COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

NUTRITION SERVICES
T H E P O S I T I O N O F T H E A DA ( T H E A C A D E M Y ) , T H E S C H O O L N U T R I T I O N
A S S O C I AT I O N ( S N A ) & T H E S O C I E T Y F O R N U T R I T I O N E D U C AT I O N ( S N E )
2014

EFFECTIVE UNTIL DECEMBER 31,

Marilyn Briggs, PhD, RD, SNS The Academy

THE POSITION

Constance G Mueller, MS, RD, SNS School Nutrition Association (SNA)

Sheila Fleischhacker, PhD, JD Society for Nutrition Education (SNE)

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association, School

Nutrition Association, and the Society for Nutrition Education
that comprehensive, integrated nutrition services in schools,
kindergarten through grade 12, are an essential component of
coordinated school health programs that will improve the
nutritional status, health and academic performance of our
nations children. Local school wellness policies may
strengthen comprehensive nutrition services in schools by
providing opportunities for multidisciplinary teams to identify
and address local school needs.

THE RATIONALE
GROW ING N E E D F O R N U T R IT ION I N T E R VENT ION O U T SI DE T H E
HOME
SC HOOL W E L L NE SS P O L I C I ES

Increased portion sizes and an increase in nutrient-poor food choices by young

children and adolescents
Lack of exercise and physical education requirements in schools
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

+ goals for nutrition education & physical activity

+ nutrition guidelines for foods sold/served in schools [no less restrictive than federal
guidelines]
+ plan to measure implementation
+ school-home partnerships

COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION SERVICES

1. NUTRITION EDUCATION AND PROMOTION

2. FOODS AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS

3. SCHOOL-HOME-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
4. HEALTH SERVICES

NUTRITION EDUCATION & PROMOTION

- Effective education requires an integrated cafeteriaclassroom approach

- An average of only 13 hours of nutrition education is

received in schools
- Inconsistent methods and lessons

- When are interventions found to be most successful

- Academy recommendations

FOODS AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS

- School nutrition programs
- NSLP: reimbursement
- Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption
- After School Snack Program increases
- Agricultural commodities
- Facilities and equipment
- Competitive foods
- RECOMMENDATIONS: wellness teams
to

+ Identify strengths and weaknesses of school nutrition program and use the findings

recommend changes

SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

- Multidisciplinary teams: parents, students, school nutrition professionals, and
school administrators
- Connect school, home and community
- Declining occurrence of the social meal
- supportive environments needed for positive changes in regards to nutritious
behaviors

HEALTH SERVICES
- School Based Health Services (SBHS):

+ beginning in the 1970s

+ 120 in 1988 grown into over 1700 in 44 states by 2009

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- WELLNESS TEAMS
- SCHOOL NUTRITION PRACTITIONERS
+ Second only to superintendents
+ Responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation
+ Ensure MNT and other nutrition related food services are provided
+ Additionally, responsible for enforcing food safety regulations

- PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL NUTRITION PRACTITIONERS

QUESTIONS?