03/18/03

American Dietetic Association Urges Regulation of School Food Sales, More Funding for Child Nutrition Education and Research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2003

Media contacts: Lori Ferme, Bridget McManamon

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Congress debates extending and revising the Child Nutrition Act, which authorizes federal school breakfast and lunch programs and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program, the American Dietetic Association recommends revisions to the legislation to promote healthier eating by children in school and at home.

ADA's recommendations include improving the school nutrition environments themselves, to promote energy balance, moderation and eating patterns that are consistent with the federal dietary and nutrition guidelines, said registered dietitian and ADA President Julie O'Sullivan Maillet. ADA's recommendations were announced March 18 in Washington, D.C., at ADA's 2003 Public Policy Workshop, an annual member update on current and upcoming issues of national food and nutrition policy.

"We have made significant progress in recent years to bring school meals more in line with national nutrition guidelines," Maillet said. "However, school meals -- breakfast and lunch -- do not represent a complete menu of the foods and beverages that are available on school premises or nearby. When those foods are considered, children have many choices that can undo or replace the healthy selection of foods and portions offered in their school meals."

ADA recommends creating a universal nutrition standard for all foods and beverages served at schools. Such a standard would promote food choices in portion sizes that contribute to children's healthy eating patterns and help schools and communities present the best vending, a la carte, school store and competitive foods options.

"Creating a standard is not enough," Maillet said. "It must be matched with mechanisms to assure that it is recognized, respected and enforced in schools around the country. Authority to do that should rest with the U.S. Department of Agriculture." ADA also supports strengthening nutrition education and promotion components of federal school nutrition programs and increased funding for child nutrition program research.

"ADA is committed to strengthening federal nutrition programs, enhancing nutrition education, improving environments that are conducive to healthy food and beverage choices by children and developing a comprehensive nationwide child nutrition research agenda," Maillet said. "ADA and the dietetics profession look forward to working with Congress and the Bush Administration on this issue and all others related to the nutrition and health of our children."

With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition and well-being. Visit ADA at www.eatright.org.

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