Schools play a critical role in reshaping social and physical environments and providing information and practical strategies to help students adopt healthy lifestyles and prevent obesity. With more than 95 percent of young people enrolled in school, and students participating in six-hour school days, schools are the ideal setting for teaching young people about healthy nutrition and activity levels.
Because students have the opportunity to eat a large portion of their daily food intake at school, implementing a quality school meals program is one strategy schools can take to prevent childhood obesity. Engaging in National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) is a great way to start! Join schools across the country as they celebrate National School Breakfast Week March 4th-8th.
This week is a time to highlight your school’s meal program and raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating for student’s academic performance. Eating a healthy breakfast may enhance cognitive function (especially memory), increase attendance rates, reduce absenteeism, and improve psychosocial function and mood. Without a sufficient breakfast, students may experience lack of focus due to hunger. An unhealthy meal devoid of essential nutrients can similarly harm academic performance.
NSBW is one part of a coordinated school health plan. How does your local school promote healthy eating? There are numerous resources available to promote your school’s breakfast program. Try them out here!
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