Project 4

Introduction

Nutrition is a huge aspect of a human body’s physical and mental growth process. Lack of

good nutrition leads to health problems in the future and long-term effects on the brain and heart

(Isaacs). Obesity rates in the United States are much higher than those of other countries and it

has to do with the lack of healthy habits (Liang). Not enough importance is placed on nutrition

nor is it educated and practiced enough in this country. There are many causes to put a child at a

disadvantage in the educational setting, but in this case, nutritional disparities have an impactful

role in educational achievement among urban minority youth (Basch 651).

Nutrition has one of the largest impacts on the brain and its development. Mood and

psychomotor function are commonly associated with nutrition (Isaacs). It is essential for children

to have proper nutrition in order to develop at a normal rate. Nutrition can be manipulated easily

in relation to the brain as it plays a crucial role in maintaining the brain’s function (Isaacs). It can

be argued that there are multiple factors aside from nutrition that may cause cognitive function to

be interrupted including demographics, gender, and environment (Budzynska). However,

nutrition affects one’s entire lifetime, therefore it is important to maintain it. The United States is

facing an obesity concern within the youth and this concern will affect children’s cognitive

development. By studying this correlation, we may be able to reduce obesity and increase

cognitive development. Implications of educating younger generations about nutrition and health

will pave the way for a healthier and more conscious future. It is our generation’s duty to halt the

rapidly growing epidemic of obesity in children as we expect this to be a prominent battle

Americans fight for a long time.

 Neurocognitive development influences not only cognition but also emotions and

behavior which can have detrimental effects to one’s entire lifetime (Liang, Hoyland). It is

necessary for parents to practice basic nutrition and physical activity for their children at a young

age to reduce the risk of lack of cognitive development (Liang). Cognitive development will

affect their children’s academic success and future careers. A child’s academic success can be

altered by many factors including gender, family, parent’s education level, and socioeconomic

status (Burrows). However, a child’s personal health is altered by nutrition which is the most

significant when examining a developing brain. It is inevitable our children and those belonging

to the younger generation will take on roles in our society, economy, government, and

workplace. Therefore, it is essential our children are educated and conscious of their nutritional

habits and choices to then contribute to a healthier society.

Specific Challenge Our Project Addresses

As mentioned before, obesity rates have been rising dramatically over that past couple of

years and the United States has stayed among the top obese countries. Obesity is an epidemic

that affects individuals worldwide and is greatly associated with hypertension, diabetes, and

cancers (Liang, Schanzenbach). Studies show that overweight children tend to continue to be

overweight as adults (Liang). This goes to show that rising body mass index (BMI) needs to be

resolved at a younger age, so it does not affect cognitive abilities later in life. Studies done by

Liang showed that obesity in youth is associated with poor cognitive functioning. These studies

were measured through self-reports and examining neurocognitive tasks conducted by

researchers (Liang). Furthermore, children suffering from obesity and poor cognitive functioning

are more likely to be susceptible to bullying from their peers due to differences in appearance

and mentality..
 Lack of cognitive development is a result of lack of proper nutrition. Breakfast

consumption contributes to nutrition as it is the first meal of the day and usually contains the

most micronutrients. Breakfast consumption provides the most fuel needed for the body in the

form of glucose (Hoyland). Glucose is exerted more in children because more than 50% of their

brain accounts for body oxygen consumption given by glucose (Hoyland). This study accounted

for breakfast consumption and its positive correlation with memory skills. It was not able to

further discuss cognitive development because the quality of the studies was classified as poor

(Hoyland). However, we can assume with information from other studies that breakfast

consumption most likely has a positive correlation with the increase in cognitive development.

When there is a lack of resources in schools, most likely it is due to funding deficits,

which are more likely to affect schools in higher poverty areas. Due to these funding deficits,

impoverished school districts are less likely to afford healthier alternatives for students and rely

only on the food that the budget can afford. While some fruits and vegetables may be provided

for students, mixing their portions with unhealthy options diminishes the healthy alternatives

standpoint.

Furthermore, lack of resources can be due to what parents can provide for children in

higher poverty areas. Parents are the main authorities of their children and are the deciding

factors whether they receive the nutritional care that their child may require. Parents exhibiting

eating habits that included frequent fruit and vegetable intake led to higher fruit and vegetable

consumption among their children (Musaad, Salma). A diet high in fruits and vegetables is

definitely associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease,

diabetes and so on. The consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with those who

have a higher social class (Budzynska, Katarzyna, et al.). Children are at the most susceptible
stage of their lives in which is molded heavily by their guardians that significantly influences

their future (Kuo et al.). Students transitioning into school when the family unit is under

economic and social hardships can impact how the students will perform academically,

depending on the circumstances (Crosnoe & Cooper). This is mostly true when children from

low-income families are taken into consideration because, in this case, a lack of nutrition is more

likely to be provided in low socioeconomic households which can ultimately result in poor health

and lack of cognitive development (Kuo et al.).

