WASHINGTON, October 20, 2009 - As childhood obesity rates in the United States steadily increase, it’s critical that the current standards for school meals better reflect children’s nutrition and health needs.  With an estimated 20 percent of our nation’s youth expected to be obese by 2010, we are facing an epidemic that’s showing no signs of slowing down. That’s why we must insist that schools provide improved nutrition to help our kids reduce their chances of developing obesity-related illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes -- risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association strongly supports the recommendations from the just released Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children to redefine the nutrition standards for foods sold in school breakfast and lunch programs. The report addresses several key areas we advocate for on the federal, state and local levels and is supported by the association’s Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations which includes increasing the amount and variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; setting a minimum and maximum level of calories; and focusing more on reducing saturated fat and sodium. 

The association is pleased that IOM’s recommendations have been provided to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an effort to improve the nutrition environment in our nation’s schools.  We are advocating strongly for quick implementation of these standards within Child Nutrition Reauthorization along with the passage of the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act to strengthen nutritional standards for drinks and snacks foods sold in school vending machines and school stores.  There have been recent impressive reductions in access to high sugar beverages but more needs to be done. We continue to work with states to pass and implement effective local wellness policies across the country that include strong provisions for nutrition education and promotion. 

We commend IOM for their work to review and assess the nutritional needs of our children and look forward to working with the USDA to help execute these recommendations to improve school nutrition and help children form lifelong, healthy habits.

For more information, visit www.americanheart.org/obesitypolicy.

Contact: Kanika Lewis
                Communicatons Manager
                (202) 785-7935

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