Los Angeles, CA School Board Resolution on Obesity Prevention

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 10/28/03 
Vote: In Favor - 6 Opposed - 0 Absent - 0
Source File:
Text:
Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District is committed to providing an environment in which students can make healthful food choices for lifelong health;
Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared that obesity is the fastest growing health threat in the United States, with obesity nearing tobacco as the number one health threat, and according to the 2002 Los Angeles County Health Survey, 55% of Los Angeles County’s adult population are overweight or obese;
Whereas, Today’s children and youth have poor dietary habits and lack sufficient physical activity resulting in high percentages of overweight children, in the past 30 years the percentages has tripled in the United States, with Latino and African American children disproportionately affected;
Whereas, The California Department of Education reported in 2002 that approximately 40% of 5th, 7th and 9th graders in Los Angeles County are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight and face an
increased risk of chronic diseases such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, as well as social stigma and depression;
Whereas, Research has found a clear connection between good nutrition and student achievement, and schools that have implemented healthy food programs report fewer behavioral problems;
Whereas, Increased participation in the District School Breakfast and Lunch programs provide both a nutritional benefit to children as well as a positive revenue benefit to the District; and
Whereas, In order to respond to the current obesity epidemic effectively, the District must improve in the areas of nutrition, physical fitness, and nutrition education, now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles:
1) Effective July 1, 2004, the only food, excluding beverages, authorized for sale at the District outside the Federal School Meal Program (including but not limited to the Student Store, Vending Machines, a la carte sales, and fundraising) before, during, and until one half hour after the end of the school day at all sites accessible to students shall meet the following nutrient standards:
a. No more than 35% of total calories from fat (not including nuts, seeds);
b. No more than 10% of total calories from saturated fat, including trans fat;
c. No more than 35% added sugar by weight (not including fruits and vegetables when used as
additives);
d. No more than 600 mg of sodium per serving;
2) Adopts the following serving portion sizes for all foods, excluding beverages, not included within the Federal School Meal Program, effective July 1, 2004:
a. Snacks and Sweets (Including, but not limited to chips, crackers, popcorn, cereal, trail mix, nuts
seeds, dried fruit, jerky): 1.5 oz
b. Cookies/cereal bars: 2 oz
c. Bakery Items (e.g. pastries, muffins): 3 oz
d. Frozen desserts, ice cream: 3 oz
e. Other entree items and side dishes (including, but not limited to, french fries and onion
rings) shall be no larger than the portions of those foods served as part of the Federal School
Meal Program.
3) Directs the Superintendent to appoint a representative from the Division of Food Services to
participate in the Los Angeles School Lunch Nutritional Review Panel;
4) Directs the Superintendent to provide at least one vegetarian option that includes a vegetable
or fruit component in addition to the salad bar as one of the 11 options served daily in the cafeteria;
5) Directs the Superintendent to increase the variety, visibility, and accessibility of fresh fruit
and vegetables at school sites through facility design, the creation of a site plan, and programs such as the Farm-to-Cafeteria Projects, and report such plan to the Board;
6) Directs the Superintendent to identify steps to increase the number of middle and secondary
students selecting a full, complete meal each day with all offered meal components, including fresh
fruits and vegetables;
7) Directs the Superintendent to undertake a pilot program offering a la carte soy milk options at 5
schools;
8) Directs the Superintendent to develop a strategic plan for implementation of a point of sales
computerized payment system at all schools within 6 years and to address relevant connectivity
issues where necessary within the next 5 years;
9) Directs the Superintendent to provide a vegetable and fruit bar, where facilities permit, at all high schools within 2 years, at all middle schools within 4 years, and at all elementary schools within 6 years;
10) Directs the Superintendent to offer the second chance breakfast at all elementary, middle and high
schools within 2 years;
11) Directs the Superintendent to improve and broaden nutrition education and nutrition education
materials within the K-12, adult and parent, public health education programs of the District.
12) Sets as policy the concept that cafeterias should be places of learning and therefore should
provide informational posters and nutrition and nutrient information about all items served in
cafeterias, and directs the Superintendent to coordinate the efforts of the Division of Food Services
with nutritional education curriculum;
13) Directs the Superintendent to encourage all Charter School applicants to adhere to these
nutrition guidelines as well as those previously adopted in the Healthy Beverage Resolution;
14) Directs the Superintendent to develop a Food Service outreach plan to facilitate regular community
input and participation in the District Food Service Program;
15) Directs the Superintendent to create an enforcement mechanism for vending and student
body sales in consultation with Local District Superintendents, the Chief Operating Officer, and
the Inspector General;
16) Directs the Superintendent to develop guidelines to eliminate within 3 years District
contracts and relationships with branded fast-food products (defined as companies primarily
marketing high-fat, high calorie and high-sugar foods);
17) Directs the Superintendent to provide information on alternative fundraising methods to schools to
mitigate potential impacts of new nutrition regulations;
18) Directs the Superintendent to fund a central Physical Education Advisor position within the
Instructional Support Services Division and to develop instructional guides for Physical
Education.
19) Directs the Superintendent to work with non-profit organizations such as the American
Diabetes Association on education programs to be offered at school sites teaching children healthy
eating and lifestyle habits.
20) That a semi-annual report be presented to the School Safety, Health and Human Services
Committee on this plan, its progress, related physical fitness activities as well as equal access to the opportunities mentioned in the motion.
Category:California
Category:Food-Related Policies
Category:Health
Category:Resolutions
Category:School Districts