AAP recommends focus on nutrient-rich foods in schools

In order to support the continued improvement in nutrition quality of food at schools, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends selecting foods from the 5 main food groups, promoting food variety, avoiding energy dense/high calorie foods, choosing foods with minimum added sugars, and following portion size recommendations.

Rundown: An increase in childhood obesity over the years has resulted in more attention on improving school nutrition, as more than 55 million kids in the United States consume 35% to 40% of their daily energy in schools. Students obtain food through 3 venues: 1) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) school lunches and breakfasts, 2) competitive items sold at schools which are not part of the USDA meals, and 3) other items such as packed meals from home, snacks, in-class parties, etc. Recent data has shown continued improvement in nutrition quality of school food in alignment with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans since 1995. There has also been a significant progression in the quality of beverages in schools since the AAP’s policy statement in 2004 referencing sweetened drinks in schools, which encourages water, white and flavored milks, and 100% fruit and vegetable drinks. However, there still exists a need for improvements in the quality of food brought from home. In this policy statement, the AAP recommends selecting foods from the 5 fundamental food groups (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy, and quality protein), promoting a variety of foods, avoiding highly processed foods (energy dense with a high calorie content per weight of food), minimizing added sugars, and adherence to portion size recommendations. Pediatricians can serve as examples by encouraging foods that are high in nutrient density. They can also influence the food choices of families and local school staff by identifying good quality attributes of nutrient-rich foods. Pediatricians should continue to support the USDA guidelines for school meals and collaborate with other school health professionals to instill the importance of quality nutrition.

Click to read the policy statement, published today in Pediatrics

Image: CC

©2015 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.