National School Lunch Week October 10 – 14, 2011

"In the long view, no nation is healthier than its children, or more prosperous than its farmers." - President Harry Truman, on signing the 1946 National School Lunch Act. Through the Years The National School Lunch Program was created in 1946 when President Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law. The National School Lunch Program is a federal nutrition assistance program. Through the years, the program has expanded to include the School Breakfast Program, Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Feeding Program and the Summer Food Service Program. In 1962, Congress designated the week beginning on the second Sunday in October each year as "National School Lunch Week." The video below looks at the school lunch program from the late 1930’s to the present day and includes President Obama signing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. One can see from the photographs some of the changes in the foods provided. There is an increase in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and lowfat dairy. (Part of the video has clips from a film produced by the USDA in the mid-60s.) School Lunch Resources  Organizations, Associations, and Programs  School Nutrition Association 2011 Theme: “School Lunch – Let’s Grow Healthy”  Recognized as the authority on school nutrition, the SNA has been advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946. The School Nutrition Association is a national, nonprofit professional organization.  Mission. To advance good nutrition for all children.  National Farm to School Month Farm to School is broadly defined as any program that connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the goal of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health, nutrition education, and supporting local and regional farmers. Farm to School programs exist in all 50 states, but since Farm to School is a grassroots movement, programs are as diverse as the communities they serve. National Farm to School Month The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946. Kids Eat Right your source for scientifically-based health and nutrition information you can trust to help your child grow healthy. As a parent or caretaker you need reliable resources and you can find them here, backed by the expertise of nutrition professionals. Team Nutrition.  10 Tips Nutrition Education Series; Menu Planner for Healthy School Meals; Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Materials. Campaign launched by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to encourage and teach children, parents, and caregivers to eat healthy and be physically active every day. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ is about making America's children healthier. It's about practical suggestions that will help you motivate children and their caregivers to eat healthy and be active. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Campaign messages and materials are fun for children and informative for caregivers. Building Blocks for Fun and Healthy Meals; Fact Sheets For Healthier School Meals Choose MyPlate.  The website features practical information and tips to help Americans build healthier diets.  Let’s Move  is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active. Elmo Doesn't Fear Obama's School Lunch Elmo joins White House Chef Sam Kass in White House kitchen to talk about the importance of healthy and delicious school meals following President Obama's signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. We Can. The We Can! GO, SLOW, and WHOA Foods fact sheet (pdf) can be posted on the refrigerator or used when grocery shopping. The We Can! Parent Tips - Snack (pdf) 100 Calories or Less tip sheet can help consumers choose vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk for healthier snacks. Healthy Children  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Healthy Children - Nutrition; Food Allergies in Children Action for Healthy Kids, we believe there are ways to reduce and prevent childhood obesity and undernourishment. Learn how Action for Healthy Kids is working with schools, families and communities to help our kids learn to be healthier and be ready to learn. National Dairy Council® (NDC) Child Nutrition Fuel Up To Play 60 sponsored by National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school program that encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, along with at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Fruits and Veggies More Matters   Additional Resources   The Chefs Move to Schools program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will help chefs partner with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools’ dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices.   Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA).  Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). The legislation authorizes funding and sets policy for USDA's core child nutrition programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, opportunity to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children.   Final Rule (pdf): Cooperation in USDA Studies and Evaluations, and Full Use of Federal Funds in Nutrition Assistance Programs Nondiscretionary Provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296 (6/29/11) Priceless: School Lunch   "Priceless" launched the One Tray campaign depicting the cafeteria tray as the conduit for a reformed school food system that supports healthy children, local farms, and smart schools. The video was created by three IATP Food and Society Fellows, Shalini Kantayya, Nicole Betancourt, and Debra Eschmeyer to raise awareness for the Child Nutrition Act.   Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture stated “National School Lunch Week reminds us how important it is that our children be healthy and active, that they not go hungry, and that they have access to nutritious meals." 

October 2011 Wellness News

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is up-dated daily and includes weekly and daily events. To view the entire Newsletter online click here or subscribe to Wellness News by adding your email address to the link on the left.
 

October Monthly Events
Weekly and Daily Events can be found in the Wellness Newsletter.

