Ppe 310 - My Plate Assignment

Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT
Ana Luisa Parra

Choose My Plate Assignment
PPE 310: Health Literacy for Schools
Dr. Hesse
29 March 2016
Introduction
Obesity is no longer a health condition prevalent only in adults. Child obesity is a
growing phenomenon due to the easy accessibility of cheap highly processed foods. Latino
children are the demographic most affected by the growing obesity rates. According to
StateofObesity.org, More than 38.9 percent of Latino children are overweight or obese,
compared with 28.5 percent of White children (2014). The menu used in this assignment is from
an elementary school with 98% of the students identifying as Hispanic. Many of the causes of
child obesity are environmental and can be prevented. Resources posted by the United States
Department of Agriculture, such as the Food Tracker Tool, can be incredibly useful in helping
parents and children determine if they are receiving adequate nutrients.
National Standards for School Meals
The National Standards for School Meals were created to help schools provide more
healthful food choices that closely mimic the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Essentially,
schools need to offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grain options, and reduced-fat or fatfree dairy options. Esperanza Elementary School does follow many of the guidelines set by the
Department of Agriculture for school lunches. The school menu requires students to receive both
a vegetable and fruit option. The only problem is that the vegetables described in the National
Standards for School Meals (dark green, orange, legumes, etc.) do not match the vegetable being
served in the cafeteria. The vegetables provided at the school are often canned broccoli or
bagged baby carrots. It also states that students should be receiving one fruit option both at
breakfast and lunch. The standards are not specific as to the type of fruits so the school serves
fruit juices in the morning and a fruit slushy for lunch. These are not natural foods and are filled
with artificial flavoring and sugar. As a result, students are consuming unnecessary amounts of
sugar on a daily basis. The Food Tracker did not record a dinner or extra snack consumed by the
students in one day. The actual intake of calories and nutrients is inaccurate and poorly reflects
the actual diet of an elementary school student (Nutrition Standards in the National School
Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, 2012).
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The National Standards for school meals were modeled after the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans. These guidelines are suggestions for nutrient intake and exercise required to live a
healthful lifestyle. The students are Esperanza Elementary School would not meet the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. For example, the students are receiving almost 50% refined grains of
the 100% target in just two simple meals. The guidelines suggest that, at least half of all grains
should be consumed as whole grains. The school is slowly working to replace refined grains
with whole grains, but the change has been minimal. It is also suggested that sodium be limited
to 2,300 milligrams per day. According to the Food Tracker, students have consumed 1,098
milligrams of the 2,300 before it even hits noon. The meals at school are superficially meeting
many of the requirements due to loopholes in the description of the foods (i.e. fruits). Students
meet the requirements while at school, but it does not account for al the food the students
consume in one single day (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010).
Nutritional Improvements
The most effective and efficient way to improve the essential nutrient intake of students
is to provide them with real food. Food consumed by students should come from the ground to
the table, not from a can or the freezer. Providing natural foods can decrease the amount of
unnecessary salts and sugars that are usually found in canned foods. It would also provide
students with an opportunity to have a wider variety of vegetables and fruits. Students can be
receiving leafy greens, legumes, and a more colorful fruit selection.
Reflection
This activity would be a great addition to the classroom. Students would be fascinated by
the idea of keeping track of all the foods that they consume in one day. Students are always
talking about their snacks having too many or too few calories. They do not realize the bigger
role that calories play in their overall health. Young children do not understand that calories are
equivalent to energy and energy helps them stay active or could potentially lead to weight gain.
Most students understand the importance of staying active; kids naturally love being outside and
running around. Encouraging active lifestyles is an easy task for students at Esperanza. Many
students enjoy playing soccer, baseball, and tag. These fun games are often not seen at exercise
or a burden because they enjoy them.
The Food Tracker can be used to help students learn about nutrients and essential food
groups. It would be a fun way for them to analyze the type of diets they are living. They can have
the opportunity to reflect on whether they are making good choices or not without having an
unrelated adult tell them that they are eating unhealthily. This will be a good opportunity for self-

actualization. It is an activity that can be easily incorporated into the math block. Students can
use simple addition and subtraction equations to determine if they consumed more or less than
the daily requirements. This tool can provide for a very fun and engaging lesson.
References
Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (2010, January). Retrieved October 25, 2015, from
http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2010/
Maximizing The Impact of Obesity-Prevention Efforts In Latino Communities: Key Findings
and Strategic Recommendations. (2014, September). Retrieved February 07, 2016, from
http://stateofobesity.org/disparities/latinos/
Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. (2012).
Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, 77(17). Retrieved October 25
2015, from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf
Criteria
Points (5) Exemplary
Points (3) Proficient
Introduction
SCORE:x.5
Introduction was well organized

and created a plan for the paper
Introduction was somewhat organized

and created a plan for the paper
ChooseMyPlate
Analysis
One breakfast and one lunch (or 2

restaurant options) were
evaluated
Results reflect a hypothetical

student
Screen shot was included
Only one breakfast or lunch (or 1

restaurant option) was evaluated
Results reflected a hypothetical
student, but not enough information
was provided
Screen shot was included, but
incomplete
Contained a somewhat detailed
application of National Standards for
School Meals
Contained somewhat detailed
applications of Dietary Guidelines for
Americans
Contains somewhat detailed
discussions only 2 changes to improve
nutrition
A summary of the current state of the
school in terms of nutrition was
included
but did not align with paper
A summary of the proposed changes
was included but did not align with
paper
SCORE: x1
Application of
results and proposed
changes
SCORE:x1
Summary/Reflectio
n SCORE: x1
Contained a very detailed

application of National Standards
for School Meals
Contains very detailed
applications of Dietary
Guidelines for Americans
Contains very detailed
discussions for 3 changes to
improve nutrition
A summary of the current state of
the schools nutrition was
included
Summary of changes were
included
A detailed reflection regarding
how this teacher knowledge of
students impacts your students
inside and outside your classroom
Writing
SCORE: x1
Referencing Style
SCORE:
x.5
Proper grammar and punctuation

is used throughout the proposal
All sentences are clear &
developed
Paper was at least 3 pages with
standard margins, font, & text
size
APA style referencing used
throughout paper and on the
reference sheet
The file document name
contains
Lastname.firstname.assign#.cours
e#
This rubric was attached
A general reflection of how this data

impacts your students
Most grammar and correct

punctuation is used throughout the
proposal
Most sentences are clear & developed
Paper was 1-3 pages with standard
margins, font, and size of text
APA style referencing mostly used

throughout the paper and on the
reference sheet with some errors
The file name somewhat contains the
Lastname.firstname.assignment#.cour
se#
This rubric was added but not at the
end

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Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT

Ana Luisa Parra

Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT

Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT

Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT

Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT

Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT

Points (5) Exemplary

Points (3) Proficient

Introduction was well organized

Introduction was somewhat organized

One breakfast and one lunch (or 2

Results reflect a hypothetical

Only one breakfast or lunch (or 1

Contained a very detailed

Running head: CHOOSE MY PLATE ASSIGNMENT

students impacts your students

inside and outside your classroom

Proper grammar and punctuation

A general reflection of how this data

Most grammar and correct

APA style referencing mostly used

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