Tag Archives: Obesity

Public Health Institute and California Project LEAN Applaud USDA Proposed Nutrition Standards for Foods Sold in Schools


Posted by HFHP Coalition
Cross-posted from Public Health Institute

Joint Statement from Cyndi Guerra Walter, California Project LEAN, and Gabrielle Serra, Public Health Institute

“Public Health Institute (PHI) and California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal, ‘Smart Snacks in Schools,’ to establish minimum nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools.

“ ‘Smart Snacks in Schools’ is a significant step toward ensuring children across the nation have greater access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and  lean protein, and less access to sugar-sweetened beverages.

“These proposed standards are part of a comprehensive effort required by the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 to ensure that healthy food and beverages are available in schools for all children, whether they participate in the federally subsidized school meals or purchase foods and beverages from snack bars, student stores or vending machines.

“Good nutrition is a critical factor in promoting children’s health, and their success in and out of the classroom. Establishing minimum national nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools is an important step to help ensure that healthy choices are the default option for our children. Research shows that competitive food and beverage standards can help reduce the risk for obesity-related chronic diseases. In California–where competitive food standards have been in place since 2007– high school students consumed fewer calories, less fat and less sugar at school than students in states with no competitive food standards in place.

“PHI and California Project LEAN look forward to working with USDA, states and local school districts to ensure the implementation of strong, science-based nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools. We also underscore our commitment to support innovation and leadership in communities across the United States to establish and implement nutrition standards that go above and beyond the federal guidelines for foods and beverages sold outside the school meal programs to improve nutrition and prevent childhood obesity.”


Wise farm-bill investments could help to boost economy and health


Posted by HFHP Coalition
By Matthew Marsom - 03/07/12 07:59 PM ET

Once again America is leading the world, but this time it’s no cause for celebration. New obesity data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reveal that the United States has the highest obesity rate of all developed nations. What’s more, the new data show that overall obesity rates in the United States climbed 4 percent to 5 percent over the last 10 years, with more Americans now overweight or obese than ever before.

Fortunately, a key fix to the obesity epidemic lies with the federal legislation that shapes and influences America’s food supply: the U.S. farm bill. The omnibus legislation, which might more appropriately be called a food bill, helps determine which foods are produced, how they are produced and what foods are accessible throughout the United States.

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