LWP Nutrition Education — Wisconsin Health Atlas

Why is Nutrition Education Important?

School-based nutrition education is linked with positive outcomes for children.^1,2,3,4 These outcomes include reduced BMI¹ and improved fruit and vegetable intake,^2,3 long-term nutrition knowledge,⁴ and healthy eating attitudes.⁴ For life-long change, nutrition should be taught in all grade levels, K-12.⁴ Merging nutrition education with the greater school setting can impact children’s knowledge and diet of healthy foods.^5,6 These activities can include farm visits, taste tests, student chef competition, and more.

best practices

Click on a best practice to see model policy language.

+ There is a standards-based nutrition curriculum, health education curriculum or other curriculum that includes nutrition

The policy clearly states that the district has a nutrition curriculum.

"Implement integrated nutrition education from preschool through secondary school as a part of a sequential, comprehensive school health education curriculum designed to help students adopt healthy eating habits." -Parkview

+ All elementary students receive nutrition education

It is clear that all elementary schools receive nutrition education.

"The district supports a comprehensive curriculum approach to nutrition in kindergarten through 12th grade." -Albany
"Students, K-8, will receive a minimum of 5 nutrition lessons per year." -Racine Unified

+ All middle school students receive nutrition education

It is clear that all middle school students receive nutrition education.

"The district supports a comprehensive curriculum approach to nutrition in kindergarten through 12th grade." -Albany

+ All high school students receive nutrition education

It is clear that all high school students receive nutrition education.

"The district supports a comprehensive curriculum approach to nutrition in kindergarten through 12th grade." -Albany
"In High School, nutrition will be offered in 9th grade health, personal finance, and all physical education classes." -Royall

+ Nutrition education is linked with the school food environment

It is evident that nutrition education is integrated in the larger school environment and provides concrete ways.

"Educate students about food in the cafeteria by conducting two taste testing events per year." -Antigo
"Includes enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant participatory activities, such as contests, promotions, taste-testing, farm visits, and school gardens." -Rhinelander

+ Nutrition education teaches skills that are behavior-focused

It is clear that the nutrition education includes specific, behavior-focused skills.

"Including but not limited to planning a healthy meal, understanding and using food labels, and critically evaluating nutrition information and commercial food advertising." -Racine Unified

Resources

Mobilize for Health

School Gardens
Resources and Wisconsin examples of how to create and sustain garden-based education programs.

healthTIDE

Schools Team
Connect with a team of partners throughout Wisconsin working to make schools healthier.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Addressing the School Nutrition Environment
Information on different aspects of the nutrition environment and resources for developing a framework to improve the school environment.

Strategies for Creating Supportive School Nutrition Environments
Policy brief summarizing steps taken by public school districts around the country to improve the school nutrition environment through a multitude of avenues, including competitive food and beverage regulations and nutrition education.

USDA Team Nutrition

Nutrition Education
Collection of resources for providing nutrition education, broken down by grade levels. Also includes information on evaluating nutrition education programs.

Resource Library
Collection of resources and links for information on nutrition education topics and initiatives.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Nutrition education resources
List of nutrition education resources and links organized by grade level and topic.

REFERENCES

Silveira JAC da, Taddei JA de AC, Guerra PH, Nobre MRC. The effect of participation in school-based nutrition education interventions on body mass index: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled community trials. Prev Med (Baltim). 2013;56(3):237-243. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.01.011. 2.
Larsen AL, Liao Y, Alberts J, Huh J, Robertson T, Dunton GF. RE-AIM Analysis of a School-Based Nutrition Education Intervention in Kindergarteners. J Sch Health. 2017;87(1):36-46. doi:10.1111/josh.12466. 3.
Howerton MW, Bell BS, Dodd KW, Berrigan D, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, Nebeling L. School-based Nutrition Programs Produced a Moderate Increase in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Meta and Pooling Analyses from 7 Studies. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2007;39(4):186-196. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2007.01.010.
Puma J, Romaniello C, Crane L, Scarbro S, Belansky E, Marshall JA. Long-term Student Outcomes of the Integrated Nutrition and Physical Activity Program. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2013;45(6):635-642. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2013.05.006.
Moss A, Smith S, Null D, Long Roth S, Tragoudas U. Farm to School and Nutrition Education: Positively Affecting Elementary School-Aged Children’s Nutrition Knowledge and Consumption Behavior. Childhood Obesity. 2013;9(1):51-56. doi:10.1089/chi.2012.0056.
Langellotto GA, Gupta A. Gardening increases vegetable consumption in school-aged children: A meta-analytical synthesis. Hort Technology. 2012;22(4):430–45.