The Solution to the Problem

Even though school lunches are not a huge aspect of the overall weight gain they do

contribute to some extent. Research proves that students who brought food from home consumed

fewer calories than those who bought a school lunch (Schanzenbach). It is also important to

realize that there are students who qualify for free or reduced lunch in poorer areas. These

students consume more school lunches because their parents are not able to provide enough fresh

food for them. Free and reduced lunches may seem like a good solution when considering costs,

however, it adds on to the increased obesity rates in children.

Nutrition directly affects their cognitive development which is at its maximum growth

during the childhood development age period (Isaacs). Children are growing at a very fast rate

when they are young therefore, nutrition has its greatest impact then. According to Issacs,

nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining brain function (Isaacs). He states that changes caused

by nutrition in the brain are likely to be long-term, so it is essential to practice healthy habits as

soon as possible (Isaacs). These conclusions were made through the multiple studies measuring

the nutrition of different aged children.

 Many schools have been trying to aid in reducing the increase in obesity by making

school lunches healthier. A study created by Timothy Behrens showed the changes in school

food preparation relating to healthier cafeteria lunches in elementary schools. A longitudinal

study was conducted examining how schools changed their food preparation for their lunches

(Behrens). This was done through phases with each phase focusing on an aspect such as breaded

and processed foods, the increase of fresh and frozen fruits, and consultations with professional

chefs (Behrens). Results showed the increase of fresh fruits and complete elimination of bread.

These changes increased the healthiness of the school lunches (Behrens).

Betti Wiggins, executive director of the office of school nutrition at Detroit Public

Schools (DPS), also is making changes within school food policies. She wanted to transform the

DPS meal program by incorporating more fresh produce from Michigan farms. She states that

many of the children enrolled at DPS rely on free or reduced lunches, so it is essential to provide

them with the healthiest school lunches since it is what most of the children consume (A School

Food Revolution in Detroit). More than half of the DPS schools now have school gardens that

they take care of and use for their own lunches (A School Food Revolution in Detroit). This

solution was very practical and realistic to attain as the schools created gardens in their own

backyard.

Another study by Nadal and his colleagues, researched possible strategies and benefits

that rooftop gardens in educational centers could have in high density, compact cities. The

research found that educational centers already have the infrastructure in place to implement

rooftops gardens, they found that educational centers have roofs with enough strength to hold

and sustain a greenhouse (Nadal et al). In addition to the research that has shown educational

centers have the infrastructure to support an urban agriculture program, there is research that
shows how the students are impacted by an urban farming program. From the data collected, it

was shown that students who participated in these youth farming programs, were shown to

become more responsible individuals, younger students were reported by their parents to be

picking up after themselves and in older students who were asked about the effect the study had

on them they noticed that each individual is responsible to take care of their workplace and each

individual is responsible for their role in their community (Fifolt et al).

The implementation of gardens with the school meal programs have made a great impact

on students both in terms of physical and mental state. Students now receive fresh produce in

their lunches from their own gardens. They are also being taught the role of responsibility as they

participate in youth farming programs.

How the Challenge Takes Shape at UNI

When volunteering at Harms Elementary we students have noticed that healthy foods is

something that is not being given to the children during the after school program. Since that is

their main meal of the evening, it is crucial that they are getting the proper nutrients to power

their mind and body for the rest of the afterschool program and generally for their health as a

whole. The lunch given usually has unhealthy foods such as muffins and cookies included with

greasy meat items such as sausages and pepperoni pizza. There is a substantial lack of fruit and

vegetables handed out to the students and even when it is given , the children seem to take no

interest in it and indulge in the unhealthy items instead leaving the healthy snacks to be thrown

out at the end. There is no force or encouragement given to the children from the volunteers or

the other UNI helpers to eat the fruits or vegetables nor is there any type of awareness given to

the children of the benefits of eating healthy food. So the children continue their natural instinct

of eating what tastes good in their mouth instead of paying attention to what will do good for
their body. The food that is given is also packaged and is distributed from boxes showing that the

food is not fresh. Also there is no garden from where the kids can get healthy and fresh snacks

from and that is another issue when it comes to availability of healthy foods. There is also not

that much time given to the children to eat their lunch so due to that time crunch the kids may not

have enough time to digest properly because they are trying to eat everything fast, which is a

very unhealthy habit. They may also not have enough time to actually finish their meal leaving

them hungry and lacking nutrients and although this may not seem like a big deal initially,

overtime it can take a toll on a child’s health. Listed below are some examples of what the

volunteers have seen themselves in accordance to the lunch given at UNI.

