Sneeze_l April 2010

sneeze_l@email.rutgers.edu

27 participants
38 discussions

Comments on documentaries: Food, Inc. & Fresh?
by Suzy Pelican 06 Dec '13

06 Dec '13

SNE and F&NSPEC listserv members: **Apologies for any duplicate messages** I am hoping some of you may be able to point me toward information I think must be out there...but that I haven't been able to find! I've seen both "Food Inc." and "Fresh" - two recently released documentaries about the contemporary U.S. food system, with emphasis on serious problems created by factory farms and other practices common within large-scale agricultural operations. These are powerful and thought-provoking films, and they put forth - visually and orally - some critical issues (health, ethical, environmental to name just a few) for all to consider. That said, I am also interested in viewers who may question some of the perspectives/facts shared in either or both of these films. As I said above, I know the films raise critical issues, but I sense that some of the films' generalities might be overstated. (Admittedly, I may be wrong in this, but I'd like a broader foundation for evaluation than just my own inadequate knowledge base!) Thanks, in advance, for any insights you could share with me and/or any references/websites/etc. you could point me toward. Suzy Suzanne Pelican, MS, RD Food & Nutrition Specialist / WIN Wyoming Coordinator Family & Consumer Sciences University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service Dept. 3354, 1000 E. University Laramie, WY 82071 307-766-5177; fax: 307-766-5686 pelican(a)uwyo.edu www.uwyo.edu/cesnutrition www.uwyo.edu/winwyoming

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SNE releases a report on the value of nutrition education
by strategicnutr＠aol.com 07 Jan '11

07 Jan '11

Dear SNEEZErs, Attached is a press release announcing SNE's report State of Nutrition Education and Promotion for Children and Adolescents. Please forward it to friends and colleagues who would also be interested in reading it and using it to help justify the need for more nutrition education. Thanks, Nicole Nicole Turner-Ravana, MS Strategic Nutrition Communications LLC “Talking Food, Inspiring Health" www.StrategicNutrition.org 818.825.9136

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Announcing Latest Issue of The Forum for Family and Consumer Issues
by Jackie McClelland 18 Dec '10

