Nutrition Research Paper

profiletany3
NutritionResearchPaperWithcomment.docx

Abstract Comment by Tim Cameron: Will you be adding the title page before this? Comment by Tim Cameron:

Introduction

Children require different types of diets as they grow up. Every stage of development requires a specific type of diet to enhances growth and general well-being. This is why the federal government has set up rules and regulations and governs to school lunches in the United States. The government introduces updated National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (NSLP) in 2012 to cut down sugar, sodium and fat intake in the schools. The program included introduction of fruits, whole grains and vegetables every day. Statistics shows that nearly one third of children and adolescents in the country are obese and overweight. Poor nutrition in school lunches also increases chances of developing chronic diseases such as kidney stones, heart diseases and diabetes (Schuna, 2017). Healthy nutrition among children and adolescents enhances memory development, social skills and fine motor skills. Nutritionally sound diets in children and preadolescents plays very important roles in preparing them to (for) a healthier future. It is therefore the responsibility of the government to ensure school lunches are free of excess sugar, salt and fats.

There a strong relationship between nutrition and brain development. High intake of poor diet during the earlier years in children leads to anxiety and depression in later years. It also increases emotional and behavioral problems. However, healthy diets such as vegetables, whole grains and fruits prevent children’s risk to for depression in later years. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA, 2018), whole grains contains vitamins B, fiber and minerals that helps kids in school to concentrate in class. The government through the USDA started offering whole-grain rich food in school lunches after the enactment of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2012. The problem now is that these rules have been relaxed and children and adolescents are back consuming sugary foods. Also most schools do not adhere to NLSP program expectations.

You need a Population Concerns section

Methods This should be Nutrition Relation Topics – what areas of your research are related to nutrition?

Next should be Nutrition Interventions – what studies were conducted?

The research methodology used in this nutrition research paper involved systematic reviews of various sources involving children, preadolescents and nutrition. Most of these studies were obtained from government agency databases such as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), NHANES and other nutrition databases. The research studies reviewed were majorly conducted through Cross-sectional surveys, surveillance surveys and experimental designs. Data were obtained through admission of questionnaires and interviews. Statistical tools such as regression analysis were used in analyzing the data.

Research Findings This should be Nutrition Outcomes – results from the studies discussed in nutrition interventions

A study conducted by Edward, Mauch&Winkelman, (2011) indicated that there was a strong relationship between physical fitness, nutrition and improved academic behavior. The experimental design used in the study required students to undergo risk behavior survey where their fitness was assessed. The results showed that physical fitness positively linked students to academic success?. Therefore, the study supported the move by the U.S. government to introduce regulated sodium, sugar and fat intake in schools.

It was also found that children and preadolescents consumed salt and sugar that exceeded the required limit. The results from the study conducted by O’Neil et al. (2011) indicated that children aged 2-5 years were the highest consumers of 100% fruit juice at 71.1 percent followed with those in 6-12 years bracket at 57 percent. The adolescents (13-18) were the lowest consumers of 100% Fruit juice. High consumption of the fruit juice has been associated with improved nutrition. 100% fruit juices contains vital nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, Mg and K(16) that are key in children dietary.

The results from the research review also indicated that carbonated beverages contained sugars that increased likelihood of children developing obesity and other lifestyle disease. In the study by Collins et al. (2010), 5033 boys and 4400 girls participated in the study. The waist circumference of the participants was measured intake of carbonated beverages. The findings indicated 12.7% boys and 27% girls were obese. Therefore, the study confirmed the fact that sugary foods are not fit for school going children since it increased causes obesity and overweight.

Parents and other concerned parties have the mandate to regulate and carefully select what their children consume every day. This is because most industry products that contain nutrition symbols do not actually (regulate what a child eats?)do so. A study conducted by Colby et al. (2010) on 56900 items showed that 48% of products has were marketing nutrition that were was highly saturated with salts and sugars. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that industry symbols of nutrition would help in choosing the most appropriate diet. To alleviate from this problem, parents and authorities should stick to unprocessed food such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains for a healthy diet in children and preadolescents.

Systematic review indicates that overconsumption of sugars, fat and salt among preadolescents and children leads to adverse health conditions in later years. Intake of food with high fat content has been strongly associated with increased cardiovascular diseases, obesity and overweight. Overconsumption of salt; more than 6g a day causes high blood pressure which raises the likelihood of one developing heart related diseases and stroke. High sugar on the other hand causes metabolic abnormalities, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. A cross-sectional study conducted by Kim & Chang, (2011) linked high sugar consumption to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in school going children. Results from the study showed that children with hyperactive disorder were impulsive and inattentive in class. The condition was 9 times more adverse in boys than girls. This proves that sugar in school lunches were inappropriate and should be regulated.

Conclusion

As discussed, healthy diet in children and preadolescents is crucial to mental development and physical well-being. Healthy diet such as vegetables, fruits and whole grain are instrumental in having children evade evading children from complications in later years. The program initiated by the U.S. government to regulate intake of sugar, salt and fat in schools is one of the best strategies toward ensuring that young populations have obesity and overweight free lives. There are strong evidences that link sugar to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke among other chronic ailments.

References

Colby, S. E., Johnson, L., Scheett, A., &Hoverson, B. (2010). Nutrition marketing on food labels. Journal of nutrition education and behavior42(2), 92-98.

Collison, K. S., Zaidi, M. Z., Subhani, S. N., Al-Rubeaan, K., Shoukri, M., & Al-Mohanna, F. A. (2010). Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption correlates with BMI, waist circumference, and poor dietary choices in school children. BMC public health10(1), 234.

Edwards, J. U., Mauch, L., &Winkelman, M. R. (2011). Relationship of nutrition and physical activity behaviors and fitness measures to academic performance for sixth graders in a midwest city school district. Journal of School Health81(2), 65-73.

Kim, Y., & Chang, H. (2011). Correlation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and sugar consumption, quality of diet, and dietary behavior in school children. Nutrition research and practice5(3), 236-245.

O'Neil, C. E., Nicklas, T. A., Zanovec, M., &Fulgoni, V. L. (2011). Diet quality is positively associated with 100% fruit juice consumption in children and adults in the United States: NHANES 2003-2006. Nutrition journal10(1), 17.

Schuna, C. (2017). The Effects of Children Eating Unhealthy School Lunches. Retrieved from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/351827-the-effects-of-children-eating-unhealthy-school-lunches/

USDA. (2018). School Meals. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Retrieved from: https://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-serving-whole-grain-rich