Veronica observed students are not given enough time to consume their meals and digest

them properly before it’s time to clean up and start reading and do homework. They are still

children who are easily distracted, but supper time should be longer in order for them to finish

eating. Next, Camila observed supper is made up of unhealthy food and muffins that are not

nutrient dense. I saw a girl with 4 muffins instead of eating the other food. Further, Saran

observed supper are usually cold and not fresh with only 2-3 foods given on each plate. Limited

fruits and vegetables are provided. Moreover, John observed supper is exposed to unsanitary

conditions in the form of insects flying around the food and coming in contact with them. This

can spread disease. Also, Ian observed that supper were pre packaged and looked as if they were

frozen and had few options of fruit and vegetables. Next, Aya observed that supper is not well-

supervised by adult figures which can result in children trading food between trays and

ultimately an unbalanced meal for potentially more than one child. Last, Burhanuddin observed

that hygiene was a big issue as kids were touching everything and didn't frequently wash their
hands and they were also laying on the ground. Supper given was oily and did not have many

nutritional fresh items, everything was packaged and not fresh.

Our Proposal

In the context of our problem, the lack of education on nutrition and programs that further

increase this education, there a defined solutions that can enable UNI and other organizations to

expand on and become more thorough. Through research that has been conducted there are

solutions that we believe can be implemented or improved upon in the context of our problem

and UNI’s mission as an organization. The first step of our proposed solution involves

implementing a rooftop garden or a greenhouse located on school property. Research shows that

there are clear benefits to having an urban garden located in or near an education center. Overall,

the research suggests that if schools and education buildings could find ways to develop and put

rooftop gardens or greenhouses in or around these areas there could be a reduction in packaging

and shipping of produce because of the availability the rooftop gardens present (Nadal et al.).

This instant access to fresh produce would enable UNI and the schools involved in their

organization to have a healthy and nutritious option for students to eat in their afterschool

program. At one of their sites, Harms Elementary, there is urban garden located outside, however

this can only be used during the warmer months, which restricts the access to healthy food items.

A simple solution for this would be campaign and try to raise money for a year round

greenhouse, which will allow for fresh produce to be grown throughout the school year and

summer months.

A reason as to why the implementation of a rooftop garden or greenhouse would come

first in our plan is because the students will be exposed to a new and hands on approach to

nutrition education. According to Pawlowski, students begin to learn horticultural skills and as
well as skills in the caring for and cultivation skills in caring for their crops. The connection

between the students and the urban farm allows for an increased amount of education for

students to know how the produce they eat is grown and its effects on the environment

(Pawlowski). This hands on approach will get the student more involved with what they eat and

will inspire them to eat more fruits and vegetables. Another study that was done focused on how

students’ relationships with their peers, teachers, and parents due to their involvement in an

urban farming program. From the data collected by Fifolt and his colleagues, three key areas

were shown to be affected by the urban farming connection; these common themes in each of

their sites were an effect on responsibility/accountability, relationships, and self-efficacy (Fifolt

et al). These three areas are important characteristics that have a great impact on the

successfulness in life, so by implementing a program like this will have potential benefits for the

students who are able to participate.

The next step in our plan involves in a program where the students are exposed to an

education on what they can do with the fresh produce and ways they can bring what they learned

home. This step also heavily depends on the parental figures of the household and their teaching

style when it comes to their children’s eating habits (Kuo et al.). Parents need to advocate and

influence their children that healthier and fresher produce is important for their youth

development in order for this plan to successfully work. Children cannot to do this alone without

adult supervision and care. Although fresh produce can be more expensive to obtain which can

deter low-income families, other options such as donations from local food banks or supporting

local businesses can be very beneficial to the community that these children and parents reside

in. Additionally, UNI could reach out to local restaurants and ask the chefs who work there if

they would be interested in volunteering at the afterschool program, or an event on the weekend,
where they would demonstrate simple and healthy recipes that the students and parents can try.

In turn, the chefs that come out and educate the children and their parents on healthier meals,

also have the chance to freely promote their restaurant business through their demonstration,

giving them a very good reason to support the cause. If UNI were able to get these professionals

to come in a spend some time with the students and their parents, there could be an increase in

demand for healthier foods within the community, which in return would aid UNI in

accomplishing its goal and assist in solving our problem. Understanding and determining factors

that conflict with student engagement follows researching and developing new tactics to help

motivate students who fall behind in the classroom. The steps explained here could be very

simply implemented and would have tremendous benefits for the residents who are impacted by

the important work UNI has been doing.

Works Cited

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