[January 25, 2012] – Finally, after 15 years of high sodium, minimum fruit and vegetables and an overwhelming amount of calorie consumption throughout our nation’s schools, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack seek change. Change that the American Heart Association (AHA) will seek as well, through education campaigns to get all Americans involved in reducing and preventing obesity as well as our states childhood hunger.
Today, the USDA released new nutritional standards for school meals that will result in a healthier menu. Changes include: cutting down sodium consumption, limiting calories and offering students a wider variety and larger portions of fruits and vegetables.
The American Heart Association is in support of the new standards, and has additional challenges on its plate to revamp Iowa’s future.
"Improving our country's nutrition guidelines is a great first step to improving our children's hot lunches, but we still have a long way to go," explains Rep. Janet Petersen of Des Moines. "One in five children in our state do not get enough to eat at home. Nearly 30 percent of Iowa's school-age children are eligible for free and reduced lunch, and almost one in every three children in our country is obese or overweight.”
The American Heart Association is now escalating its efforts to work with the American Diabetes Association and other partners to help expand the Farm to School Program that provides local fruits and vegetables to schools throughout the state. Specifically, the AHA is pushing for lawmakers to increase the amount of healthier menu options in schools statewide.
This campaign is intended to empower students, teachers, schools and communities to begin working together to make this state a nation leader in solving the problems of childhood obesity and hunger.
“This is a great first step in the fight against childhood obesity and hunger,” explains Stacy Frelund, Government Relations Director at the American Heart Association. “We will continue to work on policies that will make an impact of the health of our children and Iowa’s future.”
The nation has made a lot of progress is regards to the new requirement of limiting calories in hopes to reduce obesity. And now we need the cooperation of schools and legislators to reach the Governor Branstad’s goal to become the healthiest state.
“I am hopeful that this will inspire Iowans to get involved with solving our state's childhood hunger and obesity epidemic. We have got to pay closer attention to how we feed our future," said Petersen.
Iowa’s future should be what is on our plates.
Contact: Alexson Calahan
Alexson.calahan@heart.org
515-246-4581
