Four Proven Results of a Focus on Food (Continued)
3. Willingness to Consume Healthy Food Beyond serving healthier food, it is important to teach our students where their food comes from, how to prepare it, and the importance of a sustainable healthy lifestyle, now and into adulthood. The Health Policy Institute reports a striking pattern for adolescents. Obese children ages 12 to 17 are 70-80% likely to remain obese into adulthood. 5 This is a pattern we can help break by changing simple food behaviors. The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior assessed the effectiveness of farm-to-school programs in Wisconsin. The study found that 3rd to 5th-grade students participating in farm-to-school activities had better attitudes toward and greater willingness to try fruits and vegetables. These students also demonstrated greater knowledge related to nutrition and agriculture. 6 Yet another study from the Journal of School Health found that school gardens increased academic performance and dietary outcomes in students. The report assessed 16 separate studies on the effect of school gardens on academic and dietary outcomes, and every single one showed an increase in students’ eating or likely to eat more fruits and vegetables. 7 4. Manage and Improve Behavior Challenges The way we make food has changed. Our food has more sugar, processed materials, and preservatives than ever before. When a student’s body reacts to a food containing these chemicals, it produces cytokines.
Carmel High School, Carmel, IN
The result is inflammation in the brain that can lead to meltdowns, irritability, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and more. 8 We’ve all heard jokes about kids getting hyped up on sugar. It’s no longer funny when it’s impacting your classroom - and their future. Consuming sugary snacks or drinks can cause a sudden increase in blood sugar levels, which can then lead to an adrenaline release. Educators can attest that this pattern is clearly not helpful in creating cohesion and discovery in a classroom. Further studies have shown that artificial food coloring and preservatives may make it harder for children to focus and stay on task. It also contributes to hyperactivity and impulsivity. 9 The patterns are all around us. We have the opportunity to create new pathways for our students to discover an environment designed to help them succeed in every area of their lives.
5. HEATH POLICY INSTITUTE 6. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 7. JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH
8. BRAIN BALANCE 9. RAISE THE ALLERGY CHEF
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