Startling statistics

  Statistics illustrate the need for student nourishment programs.

• Children and adolescents who are breakfast eaters (whether school breakfast or breakfast elsewhere) are less likely to be overweight. (Rampersaud et al., 2005; Afenito et al., 2005).
  
  
• Skipping breakfast is more prevalent among girls, low-income children, older children and adolescents, and among some Black and Hispanic adolescents. (Rampersaud et al., 2005).
  
  
• Children’s brain function is diminished by short-term or periodic hunger or malnutrition caused by missing or skipping meals (Tufts University Center on Hunger, Poverty & Nutrition Policy, 1994).
  
  
• Research shows that there is a clear link between good nutrition and school performance (Papamandjaris, 2000; National Association of State Boards of Education, 2000).
  
  
• Nutrition, particularly in the short-term, is believed to impact upon individual behaviour, (e.g. concentration, activity levels). These behaviours have the potential to affect school performance and interaction with peers, and to compromise self-esteem. For example, lack of thiamin (Vitamin B) in the diet appears to have causal relationship with behavioural problems in adolescents, such as irritability, aggressive behaviour and personality changes.

   Health Statistics

• Only 14% of children between 9 and 12 years of age have four or more servings of vegetables and fruit a day (Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, 2002).
  
  
• Approximately one-third of Ontario students in Grades 4 to 8 consume soft drinks daily (Evers et al., 2001).
  
  
• Approximately 25% of Grade 6, 8 and 10 students consume candy and chocolate bars daily (King et al., 1999).
  
  
• Children in Grades 6 and 8 consumed decreasing amounts of vegetables and fruit from 1990 to 1998, with a larger decrease in raw vegetable intake (King et al., 1999).
  
  
• One quarter of reported vegetables consumed by children were French fries (King et al., 1999).
  
  
• Only children who consumed milk at lunch met their daily calcium requirements (Johnson et al., 1998).
  
  

  What does this mean for our children and youth?

• Students who do not eat breakfast daily are less likely to have an adequate diet overall, when compared to those who do have breakfast (Evers et al., 2001).
  
  
• There has been an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among boys and girls between 7 and 13 years of age, where one out of three children is considered either overweight or obese (Tremblay and Willms, 2000).
  
  
• Children who have excess weight may suffer from respiratory disorders, orthopaedic conditions, elevated blood cholesterol levels, stigmatization from peers and adults, low self-esteem, poor body image and depression (Guo and Chumlea, 1999).
  
  
• Obesity in childhood and adolescence is an independent risk factor for adult obesity and is an acknowledged precursor to several chronic diseases (Guo and Chumlea, 1999).
  
  
• The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents is increasing (American Diabetes Association, 2000).
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes has recently emerged as a major complication of childhood obesity (Rosenbloom et al, 1999).
  
  
• Today, 85% of children with type 2 diabetes are either overweight or obese at diagnosis (American Diabetes Association, 2000).

  The Good News is

• There is strong evidence that diets containing substantial and varied amounts of vegetables and fruit will prevent 20% or more of all cases of cancer (World Cancer Research Fund, 1997).
  
  
• School Nourishment Programs (SNPs) improve students’ cognitive performance and their educational achievement (American Dietetic Association et al., 2003).
  
  
• The development of food preferences in children depends on a range of biological and social factors. Therefore, interventions designed to promote healthy eating among children should address all of these factors. (Feindtein & Sorhaindo, 2006)
  
  
• An evaluation of a 12 week fruit & vegetable pilot program implemented across 10 elementary schools across Windsor/Essex showed that 80% of elementary students reported that they ate more vegetables since the program began.
  
  
• 91% of the elementary school teachers and 100% of the secondary school teachers reported that the program achieved its goal of providing fresh snack alternatives for students (Bergeron, 2005).

HOME I WHAT WE DO I FAQ I FORUM I CONTACT US I OUR DONORS



© 2006 Ontario Student Nutrition Program. All rights reserved.