(PCM) We all know teachers have a strong influence on the education and development of children, but new research suggests that teachers can also have a positive effect on student’s eating habits.
Adding more vegetables to the school cafeteria line isn’t enough; to improve school nutrition and actually get students to eat healthier, researchers say that parents, teachers, and administrators need to get involved. In fact, one study found that simple steps made by teachers can lead to a 30 percent reduction of unhealthy foods and drink in students’ diets.
The study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, looked at 400 students at eight California elementary and middle schools as part of a three-year study to determine the effect of a public-health approach to improve nutrition. Researchers worked with teachers and administrators to improve nutrition practices, including replacing food rewards in the classroom with non-food prizes, and healthier classroom celebrations and fund-raising. Surprisingly, the researchers found that schools actually made more money through healthy events such as jog-a-thons than carnivals with unhealthy treats.
But most importantly, there was a 30 percent decrease in the amount of unhealthy foods and beverages consumed by students at these schools, compared to a 26 percent increase at other schools.
Study lead author Karen Coleman said in a Kaiser news release:
“Schools are an ideal place for establishing lifelong healthy eating habits, but until now that’s been easier said than done. [The study] helped us understand how communities and schools could work together to get kids to eat healthier at school and help address childhood obesity.”
