September 1, 2003
Ensuring Good Nutrition in Iowa Schools
The beginning of the school year is a time of anticipation and excitement for both kids and parents. Every new school year holds the promise of broader horizons, new friends, and valuable experiences.Unfortunately, research shows that many of our children are not as healthy as they could be. In the last 30 years, the percentage of children who are overweight has tripled, as have the medical costs of treating them. In fact, experts estimate the annual cost of obesity to the United States at about $100 billion, putting it on par with smoking. Obesity also contributes to a vast array of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
We all know that we need to exercise, make good choices, and encourage our kids to do the same. I strongly believe that our communities have a role to play as well—especially our schools.
When I went to school, junk foods were not available as they are today. The US General Accounting Office found that 43 percent of elementary schools, 74 percent of middle schools, and 98 percent of high schools have vending machines, school snack bars, or other places where junk food is readily accessible to kids. The wide availability of such foods is not without consequences. Children who attend schools with vending machines and school snack bars consume more fat and eat fewer fruits and vegetables than students who go to schools that do not offer such junk foods.
We can take positive steps to safeguard the health and nutrition of our children.
First, I believe that Congress should expand my pilot program that provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to kids at school. This program has been tested in Iowa and students, parents, and teachers alike have embraced it enthusiastically.
I also believe that the federal government should provide incentives to schools to encourage them to provide healthier alternatives to junk food, integrate nutrition education in their curricula, and offer healthier and tastier meals through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
Finally, I believe we should give the Department of Agriculture the authority to keep soda, candy and snacks from undermining the healthy balanced meals offered in our schools through the School Lunch and School Breakfast programs.
It is important that we allow parents to make decisions about the junk foods that their kids eat, not schools. Schools should take steps to ensure that when they are away from home, kids eat well.
When the National School Lunch Act was first passed after World War II, Congress stated a simple and obvious fact – healthy children contribute to a strong country. That is why the original Declaration of Policy of the National School Lunch Act says that it is, “a measure of national security” to “safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s children.”
This has not changed as the years have passed, but the health and nutritional challenges that our kids face have. It is time to update these programs to promote a healthy future for our nation’s children.