 October Highlights
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 Food Day, October 24, 2011

 National Disability Employment Awareness Month

UNICEF

 Tackling Hunger Month
 Halloween Safety Month
Food Events

 Vegetarian Month  
 National Apple Month 
 National Bake and Decorate Month
 Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
 Cookbook Month
 National Caramel Month 
 National Chili Month
 National Cookie Month
 National Country Ham Month
 National Dessert Month
 National Pasta Month
 National Pickled Peppers Month
 National Pizza Month
 National Popcorn Poppin' Month
 National Pork Month 
 National Pretzel Month
 National Rice Month
 Sausage Month
 National Seafood Month
 National Spinach-Lovers Month
 Co op Awareness Month
 National Eat Better, Eat Together Month
 Celiac Disease Awareness Month
 Christmas Seal Campaign (10/1-12/31)
 Dyslexia Awareness Month 
 Emotional Wellness Month
 Global Diversity Awareness Month

 Health Literacy Month
 Learning Disability Awareness Month
 Long Term Care Planning Month 
 National Chiropractic Month
 National Dental Hygiene Month
 National Depression Education & Awareness Month
 National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
 National Liver Awareness Month
 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
 National Crime Prevention Month  
 National Cyber Security Awareness Month

 Financial Planning Month
 National Medical Librarian Month 
 National Organize Your Medical Information Month
 National Orthodontic Health Month
 National Physical Therapy Month
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
 National Work and Family Month
   Positive Attitude Month
 Talk About Prescriptions Month
 Workplace Politics Awareness Month
 World Blindness Awareness Month
 World Menopause Month
National Kitchen and Bath Month 

National Photographer Appreciation Month
National Restaurant Hospitality Month

National Animal Safety Protection Month  

September 28, 2011 National Women's Health and Fitness Day

National Women's Health and Fitness Day is the nation’s largest annual health promotion event for women of all ages. The event is always held on the last Wednesday in September.

This unique national program — with participation by local organizations throughout the U.S. — focuses attention on the importance of regular physical activity and health awareness for women.

The goal of this event is to encourage women to take control of their health: to learn the facts they need to make smart health choices, and to make time for regular physical activity.

Life's Simple Seven

Because of its grassroots nature, the event provides an excellent opportunity for local organizations to showcase the health-related programs and services they offer to women in their communities.

There are some women who are so busy caring for their families and others, they neglect to care for themselves. On this day remind the women in your life to take steps to improve their health and prevent disease.

It is important for women to get regular checkups because: screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others. Screenings and routine care can help women lower their risks of many health conditions, including heart disease. 

National Women's Health and Fitness Day is a public/private good health partnership organized by the Health Information Resource Center (HIRC), a national clearinghouse for consumer health information professionals.

locations. An estimated 100,000 women of all ages will participate in the 10th annual National Women's Health and Fitness Day at hundreds of community locations across the country.

More than 1,400 groups across the country will host women’s health and fitness events at senior centers, hospitals, health clubs, park and recreation districts, local health and service organizations, schools, retirement communities, houses of worship, and other community

American Dietetic Association Releases Findings of Nutrition and You: Trends 2011 Survey

ADA Press Release September 27, 2011

The American Dietetic Association today released the findings of its nationwide consumer opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2011. ADA's survey presents a vivid look at consumers' current knowledge and attitudes, and offers an opportunity to view two decades of trends in the ways Americans regard food, nutrition and health.

Press releases (pdfs) highlighting different aspects of the survey results can be accessed below:

• Introduction to Nutrition and You: Trends 2011
• Are You Doing All You Can?
• Where Did You Hear That?
• Are You Already Doing It?
• What Are You Eating?
• What Do You Think?
• How Important Is It to You?
• What Do You Hear?

More information on Nutrition and You: Trends 2011 can be found on ADA's website.

ADA Announces Name Change to Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Saturday, September 24, 2011

At the opening session of ADA’s 2011 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, ADA President, Sylvia A. Escott-Stump, MA, RD, LDN announced as of January 2012, ADA is changing it's name to the "Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics."

The change will not effect the website and the "eat right" logo.

 

Dietitians and Nutrition Resources on Twitter

There is so much information available on the Internet that it has becomes difficult to determine what is reliable or unreliable. I created the Dietetic, Nutrition, Food and Health Twitter lists as a resource for consumers, health care professionals, journalists and educators.

The list continues to grow and includes dietitians throughout the world, dietetic associations and practice groups, government agencies and government funded programs, health and medical associations, CEU providers, nutrition education resources, dietetic internships and student dietetic associations, consumer advocacy groups, trade associations, and food corporations.

This week (September 24 - 27) the American Dietetic Association is holding their annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in San Diego, California. You can follow the events by logging into Twitter and searching for the hash tag #FNCE.