18 Dec '10

Greetings: This note is to introduce the latest issue of The Forum for Family and Consumer Issues found at http://ncsu.edu/ffci. You may have already read this issue as I should have sent this announcement out quite a while back. I am including the Welcome and the paper abstracts below: Welcome! Promoting the health and wellbeing of our country’s youth is an effort I believe all citizens and professionals support. Our youth and their families play pivotal roles in our society. Yet there is much that we need to learn about our youth and how they as a population have increased in size and have changed in needs and behavior over the years. For instance, children and adolescents from birth to age 17 now constitute one-fourth of our country’s population. The U.S. adolescent population increased by 16.6 percent from 1990 to 2000 and the population is projected to increase to an estimated 41.6 million by the year 2010. While the youth are healthier than adults in general, from 13 to 23 percent experience special health care needs or chronic illnesses and disabilities. In 2005 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey showed that 14.5% of students in grades 9 to 12 had lifetime asthma and 13.1% were overweight. To add to the health issues large differences exist between the stresses, pressures and lifestyles lived by today’s youth than that previously experienced by earlier generations. Seventy one percent of all deaths among persons aged 10 to 24 years result from four causes: motor vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. Professionals who serve our population of youth need more knowledge, skills, tools, and training to promote positive outcomes. In this issue we offer a diversity of papers that focus on a variety of approaches to and issues that surround our youth and their eventual growth, health and wellbeing. They cover the gamut from older youth reaching younger youth to supporting pediatricians with parenting information, and from direct delivery of educational curriculum to students to looking at the role of parental communication quality on youth behavior. These papers will benefit many areas of your efforts with youth. Enjoy! Paper Abstracts: Recruiting college students to be youth mentors Kathy Dimick,Utah State University Extension System; Brian J. Higginbotham, Stacey MacArthur, Utah State University; Monti Poulson, Utah State University Extension System Abstract Mentoring programs are becoming an increasingly popular intervention to promote positive youth development. However, in the United States there are more at-risk youth than there are mentors. One concentrated source of mentors is students on college and university campuses. This article discusses the recruiting strategies employed by one Extension-sponsored mentoring program. The three strategies outlined have been instrumental in securing committed and caring college-aged mentors. Rites of passage during adolescence Scott D. Scheer, Stephen M. Gavazzi, The Ohio State University; David G. Blumenkrantz, Center for the Advancement of Youth, Family, and Community Services, Inc. Abstract The literature on rites of passage in adolescence is reviewed, with particular attention given to the essential components for positive developmental outcomes. Three human development orientations – life course, life span, and life cycle – are presented to examine rites of passage as they relate to life transitions. Within these orientations, positive rites of passage are framed as requiring both events and cognitive processes of the event. In other words, rites of passage events must be significant for adolescents not only as experiences, but having special meaning, emotion, and understanding. A model is introduced that highlights the potentially positive and negative roles that rites of passage can play in the transition to adulthood. In addition, investigations are discussed to help understand the complex rites of passage mechanisms. Finally, the benefits of employing rites of passage strategies are illustrated through youth development programs. Family life educators supporting pediatricians with parenting information Karen DeBord, Rebecca Stelter, North Carolina State University Abstract Pediatricians report seeing 40 to 60 patients per day. Many parents of these patients have specific questions about behavioral and developmental issues such as discipline, sleep, nutrition, and toileting, all of which are topics that family life educators are prepared to address routinely. Collaboration between Extension educators and pediatricians can benefit patients, parents, and pediatric practices, as well as family life education programs. Adolescent nutrition and exercise behavior: A preliminary investigation into the role of parental communication quality Kay M. Palan, Mary Lynn Damhorst, Iowa State University, Jennifer Paff Ogle, Colorado State University; Cheryl O. Hausafus, Cheryll A. Reitmeier ,Iowa State University ; Grace Marquis, McGill University Abstract This paper addresses an issue that has received little attention within the literature: the role that parents play in shaping children’s nutrition and exercise beliefs and behaviors. Of particular interest was the influence of parental style and the quality of parent-child communication upon children’s nutrition and exercise beliefs and behaviors. Twenty family units with a child in middle