Both organizations and individuals are encouraged to sign this resolution, but organizational signatures carry more weight when we are attempting to push an issue at the General Assembly. If you are affiliated with an organization, please consider having your organization sign this resolution AND please forward to your boards, staff and members as well as other organizations which might have an interest in this issue. Please do not wait to act. Click the link right now and join the movement for healthier food in schools.

Here's the resolution:

Nutrition Standards Resolution

Resolution in Support of Establishing Science-Based Nutrition Standards for ALL Foods Sold in North Carolina Schools

WHEREAS, in July 2009 the Trust for America’s Health ranked NC as the 12th most obese state in the nation for adults and the 14th most overweight and obese state for children1 ; and

WHEREAS, 33.5% of NC children aged 10-17 are overweight or obese, compared to 31.6% nationally2 ; and research shows that children who are overweight or obese have a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese as adults3 ; and

WHEREAS, a continued increase in childhood obesity will cause the current generation of children to be the first generation in American history to have a shorter lifespan than their parents4 ; and

WHEREAS, individuals who are obese have annual medical costs 37.4% higher than their healthy weight counterparts, representing an additional $732 per obese person, per year5 ; and

WHEREAS, the average overweight NC child will accrue $28,619 in direct medical expenses by the midpoint of his/her career and over $250,000 in direct health care costs by his/her retirement6 ; and

WHEREAS, balanced nutrition plays a critical role in achieving good health by helping to maintain a healthy body weight and prevent chronic disease 7; and

WHEREAS, studies show that children consume up to 47% of their total daily calories from meals and snacks at school including food from all sources, such as à la carte, vending machines, school stores and school lunches8 ; and

WHEREAS, a student’s dietary habits are influenced by the food environment of their schools9 and studies show that limiting access to low-nutrient, energy-dense foods to children at school can lower daily caloric intake and assist in controlling their weight10 ; and

WHEREAS, in addition to cafeterias, nearly all schools offer competitive foods including à la carte items, vending machines or school stores at which children have access to food11 . A recent national study found that 40% of students consumed one or more competitive foods on a typical school day; the most popular foods included juice drinks, cookies/cakes/brownies, chips, candy and carbonated sodas12 . In line with this trend, the most common competitive foods sold on NC school campuses are high in fat, calories and low in nutritional value; and

WHEREAS, the lunches and breakfasts provided as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) are currently required to meet federal nutrition standards. However, state nutrition standards are incomplete and weaker than current science-based nutrition standards that govern the sale of competitive foods and beverages sold in schools including, but not limited to, à la carte items, vending, schools stores, fundraisers and other venues available to students during the school day;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the undersigned believe that all children should have access to healthy foods that promote their health and learning while at school, and therefore endorses that ALL foods available in North Carolina schools be guided by a set of mandatory nutrition standards that are based on sound nutritional science.