Dietitians and Nutrition Resources on Twitter
Due to the number of resources, the entire Twitter list can be viewed at
http://dietitians-online.com/ under "Dietitians on Twitter."

The links do not constitute an endorsement and in some situations are intended to increase awareness of the food industry, government regulations, and current research in health care.

Dietitians-Online.com reviews every possible online resource to confirm registration and/or accreditation status. Each Internet page is reviewed in order to determine number of up-dates,
ease of viewing, contact information, broken links, questionable practices, and reliable information and resources. Dietitians-Online.com is not responsible for the materials presented on these links.

September 21st International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.

In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:

"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."

 

International Day of Peace 2011 website

Secretary-General's Message for
International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace, observed each year on
21 September, is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence.
This year - on its 30th anniversary - the Day's theme is
"Peace and Democracy: make your voice heard".

Follow the activities on the Global Boadcast for the

International Day of Peace

Watch live streaming video from peacedaytv at livestream.com

We are the Children of Peace

 

Dietitians- Improving the Quality of Life

This is a response to a news story aired on September 1st by Channel 10, WPLG Miami. 

WPLG.  “Most people have to head to a spa or a fitness center to get the personal services of a dietitian…, but not those who work for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Local 10 has learned command staff, secretaries and firefighters enjoy this perk at a cost of almost $100,000 in tax money” ($50,000 for dietetic services).

When did providing health care become a luxury? Firefighters put their lives on the line everyday to protect us. Due to the nature of their job, heart attacks are the number one cause of deaths among firefighters. To reduce the effects of this, firefighters are encouraged to have regular medical screenings, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet.

 

Heart attacks are the number one cause of deaths among firefighters

WPLG ... a dietitian is a “pricey perk for the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Most people have to head to a spa or a fitness center to get the personal services of a dietitian."

WPLG is obviously not aware most people will find a registered dietitian (RD) working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, the military, public schools, universities, disaster relief programs, the World Health Organization, and  government agencies, such as the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, WIC, USDA Food and Nutrition Services, the National Institute of Health, and Public Health Services.

As a registered dietitian (RD), I’ve never thought of my profession as a “Perk.” A RD is trained to assist individuals improve the quality of life and in saving lives, as illustrated by the examples below.

1. When an eight-year old child learns they have diabetes, a RD provides help in planning meals specific for that child.

2. When a premature infant is fighting for life, a RD calculates the nutritional needs and formula.
3. When a patient with cancer has lost their appetite or an elderly person can no longer chew or swallow, a RD will assist in maintaining weight and nutritional health by planning meals tolerated or recommending alternate methods of feeding.
4. When an active person suffers a heart attack or loses kidney function, a RD will develop a meal plan to help in recovery.
5. When a mother cannot feed her children, a RD will help find assistance in obtaining food.

6. When a firefighter, police officer or other occupation requires one to be in top physical health, a RD will educate, counsel, plan meals, develop recipes, encourage, and problem solve.

7. When a food or nutrition story is released with false or misleading information, a RD will provide accurate information based on research and science. 

Taxpayers

WPLG.  “Local 10 has learned command staff, secretaries and firefighters enjoy this perk at a cost of almost $100,000 in tax money” ($50,000 for dietetic services).

The cost to the taxpayer comes out to about $1.80 per month per person for dietetic services, without considering any benefits the consumer receives, such as saving people or property from fires or other emergencies and volunteering to raise money for children’s cancer care and muscular dystrophy.

The Miami Dade Fire and Rescue employees paid $75 each of their own monies to participate in the "Get Fit" challenge. All entry fees benefited the Children's Cancer Caring Center, a free cancer treatment facility. The challenge raised close to $20,000 for the Center. On September 4th  firefighters around the country were out in the community on their own personal time raising money for the MDA Telethon.

What if the dietitian loses her job based on this frivolous story. The firefighters will be without the services of a RD and the taxpayers will be paying for a person’s unemployment and other necessities. Who benefitted? Not the taxpayers, not the firefighters and not the dietitian.

How much does one have to contribute to their communities, in order for us to say thank you?

The reporter, Jeff Weinsier of WPLG failed to provide the “whole story”, leaving some taxpayers angry about the costs.  Weinsier asked to see personal records covered by HIPAA, which protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information. Weinsier should know this is a violation of the law, yet presented in his story “they denied us access.”

Health care should not be considered a "Perk" or luxury.

To learn more about the role of a registered dietitian, visit the American Dietetic Association.