school were studied during home visits. Data were collected with a survey instrument, including measures related to parent-adolescent communication quality, warm and restrictive parenting styles, adolescent nutrition concern, adolescent weight loss behaviors, and adolescent exercise commitment and satisfaction. Results suggest that adolescents’ nutrition concerns were positively related to good communication quality and restrictive parenting behaviors, and they support the significance of parental communication on adolescents’ nutrition and exercise attitudes and behaviors. Implications for education and intervention are identified. Morality and money: Relating character and values to financial education in grades K-4 Thomas A. Lucey, Illinois State University; Duane M. Giannangelo, The University of Memphis; Jeffrey M. Hawkins, Oklahoma State University (Tulsa Campus); Julia A. Heath, Michael M. Grant, The University of Memphis Abstract This study examines the inclusion of a moral component to teaching financial education to children in grades K-4. Comparisons were made between current financial education areas and suggested moral items. Morality was defined and measured by modifying items from the courtesy, generosity, and sportsmanship subscales of Bulach and Butler’s (2002) survey. The study found that levels of agreement with financial morality items were similar to the levels of agreement with the generally accepted areas. Findings must be extended to a larger sample for confirmation or refutation, using a more extensive measure of financial morality. The authors invite further examination into the prospect of developing moral tenets within financial education. Got Calcium? - A youth curriculum that promotes dairy and non-dairy sources of calcium Martha Raidl, Rhea Lanting, Katie Miner, Joey Peutz, University of Idaho Abstract Most children are not meeting dietary calcium requirements. To address this issue, a four-lesson youth curriculum called Got Calcium?, which promotes dairy and non-dairy calcium-rich foods, was developed. Two hundred and thirty-two students and 196 family members participated in the study. After four lessons, students significantly increased (p<0.001) their knowledge of calcium and calcium-rich foods. A parent take-home food frequency form revealed that students’ current intake of calcium came from dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt) products. By the end of the four lessons, approximately 40 percent to 70 percent of students selected non-dairy calcium-rich foods (kale, greens, tofu, and salmon) when planning calcium-rich meals. Strengthening Families Through Military 4-H Partnerships Debra A. Jones, Joanne Roueche, Utah State University Extension Abstract Extension, 4-H, and the military have been partners since World War I. Through the recent decade, the U.S. Army, Air Force, and 4-H have partnered to provide positive youth development on military installations involving over 7,000 youth in 4-H clubs in the U.S. and abroad. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, a new initiative extends this same support to military youth and families who are not affiliated with military installations, but who are dispersed in rural, urban, and suburban communities across the nation through the National Guard and Reserve. All youth involved through military outreach are enrolled as 4-H members through their respective counties. As the program becomes more widely known, counties integrate these youth in local, state, regional, and national 4-H activities and events. Authors share their experience developing relationships, implementing positive youth development programs, and explain how these successful actions resulted in funding sources for increased outreach. Youth Teaching Youth: Evaluation of the Alcohol/Tobacco Decisions cross-age teaching program Carly Emil, Jodi Dworkin, Carol Skelly, University of Minnesota Extension Abstract The Alcohol/Tobacco Decisions (ATD) program was developed by the Extension Service in a midwestern state. The program’s unique format of cross-age teaching uses local high school students to instruct fourth-grade students, rather than the typical teacher-to-student format. The ATD program operates under the 4-H model of promoting positive youth development and older youth teaching younger youth. To begin to evaluate the effectiveness of the ATD program in changing students’ knowledge of alcohol, tobacco, and advertising, students completed a pre- and post-test. This pilot evaluation yielded statistically significant improvements in knowledge in all content areas. Future directions for evaluation of cross-age teaching programs are explored. -- ***************************************************************** Jacquelyn W. McClelland, Ph.D. Professor, Department Extension Leader,and Nutrition Specialist Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences North Carolina Cooperative Extension, CALS, NC State University Campus Box 7605, 112 Ricks Hall Raleigh, NC 27695-7605 Phone: 919-515-9148 FAX: 919-515-2786 Email: jackie_mcclelland(a)ncsu.edu Department Home Page: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/dept/fcs/faculty/jmcclell.html Editor-In-Chief, The Forum for Family and Consumer Issues (FFCI) http://www.ncsu.edu/ffci/ Author: Give Your Heart a Healthy Beat! http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/food/hhb/

