FOR
RELEASE JULY 17, 2014
Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics Encourages Policies
that Provide Consistent Access to
Nutrient-rich Food
CHICAGO – It
may seem like a contradiction, but millions of American children are both
hungry and overweight. During Kids Eat Right Month, the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics spotlights the “hungry yet overweight paradox” and ways to ensure
children meet their nutrient requirements and maintain a healthy weight.
“Kids
Eat Right Month provides us with a valuable opportunity to shed light on one of
the most serious social and health issues related to childhood obesity – the
‘hungry yet overweight paradox’ of food insecurity that threatens the health of
the nation’s children,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy
Spokesperson Angela Lemond.
Kids
Eat Right Month focuses on the importance of healthful eating and active
lifestyles for children and families, featuring expert advice from registered
dietitian nutritionists. The Kids Eat Right initiative, created in 2010 by the
Academy and its charitable Foundation, offers resources and information for
Academy members and the public to encourage nutritious, healthful eating among
children and families.
More
than one in five kids lives in a food-insecure household, meaning their
family’s income doesn’t allow for consistent access to food. “Meanwhile, a
child can look overweight while still being hungry for nutrients because
limited income leads to a trade-off between food quantity and food quality,”
Lemond says.
“Individuals
and families experiencing food insecurity often experience periods of time when
they have full pantries, followed by periods without. When food is available,
many children eat a healthy and steady diet, though some may overeat due to
fear of lacking food in the future. When food is not available, children’s
diets may be minimal or they may have to skip meals altogether. These wide
swings in calorie consumption affect their metabolism and promote fat storage,”
Lemond says.
The
hungry-overweight paradox leads to serious, long-term health consequences.
Children who are food-insecure are more likely to have iron deficiency, asthma,
delayed cognitive development, increased stomachaches, headaches, colds and
increased fatigue. “To successfully address the hungry-overweight paradox, the Academy supports
programs and practices that combat hunger and
malnutrition, encourage food security, promote self-sufficiency, educate
consumers and health professionals, and are environmentally and economically
sustainable,” Lemond says.
“Long-term,
lasting solutions to the hungry-overweight paradox must include research,
innovative and creative initiatives that show children and adults alike the
benefits of good nutrition, and improving access to nutritious food for all
people,” she says.
Registered
dietitian nutritionists help in developing school and workplace policies,
community programs and cooking and shopping strategies for families and
individuals. “The Academy and our members are strong advocates for programs
that have been proven effective in reducing food insecurity and nourishing
children, including school meal programs and the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, or SNAP,” Lemond says.
###
All registered dietitians are nutritionists –
but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of
Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those
who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use
“registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have
identical meanings.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the
world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy
is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of
dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity
devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. It funds scholarships and
awards, public awareness and research projects and Academy strategic initiatives,
and is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of
dietetics. Visit the Academy Foundation at www.eatright.org/foundation.
