Institute of Medicine Recommends New Nutritional Requirements for School Meals Programs

WASHINGTON (Oct. 20, 2009) A new report from the Institute of Medicine recommends The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program adopt a new set of nutrient targets and standards for menu planning. The targets and standards would update and improve the programs' abilities to meet children's nutritional needs and foster healthy eating habits.

According to a press release issued today, “The report's recommendations will bring school meals in line with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Dietary Reference Intakes.  They will limit sodium and the maximum number of calories, and encourage children to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  The programs' current nutrition standards and meal requirements are based on the 1995 Dietary Guidelines and the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances.”

"The programs that nourish so many American schoolchildren need to reflect the latest child health and nutrition science given the extent to which dietary habits shape lifelong health," said committee chair Virginia A. Stallings, Jean A. Cortner Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  "Since the school meal programs were last updated, we've gained greater understanding of children's nutritional needs and the dietary factors that contribute to obesity, heart disease, and other chronic health problems.  The changes recommended in this report are needed to assure parents that schools are providing healthful, satisfying meals."

For more information,click here.

Copies of SCHOOL MEALS: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN

are available from the National Academies Press; tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242 or on the Internet at HTTP://WWW.NAP.EDU.  Additional information can be found at HTTP://WWW.IOM.EDU/SCHOOLMEALS.