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Healthy and Homemade Calendars-message 2
by Martin, Peggy A [FCSXT] 10 May '10

10 May '10

If you are a fan of the annual ISU Healthy and Homemade nutrition calendar, you are sure to love the 2011 version. As you have come to expect, next year's calendar features: * easy-to-prepare recipes emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and dairy products. * Nutritional analysis and menu ideas with every recipe * English and Spanish versions * A fitness record to track daily fitness minutes and a monthly total As a new addition, we are providing the cost per serving. A new option ... When you order your calendars this year, you will be given the option to indicate the number of DVDs you will want to purchase that demonstrate the preparation of all 12 recipes from the 2011 calendar! Videos will be similar in length and format to the sample video from the 2010 calendar<http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/prepare/jicama_dip.htm>. Please note, the cost of the DVDS has been reduced since the last information you received. Each DVD will cost $4 plus shipping and handling and will be available in the ISU store in September. (we will send you an email notification) The following table provides estimated costs for various quantities; note the savings in shipping and handling costs on quantity orders. Number of DVDs Total including shipping/handling Price per DVD 1 $6.35 $6.35 5 $29.38 $5.88 10 $51.32 $5.13 20 $97.79 $4.89 50 $222.16 $4.45 500 $2200 $4.40 Early Order Calendar Cost If you order at least 100 copies of the 2011 calendar by Friday, June 18, the price is $.80 each, including drop shipping. Additional shipping charges apply to orders shipped outside the U.S. You must order by Friday June 18, 2010 to receive the early order price. For quantities of fewer than 100, or for orders placed after June 18, the cost is $ 2.00 each plus shipping. If you order 500 or more copies, your university or organization name will be added on the back cover. There will also be space on the back cover for you to add a sticker with information about your program. Calendars will be shipped starting in mid August. For more information and to place your order, visit: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/efnep/calendar Please email me, peggym(a)iastate.edu<mailto:peggym@iastate.edu> , if you have questions on the calendar content. If you have ordering or payment questions, please contact nutrical(a)iastate.edu<mailto:nutrical@iastate.edu> Peggy Peggy Ann Martin, RD. MS. State Specialist EFNEP.FNP 104 MacKay, Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011-1122 515-294-1511 Office 515-294-1040 FAX 515-290-2466 Mobile peggym(a)iastate.edu<mailto:peggym@iastate.edu> Find tips for eating well on a budget at Spend Smart.Eat Smart<http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/>

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Healthy Fundraising ideas
by Melissa Halas-Liang 30 Apr '10

30 Apr '10

Hi, I'm looking for healthy fundraising ideas. For example, a local preschool does a got oranges campaign. The kids sell different size boxes of oranges wearing orange t-shirts. Any other great ideas? Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE www.superkidsnutrition.com http://superkidsnutrition.com/wordpress/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/SuperKids-Nutrition-Inc/126685979923 http://twitter.com/fitnutrition http://www.linkedin.com/in/mhalasliang Spokesperson for the California Dietetic Association Co-President of the Los Angeles District of CDA Author of Super Baby Abigail's Lunchtime Adventure & Havoc at the Hillside Market with the Super Crew "saving the world one healthy food at a time" melissa(a)superkidsnutrition.com (T) 626 818 6299 Pacific Standard Time (F) 866 384 7439 -----Original Message----- From: sneeze_l-bounces(a)email.rutgers.edu [mailto:sneeze_l-bounces@email.rutgers.edu] On Behalf Of sneeze_l-request(a)email.rutgers.edu Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 8:56 AM To: sneeze_l(a)email.rutgers.edu Subject: Sneeze_l Digest, Vol 49, Issue 23 Send Sneeze_l mailing list submissions to sneeze_l(a)email.rutgers.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://email.rutgers.edu/mailman/listinfo/sneeze_l or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to sneeze_l-request(a)email.rutgers.edu You can reach the person managing the list at sneeze_l-owner(a)email.rutgers.edu When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Sneeze_l digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Lillian Fountain Smith conference (Anderson,Jennifer) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:56:20 -0600 From: "Anderson,Jennifer" <jela(a)cahs.colostate.edu> To: "sneeze_L(a)email.Rutgers.edu" <sneeze_L(a)email.Rutgers.edu> Subject: [Sneeze_l] Lillian Fountain Smith conference Message-ID: <6D036C17B3742442B57743A3908A366612BA0ADDAD(a)ODIN.CAHS.ColoState.EDU> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Please post to Sneeze and for fellow SNE members it would be great to see you in Colorado. Jennifer Jennifer Anderson, Ph.D., R.D. Professor and Extension Specialist Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523-1571 (970)491-7334 or -7622 Phone (970)491-7252 Fax jennifer.anderson(a)colostate.edu

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Writers Wanted
by Melissa Halas-Liang 30 Apr '10

