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Actions Overview See Key Ingredients that make these actions work. Related Indicators Percent of children in expected height and weight range for their age Percent of children being breast-fed at six weeks after birth Children with dental caries or other untreated dental problems   Printer-Friendly IB2. Good nutrition Reasons for action: Malnutrition and under-nutrition, often accompanied by iron-deficiency anemia, may negatively affect cognitive development, academic achievement, coordination, and vulnerability to illness. Children who have breakfast, lunch, and other meals are less irritable, have fewer absences from school, and show improved concentration, social interactions, inquisitiveness, and overall cognitive functioning. Click here to view additional Rationale or Evidence of Effectiveness. Actions by Providers of Programs, Services, and Supports Agencies working with children and families provide or connect families with nutrition supplements, counseling, and support as needed. The agencies: Boston Medical Center (www.bmc.org/pediatrics/special/) maintains a food pantry inside the hospital to help people with immediate needs. When the Department of Pediatrics found that a large proportion of families coming in for emergency food were not receiving food stamps although they were eligible, it worked with the Family Advocacy Program and Project HEALTH volunteers (www.projecthealth.org) to set up a food stamp clinic near the food pantry. The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program in Washington State includes a nutrition component that teaches families about healthy eating habits. Ensure that all eligible families receive assistance from the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Food Stamp Program, other food supplement benefits, and food pantries Educate parents and other caregivers about ways to prevent nutrition problems (including anemia); the dangers of malnutrition, overfeeding, and obesity; and the importance of adequate rest and exercise Child care, early education, and pre-K programs provide nutritious lunches, breakfasts, and snacks, using assistance from the Child and Adult Care Food Program. School-based child care programs use assistance from the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Summer Food Service Program for Children. Some combine nutrition programs with encouragement of physical activity. Hip-Hop to Health is a community-based obesity prevention program for preschool, minority children and families who participate in Chicago Head Start. It has interactional nutrition and physical activity components. http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/updates/2002/mar2002article1.htm Actions by Local Collaboratives and Agenda Setters Local coalitions promote community norms that value and promote adequate rest, exercise, and nutrition. Local coalitions conduct outreach to ensure that all eligible families receive benefits from WIC, the Food Stamp Program, and other food supplement programs. They also conduct outreach to ensure that eligible providers of child care and early education use assistance from the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and that providers of school-based programs use the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Summer Food Service Program for Children. Local coalitions keep funders and policymakers informed about barriers to effective action that require solutions at the funding, policy, or regulatory level. Actions by Funders and Policymakers Federal policymakers fully fund WIC, Food Stamps, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program for Children, and the Community Food and Nutrition Program to reach more young children. Federal policymakers restore food stamp eligibility to legal immigrants and increase food stamp allowances for low-income families. State policymakers earmark state funds to fill the gap created by cuts in federal nutrition programs. Public and private funders provide resources for outreach and education to promote good nutrition and prevent hunger. Go To Next Action Area Back to School Readiness Home Page