|
|
THE
STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK /
ALBANY, NY 12234 |
|
To: |
Food
Service Director/Managers |
|
From: |
Frances
N. O’Donnell, Coordinator |
|
Date: |
January
3, 2005 |
|
Subject: |
Prevention
of Childhood Overweight - What Should be Done? |
Prevention
of Childhood Overweight – What Should be Done?
The following position
paper, ‘Prevention
of Childhood Overweight – What Should be Done?’ was prepared by the
Center for Weight and Health, College of Natural Resources, University of
California at Berkeley.
Schools across the country will be developing local wellness plans over
the next 18 months. Local parents, teachers, administrators, health and
nutrition advocates, board members, school food service directors and others in
the local community will be participating in discussions regarding what
policies would best serve their children. Resources from a variety of credible
authorities should be reviewed to ensure that policies agreed upon promote
healthy lifestyles for children. In addition to providing good information,
this position paper includes a listing of 249 references consulted in the
preparation.
|
|
THE
STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK /
ALBANY, NY 12234 |
|
To: |
Food
Service Directors/Managers |
|
From: |
Frances
N. O’Donnell, Coordinator |
|
Date: |
January
3, 2005 |
|
Subject: |
Soft
Drinks in Schools |
American
Academy of Pediatrics
Policy
Statement
(Organizational
Principles to Guide and Define the Child Health Care System and/or Improve the
Health of All Children)
SOFT
DRINKS IN SCHOOLS
The following Paper, "Policy
Statement – Soft drinks in Schools," was published by the American
Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on School Health, in the January 2004 edition
of PEDIATRICS, Vol. 113, No. 1.
School officials and parents need to become
well informed about the health implications of vended drinks in school before
making a decision about student access to them. School districts should develop
clearly defined, district-wide policies that address student access to soft
drinks with a clear understanding of the health problems that result from over
consumption.
This policy statement is intended to inform
pediatricians and other health care professionals, parents, superintendents and
school board members about nutritional concerns regarding soft drink
consumption in schools. It also makes recommendations to districts currently
operating under or considering an exclusive pouring rights contract, as well as
those who are considering student access to vending machines.
In New York State, public schools may not
serve or sell candy, soda, gum and water ices from the beginning of the school
day until after the last lunch period. Many schools are re-evaluating their
food service, a la carte, and vending operations in order to provide students
with a wider selection of healthy food and beverage choices.