30 Apr '10

Writers Wanted . Have writing experience or looking to gain some? . Want increased exposure and hyperlinks to your services, website or blog? . Published and interested in promoting your book? . Looking for editing experience for your next career move? . Interested in networking with RDs or nutrition professionals from across the US with similar goals to create a healthier nation? SuperKids Nutrition Inc (www.superkidsnutrition.com) is looking for writers to join our team. To find out how SuperKids Nutrition Inc can help you achieve your goals, please contact editor(a)superkidsnutrition.com. About SuperKids Nutrition Inc., was founded in August 2006 to save the world one healthy food at a timeTM. The SuperKids Nutrition team represents a diverse, nationally recognized group of Registered Dietitians and nutrition professionals who specialize in childhood, school and family nutrition. SuperKids Nutrition is recognized and listed by state board educational websites as a credible nutrition education resource providing nutrition content, parent Q and A and resources on school websites across 23 states. The SuperKids Nutrition website, books and other educational resources are available to parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals looking for tools and information on eating healthfully and raising a healthy family. To learn more, visit www.superkidsnutrition.com, http://blog.superkidsnutrition.com/, follow us on twitter @fitnutrition and become a fan of SuperKids Nutrition Inc on Facebook and email us: Contact editor(a)superkidsnutrition.com Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE www.superkidsnutrition.com http://superkidsnutrition.com/wordpress/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/SuperKids-Nutrition-Inc/126685979923 http://twitter.com/fitnutrition http://www.linkedin.com/in/mhalasliang Spokesperson for the California Dietetic Association Co-President of the Los Angeles District of CDA Author of Super Baby Abigail's Lunchtime Adventure & Havoc at the Hillside Market with the Super Crew "saving the world one healthy food at a time" melissa(a)superkidsnutrition.com (T) 626 818 6299 Pacific Standard Time (F) 866 384 7439

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Lillian Fountain Smith conference
by Anderson,Jennifer 30 Apr '10

30 Apr '10

Please post to Sneeze and for fellow SNE members it would be great to see you in Colorado. Jennifer Jennifer Anderson, Ph.D., R.D. Professor and Extension Specialist Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523-1571 (970)491-7334 or -7622 Phone (970)491-7252 Fax jennifer.anderson(a)colostate.edu

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Re: [Sneeze_l] FW: FIEN, LLC Index of Messages Distributed on Monday, April 26, 2010
by Jane Voichick 27 Apr '10

27 Apr '10

Let me echo the thanks! I worked with Cathy Woteki 25 years ago and was very impressed with her way back then. We are fortunate to have a talented friend of nutrition education so highly placed Jane Voichick On Apr 27, 2010, at 8:57 AM, Tracy Fox wrote: > Thanks Nancy for highlighting this – it is really an honor to be selected to serve as Under Secretary and SNE member Catherine Woteki is incredibly deserving! Congrats Catherine! tf > > Tracy A. Fox, MPH, RD > President, Food, Nutrition & Policy Consultants, LLC > 1214 Constitution Ave. NE > Washington, DC 20002 > w: 202-621-7697 > c: 301-922-3570 > tracyfox(a)comcast.net > Website: www.foodnutritionpolicy.com > > From: sneeze_l-bounces(a)email.rutgers.edu [mailto:sneeze_l-bounces@email.rutgers.edu] On Behalf Of Gaston, Nancy > Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 8:19 AM > To: sneeze_L(a)email.rutgers.edu > Subject: [Sneeze_l] FW: FIEN, LLC Index of Messages Distributed on Monday, April 26, 2010 > > See the below about one of our SNE members…nwg > > Nancy Gaston, MA, RD > I am retiring from Federal Service with 30+ years > After April 30, please contact me at: > ebgnwg(a)att.net > 703-281-5815 > > From: FIEN, LLC - Jack Cooper [mailto:JLC@fien.com] > Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 11:02 PM > To: 'Everyone on the FIEN Distribution Lists' > Subject: FIEN, LLC Index of Messages Distributed on Monday, April 26, 2010 > > To Everyone on the FIEN, LLC Distribution Lists: > > Here are the titles of all the articles we distributed on Monday, April 26, 2010. > > You may search our archives at any time for previously distributed messages athttp://www.fien.com/search_article.php > Jack Cooper on April 26 at 11:04 pm > > Items from the Monday Federal Register were sent to you over the weekend - Jack > Government Administrative Actions > > · Catherine E. Woteki Nominated by President Obama to serve as USDA Under Secretary for Agriculture for Research, Education and Economics - She " ... currently serves as Global Director of Scientific Affairs for Mars, Inc where she manages the company’s scientific policy and research on matters of health, nutrition, and food safety. From 2002-2005, she was Dean of Agriculture and Professor of Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. Dr. Woteki served as the first [USDA] Under Secretary for Food Safety ... [and] as the [USDA] Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics ..." - She has also served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and held positions in the HHS National Center for Health Statistics, the USDA Human Nutrition Information Service and as Director of the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine - She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1974) and her B.S. in Chemistry from Mary Washington College (1969). > > end > > The above information was sent to you by Jack Cooper of the Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC (FIEN, LLC - See http://www.fien.com) a regulatory and policy e-mail update service for the agriculture and food industry - FIEN, LLC is operated as a partnership by Jack Cooper and Cindy Roberts - Jack may be reached on his cell phone at 301 384 8287 and by e-mail at JLC(a)fien.com - Cindy may be reached on her cell phone at 202 669 6951 and by e-mail at CAR(a)fien.com > * Our archive of past messages may be searched at http://www.fien.com/search_article.php > > _______________________________________________ > Sneeze_l mailing list > Sneeze_l(a)email.rutgers.edu > https://email.rutgers.edu/mailman/listinfo/sneeze_l Jane Voichick voichick(a)nutrisci.wisc.edu

