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html#:~:text=Prevalence%20of%20Childhood%20Obesity%20in%20the%20United%20States&text=The%20prevalence%20of%20obesity%20was,to%2019%2Dyear%2Dolds
Epstein, L., Gordy, C., Raynor, H., Beddome, M., Kilanowski, C., Paluch, R. (2001). Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Decreasing Fat and Sugar Intake in Families at Risk for Childhood Obesity. Obesity Research, 9(3). Retrieved from http://maca.pt/Sites/maca/Documentos/Epstein_LH_et_al_2001-increasing-fruit-and-vegetable-intake.pdf.
Farrell, Jamie A., “The Impact Of Nutrition Education On Food Security Status And Food-related Behaviors” (2013). Masters Theses 1911 – February 2014. 1036. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses/1036
Food Literacy Assessment Report. (2019). Retrieved 16 March 2021 from https://mocofoodcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Food-Literacy-Assessment-Report-July-11-2019.pdf
Gillis, L., & Bar-Or, O. (2003). Food Away from Home, Sugar-Sweetened Drink Consumption and Juvenile Obesity. Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition, 22(6), 539-545. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2003.10719333
Montgomery County Public Schools. (2020). Summary- County Elementary Schools. Retrieved from https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/elementary.pdf
National School Lunch Program. (2020). Retrieved 16 March 2021, from https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/child-nutrition-programs/national-school-lunch-program
Sandoval, C., Nigg, C., Titchenal, C.A. (2011). The Impact of an Elementary After-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Program on Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Physical Activity, and Body Mass Index: Fun 5. Hawai’i Medical Journal, 70(7), 37-41.
Suglia, S., Duarte, C., Chambers, E., & Boynton-Jarrett, R. (2013). Social and Behavioral Risk Factors for Obesity in Early Childhood. Journal Of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 34(8), 549-556. doi: 10.1097/dbp.0b013e3182a509c0
Weihrauch-Blüher, S., Wiegand, S. (2018). Risk Factors and Implications of Childhood Obesity. Curr Obes Rep 7, 254–259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-018-0320-0