Childhood Nutrition:How Can a Hungry Child be Overweight?: Childhood Nutrition: How Can a Hungry Child be Overweight? Presented by Debbie Kleeger Kids Cafe Coordinator/Nutrition Educator Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia dkleeger@secondharvest.org Federation of Virginia Food Banks


Childhood Obesity on the Rise : Childhood Obesity on the Rise 10.4% of 2-5 year olds are overweight More than double 30 years ago 15.3% of 6-11 year olds are overweight More than triple 30 years ago 14% of teenagers are overweight Almost triple 20 years ago


Overweight Children are More Likely to Become Obese Adults: Overweight Children are More Likely to Become Obese Adults Increased lifetime risk of: Coronary Heart Disease andamp; Hypertension Type 2 Diabetes Osteoarthritis Gallbladder Disease Some Cancers Overweight children often experience: Psychological Stress Poor Body Image Low Self-Esteem


Did You Know?: Did You Know? The National Institute of Health estimates the increase in child obesity will cost $99.2 billion in future health care expenses Being overweight is a bigger problem among low-income children than being underweight or suffering from growth retardation Food Insecurity has profound effects on children’s emotional, behavioral and cognitive development


Food Insecurity: Food Insecurity USDA reports that more than 35 million Americans are food insecure or are fighting hunger, including 13 million children From 2002 – 2003, Norfolk, VA experienced a 22% increase in requests for emergency food assistance, with 59% of the requests from children or parents The Federation of Virginia Food Banks distributed almost 46 million pounds in FY 2003, compared to the 38 million pounds distributed in FY 2002 During School Year 2003 – 2004, more than 370,000 children in Virginia were eligible for the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program


Why Not Make Better Food Choices?: Why Not Make Better Food Choices? Low income Limited access to grocery stores that carry healthy foods According to the USDA, from 1985 – 2000, the cost of fruits and vegetables increased 120% while the price of soft drinks, fats and sweets increased less than 50% Even if cash is available, grocery stores in low-income, minority neighborhoods are more likely to stock Twinkies than broccoli, says Matt Longjohn, MD, Executive Director of the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children.


Food Deserts: Food Deserts Impoverished urban communities that lack grocery stores but boast dozens of fast-food restaurants and corner stores filled with junk snacks This results in increased exposure to and consumption of fast-food In the past 30 years, fast-food spending has increased from $6 billion to $110 billion


How do Low-Income Families Stretch the Dollar?: How do Low-Income Families Stretch the Dollar? Maximize caloric intake by purchasing low cost, energy dense, high fat foods Purchase lower quality foods Reduce the quantity of food purchased Overeat when food is available


How does Foodbank SEVA fit in?: How does Foodbank SEVA fit in? Build Food Security Distribute more than 8.5 million pounds of food to low-income households, through our 350 partner feeding agencies, 150 daycare providers and 27 Kids Cafes Advocate for public policy on the state and federal level Educate the community on nutrition and dietary habits Educate the public on the realities and the real faces of hunger


Kids Cafe: Kids Cafe A national program of America’s Second Harvest©, The Nation’s Food Bank Network® Foodbank SEVA opened our first Kids Cafe in April 1999 Currently 27 Kids Cafes in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Franklin andamp; on the Eastern Shore More than 125,000 meals and snacks served in FY 2003-2004


Where Do We Go From Here?: Where Do We Go From Here? Add Virginia to the Expanded SFSP Paperwork Reduction Program (Lugar Pilot) Increase CACFP meal reimbursement rates to provide an adequate meal reimbursement rate nationally Redefine nutritionally at-risk areas from 50% to 40% Enact the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act (CARE Act)


How Can You Help?: How Can You Help? Sponsor nutrition education and fitness programs at a local after school program Encourage your legislators to support anti-hunger programs and take full advantage of federal nutrition assistance programs in Virginia Volunteer your time at an area Foodbank or partner agency Work to increase public awareness of the problem of hunger in the community and advocate for policies to end hunger


References: References Alich, Deb. Personal interview. 18 November 2004. Block, Jason P., Scribner, Richard A., DeSalvo, Karen B., 'Fast food, race/ethnicity, and income: A geographic analysis.' American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 12 November 2004. andlt;http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/PIIS0749379704001394/fulltextandgt;. Center on Hunger and Poverty and Food Research and Action Center. (2003). The Paradox of Hunger and Obesity in America. Waltham, MA: Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. Cunningham, Heather. 'Everything I Need to Outgrow I Learned in Childhood.' Science andamp; Spirit. 12 November 2004. andlt;http://www.science-spirit.org/articles/printerfriendly.cfm?article_id=324andgt;. Davidow, Julie. 'The Obesity Crisis: A Healthy diet often beyond the means of poor, hungry.' Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 12 November 2004. andlt;http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/190061_obesity09.htmlandgt;. Dietary guidance for healthy children ages 2 to 11 years. J Am Diet Assoc. 2004; 104:660-677 'How Can a Poor Child Be Hungry if She’s Fat?' America’s Second Harvest. 17 November 2004. andlt;http://insidesecondharvest.org/library/site_content.asp?c=559andgt;. 'Key Hunger Messages for 2004.' America’s Second Harvest. 17 November 2004. andlt;http://insidesecondharvest.org/library/site_content?c=4618andgt;. Leigh, Suzanne. 'Too Much Food, Not Too Little, Plagues U.S. Children.' America’s Second Harvest. 17 November 2004. andlt;http://insidesecondharvest.org/library/site_content.asp?c=4988andgt;. Steffens, Sara. 'Healthy habits harder in low-income areas.' Contra Costa Times. 12 November 2004. andlt;http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/living/health/9224406.htm?1candgt;. 'The United States Conference of Mayors - Sodexho, Hunger and Homelessness Survey, A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities, A 25-City Survey, December 2003.' 18 November 2004. andlt;http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/hungersurvey/2003/onlinereport/HungerAndHomelessnessReport2003.pdfandgt;.