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FW: FIEN, LLC Index of Messages Distributed on Monday, April 26, 2010
by Gaston, Nancy 27 Apr '10

27 Apr '10

See the below about one of our SNE members...nwg Nancy Gaston, MA, RD I am retiring from Federal Service with 30+ years After April 30, please contact me at: ebgnwg(a)att.net <mailto:ebgnwg@att.net> 703-281-5815 From: FIEN, LLC - Jack Cooper [mailto:JLC@fien.com] Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 11:02 PM To: 'Everyone on the FIEN Distribution Lists' Subject: FIEN, LLC Index of Messages Distributed on Monday, April 26, 2010 To Everyone on the FIEN, LLC Distribution Lists: Here are the titles of all the articles we distributed on Monday, April 26, 2010. You may search our archives at any time for previously distributed messages at http://www.fien.com/search_article.php Jack Cooper on April 26 at 11:04 pm Items from the Monday Federal Register were sent to you over the weekend - Jack Government Administrative Actions * Catherine E. Woteki Nominated by President Obama to serve as USDA Under Secretary for Agriculture for Research, Education and Economics - She " ... currently serves as Global Director of Scientific Affairs for Mars, Inc where she manages the company's scientific policy and research on matters of health, nutrition, and food safety. From 2002-2005, she was Dean of Agriculture and Professor of Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. Dr. Woteki served as the first [USDA] Under Secretary for Food Safety ... [and] as the [USDA] Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics ..." - She has also served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and held positions in the HHS National Center for Health Statistics, the USDA Human Nutrition Information Service and as Director of the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine - She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1974) and her B.S. in Chemistry from Mary Washington College (1969). <http://fien.com/article.php?id=13299> end The above information was sent to you by Jack Cooper of the Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC (FIEN, LLC - See http://www.fien.com) a regulatory and policy e-mail update service for the agriculture and food industry - FIEN, LLC is operated as a partnership by Jack Cooper and Cindy Roberts - Jack may be reached on his cell phone at 301 384 8287 and by e-mail at JLC(a)fien.com <mailto:JLC@fien.com> - Cindy may be reached on her cell phone at 202 669 6951 and by e-mail at CAR(a)fien.com * Our archive of past messages may be searched at http://www.fien.com/search_article.php

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DSM Register - Child obesity called national security risk
by angie.tagtow＠mac.com 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

