A Trustee’s Journey

Dave ColburnTrustee Ward D

Edmonton Public School Board

Junk Food Definition

Junk food1,2

– Choose least or not recommended foods

– Items high in fat, sugar or salt and low in nutritive value

1Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools Revised 20072Standards for the Sale and Distribution of Food and Beverages in Red Deer Public Schools

Junk Food - Revenue

California: Linking Education, Activity & Food (LEAF) program funded with a $200,000 grant was launched in 2003– 16 middle & high schools

(9 school districts) – Promoted intake of fresh

California produce– Programs to improve fitness– ~ 2 yrs later, 81% LEAF

schools increased food sales

Junk Food - Revenue

WP Wagner (Edmonton Public high school)

– 3.5 yrs ago eliminated junk food from school menu 4 day/wk

– Initial resistance from students & ↓ revenues– In 2008 students

Endorse healthy menuRevenues exceed pre-healthy option days

Annie Gale (Jr. High in Calgary Public) & Queen Elizabeth High School (Edmonton Public) similar experiences

– Initial resistance by students & decline in revenue

– Within 1 year revenue rose & exceeded prior values

Junk Food – Public Opinion

Edmonton Sun (November, 2006) asked if readers supported ban on junk foods from all Edmonton schools– Over 1,000 respondents– 70% favoured an all out ban

A current Edmonton Public school trustee campaigned fall 2007 on platform banning sales of junk foods from Edmonton Public schools – ~2,000 voters asked “Do you

support the elimination of junk food sales?”

– Yes: 80%; No: 10%; Indifferent:10%

E-mails to Board & speakers addressing the motion to ban junk foods on night of the vote– ~75% in favour of the motion

Junk Food – Public OpinionNeil Wilkinson (Chairman of the Board for Capital health) stated– Restricting the sale of such

food items on school premises Decreases the intake of junk food by students Encourages healthy choices by schools, parents & students Sends a strong message that supports healthier food choices based on Canada’s Food Guide

Policies that create environments encouraging healthier choices in terms of nutrition and physical activity are a key strategy in addressing childhood and adult obesity

Nutrition & Academic Performance

Many studies show a direct link between nutritional intake & academic performance Participation in breakfast programs is associated with better academic test scores, improved daily attendance, & better class participation, and also reduces tardiness

Healthy eating is important– Emerging research suggests an

association between weight problems and lower academic achievement

Main reason is increased absenteeism, which has been clearly and directly linked to poorer academic performanceIt is probable that students with poor nutrition, inactivity & weight problems have higher prevalence of physical conditions & psychological and social problems that are frequent causes of absenteeism

THE LEARNING CONNECTION The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools www.ActionForHealthyKids.org

Physical Activity (PA) & Academics

Physical activity in adolescents has consistently been related to higher self esteem & lower anxiety and stress — each of which has been associated with better academic performance

Fitness is associated with better academic achievement scores– California Department of

Education compared physical fitness testing & Stanford Achievement Tests (SAT) in 900,000 5th, 7th & 9th graders

– Reading & math scores higher in students with greater fitness

THE LEARNING CONNECTION The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools www.ActionForHealthyKids.org

Physical Activity (PA) & Academics

Collectively evidence shows ↑ school PA associated with– Better academics– Higher math scores despite

less classroom time– No compromise in math &

reading standardized achievement test scores regardless of reduced academic time

Trudeau F. Int J Behav Nutrition & Phys Activity 2008;5:10:1-41

This Journey Needs a Great Ending

Healthy Active Students