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free tools for patients, expert nutrition advice and information on updated
dairy nutrition resources.
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Educate your patients on the importance of 3-A-Day of Dairy: Here's
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tool (PDF: 618k) to show families how to get their 3-A-Day of Dairy
every day for stronger bones.
Developed in conjunction with The American Academy of Family
Physicians, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Dietetic
Association, and The National Medical Association.
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Dairy Council Digest Archives
Creating a Healthy School Environment for Children
Benefits of School Meal Programs
Schools help improve children's health by offering school meal programs (25). Studies indicate that participating in federally sponsored school meal programs such as the NSLP and the SBP reduces students' hunger, improves their nutrient intake, and supports learning and academic achievement (5,6,25-34). These programs also provide students an opportunity to practice healthful eating behaviors taught in the classroom (28).
The nutritional quality of school meals has substantially improved following passage of the Healthy Meals for Healthy Americans Act (PL103-448) in the mid-1990s (35). The NSLP and SBP must now meet the nutritional standards of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (i.e., provide no more than 30% of total calories from fat and less than10% of calories from saturated fat when analyzed over a week) (35,36).
Students' increased access to competitive foods and beverages, especially those of minimal nutritional value (e.g., soft drinks), undermines the ability of school meal programs to contribute to children's health, well-being, and academic achievement.
The most recent (1998-99) USDA evaluation of school meals (i.e., School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study – II) reveals that for all key nutrients the NSLP and SBP met or exceeded program standards (5). For example, both the NSLP and SBP provided more calcium than required (5). Participation in the NSLP is associated with higher average intakes of many nutrients, both at lunch and over 24 hours (22). Compared to nonparticipants, children who participate in the NSLP are likely to consume more milk and milk products, vegetables, and meat and other protein foods, as well as less soda and/or fruit drinks, both at lunch and over 24 hours (22). The higher milk intake of NSLP participants is of significance given that milk is a nutrient dense, cost effective component of school lunches (37). The nutritional quality of school meals has been found to be superior to that of meals brought from or consumed at home (38,39).
Studies reveal that participation in school meal programs such as the SBP is positively associated with students' learning/academic performance (29-34). For example, providing free school breakfast to all students has been demonstrated to alleviate morning hunger, decrease student absenteeism and tardiness, improve children's grades and psychosocial functioning, and provide other benefits (29,33,34). The nutritional, health, and academic benefits of school meal programs are especially important for children from households with food insecurity and/or hunger issues (40).
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