Food Stamps and Hunger
Why should afterschool programs care about food stamp outreach?
A growing body of research demonstrates a strong connection between good nutrition and academic achievement. California’s publicly funded afterschool programs are targeted at low-income schools, where more families have a tough time making ends meet and being able to afford enough of the right kinds of food for their families. When kids don’t get enough to eat or don’t get a nutritionally balanced diet, their academic achievement suffers.1
On top of that, there is a link between poverty and obesity. Healthier diets are beyond the reach of many people because they cost more. On a per calorie basis, diets composed of whole grains, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits are more expensive than refined grains, added sugars and added fats. Attempting to reduce food spending tends to drive families toward more refined grains, added sugars and added fats that are more affordable. These energy-dense foods not only provide more calories per unit weight, but can provide more empty calories per unit cost. These include French fries, soft drinks, candy, cookies, deep-fried meats and other fatty, sugary and salty items. Past studies indicate that energy-dense foods may fail to trigger physiological satiety mechanisms—internal signals that enough food has been consumed. And failed signals lead to overeating and overweight.2
Access to healthier diets can be sharply limited in low-income neighborhoods simply because there are more fast food restaurants, fewer grocery stores and farmers markets. Add to that the often unsafe neighborhoods in low-income areas that don’t offer safe walking and play places. This puts low-income kids at a higher risk of developing the diseases and medical conditions associated with overweight and obesity—type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure), asthma, liver disease, joint problems, sleep apnea–as well as depression and anxiety.3 And overweight and obese children and adolescents are more likely to become overweight and obese adults who face the increased risk for all the medical problems above plus coronary heart disease, strokes, certain types of cancer, kidney disease, and art.4 Read More.
Footnotes
Why should afterschool programs care about food stamp outreach?
A growing body of research demonstrates a strong connection between good nutrition and academic achievement. California’s publicly funded afterschool programs are targeted at low-income schools, where more families have a tough time making ends meet and being able to afford enough of the right kinds of food for their families. When kids don’t get enough to eat or don’t get a nutritionally balanced diet, their academic achievement suffers.1
On top of that, there is a link between poverty and obesity. Healthier diets are beyond the reach of many people because they cost more. On a per calorie basis, diets composed of whole grains, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits are more expensive than refined grains, added sugars and added fats. Attempting to reduce food spending tends to drive families toward more refined grains, added sugars and added fats that are more affordable. These energy-dense foods not only provide more calories per unit weight, but can provide more empty calories per unit cost. These include French fries, soft drinks, candy, cookies, deep-fried meats and other fatty, sugary and salty items. Past studies indicate that energy-dense foods may fail to trigger physiological satiety mechanisms—internal signals that enough food has been consumed. And failed signals lead to overeating and overweight.2
Access to healthier diets can be sharply limited in low-income neighborhoods simply because there are more fast food restaurants, fewer grocery stores and farmers markets. Add to that the often unsafe neighborhoods in low-income areas that don’t offer safe walking and play places. This puts low-income kids at a higher risk of developing the diseases and medical conditions associated with overweight and obesity—type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure), asthma, liver disease, joint problems, sleep apnea–as well as depression and anxiety.3 And overweight and obese children and adolescents are more likely to become overweight and obese adults who face the increased risk for all the medical problems above plus coronary heart disease, strokes, certain types of cancer, kidney disease, and art.4 Read More.
Footnotes
- Student Wellness: A Healthy Food and Physical Activity Policy Resource Guide. Developed by California Project LEAN in collaboration with the California School Boards Association. http://www.californiaprojectlean.org/resourcelibrary/default.asp
- University of Washington (2004, January 5). Researcher Links Rising Tide of Obesity to Food Prices. Science Daily. Retrieved November 2, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040105071229.htm
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Child Overweight Consequences. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/childhood/consequences.htm. (accessed 10/27/2008)
- F as in Fat: 2008, How Obesity Policies are Failing in America. Trust for America’s Health. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Pp. 26-27. http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2008