The following article can be accessed at http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100421/BUSINESS01/4210361/Child-… It is estimated the health-related costs attributable to obesity in the US is $147 billion ($852 million for Iowa) and is anticipated to double by 2018. It is also estimated that Medicaid and Medicare pick-up the tab on almost half of those expenses (www.fightchronicdisease.org/pdfs/CostofObesityReport-FINAL.pdf) Child obesity called national security risk By PHILIP BRASHER • pbrasher(a)dmreg.com • April 21, 2010 Washington, D.C. - It's no joke, kids. That stuff you eat at school may be a national security threat. The Obama administration is trying to make the case that improving the quality of school meals and ridding schools of junk food is critical to combating child obesity and ensuring that young people are fit for possible military service. A report released by a group called Mission: Readiness says that 75 percent of all Americans ages 18 to 24 cannot join the military because they are overweight or have other disqualifying issues, such as a criminal record or inadequate education. The report said the recession has made it easier for the military to find ample recruits. But administration officials and the retired military leaders say the obesity problem poses long-term challenges when the pool of recruits shrinks. Being overweight is by far the leading medical cause for rejecting potential recruits, the report said. Nationwide, 42.5 percent of men and women in that age bracket are obese or overweight, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State rates range from a low of 33 percent in Utah to 55 percent in Kentucky. Iowa's young men and women are just under 40 percent. The average young man or woman nationally who is overweight or obese would need to lose 34 pounds to be at normal weight. The average young Iowan would have to lose 40 pounds, the report said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which subsidizes and oversees nutritional standards in schools, is pushing Congress for additional authority to help fight childhood obesity, and it seems, combat a national security threat. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, pending in the Senate, would allow the USDA to restrict what can be sold in school vending machines, as well as cafeterias, and subsidize improvements in the nutritional quality of meals. Both of Iowa's senators, Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley, sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee, which passed the bill unanimously and sent it to the full Senate for a vote later this year. "When it comes to what our kids eat at school, we need to make the healthy choice, the easy choice," Harkin said after the committee vote. "This is an important step towards preventing the rising epidemic of childhood obesity and helping kids learn early on about the importance of healthy eating." Iowa schools are already imposing many of the nutritional changes the legislation would impose, such as eliminating sugar and fatty foods from cafeterias. But school officials say budgets are tight and extra money is needed for food, refrigeration capacity and other equipment. The School Nutrition Association, which represents the school officials responsible for school meals, wants more funding from Congress and welcomed the military leaders' support for the legislation. Schools would get a financial incentive to adopt the new nutrition standards that the Senate bill requires - an additional 6 cents per meal added to their federal reimbursement rate. Current reimbursement rates, which give schools $2.68 for each lunch they serve, have not changed since 1973, except for inflation adjustment, and schools have long complained that they are insufficient. Iowa school officials have also said they also worry high school kids could simply leave campus to buy unhealthy snacks. Calling obesity a national security issue adds a twist to the current debate over childhood weight, but military needs have played a role in changing government nutrition policy before. The poor nutrition of military recruits during World War II led the government to push millers to fortify wheat flour. In 1946, the military was instrumental in passage of the original National School Lunch Act as a way of improving child nutrition. The Institute of Medicine, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, recommended in a 2009 study that schools reduce the sodium and saturated fat in meals and offer kids more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. James Barnett, a retired Navy admiral, called obesity a "massive problem" and said there was no single solution to it. But he said nutrition standards in schools need to improve because that's where some kids get up to 40 percent of their nutrition. Mission: Readiness is supported by a variety of foundations and other groups, including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Angie Tagtow, MS, RD, LD Environmental Nutrition Solutions An ecological approach to food and health 13464 NE 46th Street Elkhart, Iowa 50073 515.367.5200 angie.tagtow(a)mac.com www.environmentalnutritionsolutions.com 2008-2009 Food & Society Policy Fellow Managing Editor Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/WHEN

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Sneeze_l April 2010