The Problem: Hungry, Poorly Nourished Children in Our Schools and Communities

Children of today are at increased risk of chronic disease and defective cognitive development due to poor eating habits and inactivity. Nationwide, 20% of all youth are overweight and nearly half of all youth aged 12-21 years are inactive.

Just the Facts

Nutrition and School Performance

Studies report a strong association between hunger and lack of attentiveness and poor performance on standardized tests.
Results state under-nutrition and lack of environmental stimulation can permanently retard physical growth, brain development, and cognitive functioning.

Nutrition and Student Health

Over 20% of all children are overweight.
40% of African American and 45% of Latino 9-14 year olds are overweight.
Increasing poor nutrition and inactivity puts children at greater risk of developing "adult diseases" such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
9-14 year olds eat few fruits, vegetables and dairy products and frequently use fast foods high in fat, sugar and low in nutrients.
Many youth skip meals, especially breakfast.
90% of California students shop for food for their families.
85% of youth prepare their own food, usually with inexpensive quick- to-prepare, high-fat, high-sodium, high-sugar, prepackaged ingredients.

…As a RESULT

Children with Poor Nutrition are at Greater Risk of Poor Health and School Performance.

Poor dietary habits contribute to inadequate cognitive development and school performance. Tufts University reported a strong association between hunger and lack of attentiveness and poor performance on standardized tests. Results also indicated that under-nutrition and a lack of environmental stimulation could permanently retard physical growth, brain development, and cognitive functioning. Further research demonstrated the long-term effects of poor nutrition and living circumstances are reversible with adequate food intake and environmental support.

Children Have Limited Access to Nutritious Food and are at Increased Risk of Pesticide Exposure.

Shopping can be limited by lack of fresh, good quality food, especially fruits and vegetables. When neighborhood markets are accessible, food quality may be poor and frequently there are no choices between traditionally and organically grown foods. The risk of increasing pesticide exposure can pose new problems of toxicity especially among children. Consumer Reports found that children who eat just a single serving of non-organic fruits and vegetables exceed the safe daily limit of certain pesticides.

When Poverty is Included the Problem Becomes Chronic.

In many low-income communities, problems resulting from poor food choices are exacerbated by limited access to fresh foods and safe areas to play. Rates of hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity are highest among low-income families and youth. Although there may be adults and community leaders that tell students and families what they should do, few show them how to do it. The fast food high fat, inactive lifestyle is passed from parents, down through the generations, undermining the health of our most vulnerable youth.