Nutrition and Health
- The state school board chairperson has asked you (a consultant on health and wellness) to write an informative paper about the recent changes to the breakfast and lunch programs to improve nutrition and health. The content will be turned into an informative handout for parents describing the four (4) major issues: economic situation, special needs (e.g., health) of the population being served, process, and benefits of the program.
Introduction
It has come to our attention that for a child to perform well in school, it is essential for parents to feed them with balance diet. This is one of the major ways of helping children. It is clearly known that the minds of a child cannot fully be engaged in learning processes except if their bodies are well satisfied. Thus, it is essential to feed them adequately as they will be ready to learn when their bodies are well satisfied. The current changes in the breakfast and lunch programs in the schools have momentous impacts on the nutritional condition of child. It also plays an important role in fighting obesity that is known as a nationwide problem. The federal government has imposed laws on minimizing the problems that are associated with poor eating habits. This paper reviews the major issues and concerns on economic situation and health. Additionally, it presents the process and benefits of the entire program.
Economic situation
One of the major issues related to the recent changes in the school and breakfast is the entire economic situation. The fact that the government has raised 6% per meal repayment, the school has to meet these new nutrition standards (Institute of Medicine &Thomas, 1991). However, most of the districts school has issues that revenue from vending items will fall and hence reduce the entire profits. This in advance will create financial problems. Most researchers argue that schools do not incur any loss of revenue. However, after reviewing three results from nutritional policy, have found that some schools fears negative loss that are incurred from changes in foods options(Institute of Medicine &Thomas, 1991). Under this circumstance, the law has made it clear that it will offer free and affordable lunches. This in advance will benefit all children especially those from low income families. This will enable them to adopt good eating habits that will play a significant role in making them to live healthier and more industrious lives (Institute of Medicine &Thomas, 1991).
Special needs (e.g., health) of the population being served
Another issue associated with this program is the fact that low income families cannot be in a position to afford to pay the school lunch and breakfast program. Additionally, those families who tend to have kids who are vulnerable for obesity epidemic cannot also be in a position to afford the payment (Institute of Medicine, 2010). Additionally, that fact that our country has high risk of obesity epidemic, we find it necessary to change the lunch. This is because the obesity epidemic is caused by too much consumption of calorie intake. A study that was conducted by many authors in 2006 founded that large number of children with obesity were suffering from large amount of calories intake (Institute of Medicine, 2010). Additionally, poor eating habits have adverse effects on cognitive skills, behaviors, and the ability to concentrate in school. This is why the school has decided to change the breakfast and lunch programs in order to improve health among children with special needs. In relation to this, families with special needs or hectic life styles mostly depend on fast foods in order to feed their families. Thus, the parent found that it is necessary to change the lunch and breakfast programs in order to improve health among the children with special needs.
Describe the process (decisions, steps) involved in the program
Obesity is not only a national problem but also an international problem. Dealing with the root cause of the problem is the first process. Many young children are becoming overweight and obese at their young age. In order to reduce this problem, the health organizations are maintaining children to be exposed to healthy diets. Healthy diets are being emphasized in most schools where children are given unhealthy foods (Edelstein, 2006). The government has come up with rules and regulations in order to fight this issue of obesity. Most adults are obese as a result of their poor eating habits at a young age. The school lunch and breakfast program has come with nutritious food where parents are urged to make sure that children enjoy healthy food. Exercises are healthy and important in order to achieve a healthy life. Physical exercises maintain and balance the body weight which controls obesity. Exercises are not just used to control weight but have many benefits such as reducing depression and maintain the body healthy (Edelstein, 2006). They prevent the body from acquiring many other chronic diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The organization comes up with four major steps which include:
Nutrition assessment
This is where the organization collects data and information to know the most affected people by obesity problems. They get at the root cause of this obesity and identify how far the problem has affected the people.
Right diagnosis
This involves giving those suffering from obesity the right medication and treatment. Obese people are advised to practice regularly exercises (Edelstein, 2006). Nutrition guidance is provided to the patients suffering from the illness. Other people not suffering are also provided with the guidance in order to prevent this problem.
Intervention process
This involves the organization as well as the government intervening in order to solve this problem. The patients as well as other people are made aware of signs of obesity (Edelstein, 2006). This makes sure that the patient learns how to eat healthy and that all the assessment goals are being followed.
Monitoring
This process makes sure that patients are monitored in order to follow the correct treatment. It involves making sure that the assessment goals are achieved. This makes sure that the obesity problem is solved in the best way possible.
Explain the benefits of the program
The organizations are able to solve the problems in an organized and accurate manner. The care practice enables most patients get treatment at individual level at a less costly environment. The needs of patients are highly valued and maintained and decision making takings in to account the feelings of the patients Edelstein, S. (2006). The patients are well catered for and provided with healthy diets. They are given guidance and counseling on how to treat themselves even at homes. This ensures that many homes are benefiting from these health care programs by being given ways of living healthy. Most patients are encouraged on ways of finishing the correct diagnosis. The programs act as beneficial to most people suffering from obesity as well as others who want to learn those nutrition lessons.
Conclusion
Obesity is a major problem as learnt from the above discussion. Many organizations have come up in rescue of people living with this unhealthy condition. The organizations are beneficial and encouraged by the government since the cases of obesity are decreasing from the research carried out recently. Most organizations advocate for exercises. It is people’s duty and responsibilities to lead healthy lives in order to avoid such unhealthy conditions.
References
Edelstein, S. (2006). Nutrition in public health: A handbook for developing programs and services. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers
Institute of Medicine (U.S.)., & Thomas, P. R. (1991). Improving America's diet and health: From recommendations to action. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press.
Institute of Medicine (U.S.)., Stallings, V. A., Suitor, C. W., & Taylor, C. L. (2010). School meals: Building blocks for healthy children. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
