Missoula Healthy Kids Report 2010
NUTRITION |
DRAFT |
- How are we doing
- Indicator
- Additional information - CATCH program; chronic diseases associated with poor nutrition; barriers to good nutrition
Why this topic
Good nutrition provided by a well-balanced diet is essential not only for sustenance, but for physical, emotional, and mental health. Unhealthy eating habits contribute substantially to the burden of preventable illness and premature death in the U.S. High saturated fat consumption is linked to five of the ten leading causes of death. MT BFRSS, 1996 Inappropriate weight gain or loss reduces quality of life and can increase medical costs. Skipping meals can reduce mental acuity. Fad diets can cause an imbalance of vitamins and minerals.
Diabetes, childhood obesity, anorexia / bulimia, and growing up in poverty are all circumstances that are effected by, or affect, good nutrition.
Levels of nutrition are often related to education and socioeconomic factors---the less education and income someone has, the poorer their nutrition may be.
Parents who understand the value of proper nutrition and provide healthy meals and snacks for their children are crucial. Schools that provide healthy options for lunches and snacks are very important. If they can augment and support each other, our kids will develop healthy eating habits to last a lifetime.
How are we doing
A healthy diet consists of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, is high in fiber and low in sugar and saturated fats. Following national trends, Montanans are getting heavier. We consume vast quantities of soda, coffee, sodium, sugar, and fat-laden foods. To make matters worse, many people don’t even recognize the components of a healthy diet, and many of the undernourished are overweight. While many of us overfeed ourselves, other members of our community don’t have enough food. Under such circumstances, a healthy diet is unlikely, and it is most often children who suffer the consequences.
Indicator
Healthy People 2010
Goals
The percent of people who eat at least 2 daily servings of fruit:
Baseline 2000 – 28%
Target – 75%
The percent of people who eat at least 3 daily servings of vegetables:
Baseline 2000 – 3% Target – 50%
The US Dept of Health and
Human Services sponsors the
Healthy People
objectives,
a science-based, 10-year national plan for improving the health of all
Americans.
For Additional Data and Information important for evaluating this topic, click here.
- CATCH program - in Missoula
- Barriers to good nutrition - obstacles we need to overcome to improve this measure.
- Chronic diseases associated with poor nutrition
