Health Services: Eat Smart
School Aged Children - Nutrition in Our Schools
Academic performance and quality of life issues are affected by the choices and availability of healthy foods in our schools.
Nationally:
- Only 2% of children (2 to 19 years) eat a healthy diet consistent with the five main recommendations from the Food Guide Pyramid.
- Additionally, approximately 30.3 percent of children (ages 6 to 11) are overweight and 15.3 percent are obese.
- For adolescents (ages 12 to 19), 30.4 percent are overweight and 15.5 percent are obese.
- Obesity is common enough among children that it is now considered an epidemic.
In Missoula:
It is clear that choices and the quality of food and beverages offered in the school settings need to be improved to support student physical growth, brain development, resistance to disease, emotional stability and ability to learn. Additionally, good health fosters increased student attendance rates as well as reduced discipline problems.
NUTRITION STANDARDS IN MISSOULA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Nutrition Wellness Subcommittee works to develop and implement nutritional standards using federal guidelines, as well as the latest research and recommendations in nutrition for school age children in Missoula. This is your chance to get involved to provide a school environment that promotes and protects children's health, well-being, and ability to learn. Meeting times vary - go to Missoula County Public Schools Public Meeting Schedule for more information.
RESEARCH
The Missoula City County Health Department is conducing several pilots and research programs designed to foster healthy eating behaviors and choices in Missoula County Public Schools. This research will assist in setting limits for foods that contribute to obesity and promoting foods that contribute to overall health.
MISSOULA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WELLNESS POLICY
- Missoula County Model School Nutrition Policy March 2006
- Health Board Recommendations for School Wellness Policies Feb. 2006
- CATCH is a best practice curriculum with a physical activity component that is being used in several Missoula schools under the sponsorship of St. Patrick Hospital.
For more information or to help out please contact:
Contacts
Health Services Director
Julie Serstad - 258-4986
jserstad@co.missoula.mt.us
Nutrition Services Supervisor
Mary Pittaway - 258-4837
mpittaway@co.missoula.mt.us
Eat Smart Coordinator
Rebecca Morley - 258-3827
rmorley@co.missoula.mt.us
CATCH Coordinator
Lisa Tims - 258-3894
ltims@co.missoula.mt.us
Please note
some documents are in "Portable Document Format" and
requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you do not have
this viewer, visit
Adobe.com.
MCCHD on Facebook
MCCHD on Twitter