On April 25, 2007, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies released its report, “Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way toward Healthier Youth.” The report provides specific recommendations for foods and beverages that are sold outside the National School Lunch Program, i.e., foods that “compete” with school meals, or “competitive foods.” These foods are provided in a la carte lines, vending machines, snack bars, celebrations, and fundraising, and during both school and after-school hours.
The IOM Committee importantly notes that the report is a guidepost, not the law. It is intended to provide a “framework for implementation” of school wellness policies, which were mandated by the Child Nutrition and Women Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004. Nonetheless, the recommendations in the report have the potential for far-reaching influence, from local school districts, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the regulatory and legislative bodies that influence those systems.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide scientific grounding for the standards recommended by the IOM. However, the report treats competitive foods as discretionary calories, with each food judged on its individual ability to meet the 2005 Guidelines. Some criticize the IOM for inappropriately applying the Dietary Guidelines to individual foods. This is a unique application of the Dietary Guidelines, which are designed for use in building an overall healthful diet. Policymakers will likely consider these distinctions when revising federal school meal programs.
Potential for far-reaching impact
The IOM recommendations for competitive foods establish a two-tier system that provides some distinction regarding the child’s age and the context in which the food is consumed. While most foods available throughout the day for all grade levels would be held to the stricter Tier 1 standards, some flexibility would be granted for Tier 2 foods consumed by high school students during after-school activities. Few restrictions are recommended for foods and beverages served during after-school activities attended by students and fundraising events.
Consistent with the 2005 Guidelines, the standards aim to encourage fruits, nonfat and low-fat dairy, vegetables, and whole grains. Many children do not consume enough of these foods to meet their needs for critical nutrients. Also based on the 2005 Guidelines, the IOM report seeks to limit foods that are high in calories, fats, sodium, or added sugars. Beverages would be limited to water, nonfat and low-fat milk (including lactose-free), calcium-fortified soy milk, and 100 percent fruit juice.
The IOM report goes beyond the principles of the 2005 Guidelines, recommending restrictions on low-calorie sweeteners, caffeine, fortification and carbonation. The caloric content of individual foods and beverages would also be restricted.
Helping Schools and Students in the Nutrition Transition
The IOM recommendations, as well as standards that are being set in place as part of school wellness policies all over the country, are likely to touch a sensitive spot for schools, parents and students alike, as society attempts to repair the disconnects that exist between food, nutrition, physical activity and good health. It will be critical to raise awareness and knowledge regarding the rationale for achieving healthful eating goals among children. And it will be important to provide practical tips that educators can use to drive the message home. The Kidnetic.com Leader’s Guide: Healthy Eating & Active Living Ideas for Kids and Families is an ideal tool for educators in this evolving environment. The Leader’s Guide offers 13 peer-reviewed modules, appropriate for use in schools, after-school programs, or community-based health education programs (http://www.ific.org/kidnetic/leadersguide.cfm).
It is equally important to help parents in their own efforts to create a healthful home environment. To that end, the Kidnetic.com Real-Life Guide for Parents: Helping Your Kids Eat Right and Be Active offers realistic tips to help parents become good role models for their children when it comes to matters of nutrition and physical activity (http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/parentsguide.cfm).
These are just a few examples of many efforts under way across the nationwide community to help children lead more healthy lifestyles. Along with setting standards for the nutritional quality of foods to which kids have access in schools, such tools will help to encourage the integration of healthful living habits into all aspects of children’s . . . and adults’ . . . lives.
