Date Tue, 02 Jul 2002 120012 -0700
To Nancy Waldman
Subject HEALTH LETTER WITH SIGNATURES

July 2, 2002

Dear Director Waldman

We would like to draw your attention to a serious health problem involving Seattle children, and to the role played by the Seattle School District. As President of the Board charged with oversight of the Seattle Public Schools, you have an opportunity to take action to dramatically change the outcome for children.

Unhealthy weight is a risk factor for premature death and a wide range of serious chronic illnesses. It is particularly important to establish healthy eating and physical activity habits in young people so they have the tools to mature into healthy adults. According to the March 2002 Public Health Data Watch report by Public Health-Seattle & King County, "Over the last 20 years, the percentage of U.S. children age 6-11 who are overweight has nearly doubled, while the percentage of adolescents who are overweight has increased almost three-fold." Overweight adolescents have a seven-in-ten or greater chance of becoming overweight adults.

In children, overweight/obese is defined as a body mass index greater than the 95th percentile for the child¹s age (see attached), and at risk for overweight/obesity between the 85th-95th percentile. Obesity during childhood and adolescence is associated with an increased risk of numerous chronic and debilitating diseases, including type II diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, asthma, gall bladder disorders and psychosocial maladjustment. Obesity is complex, but can be attributed in large part to a combination of too little physical activity and excess caloric intake. Ultimately, the epidemic in child obesity affects morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. The public health burden of these diseases is large and, therefore, prevention is an important goal.

We are particularly concerned about the disproportionate number of Seattle's children of color who may be at risk for obesity-related chronic diseases. Moreover, there is substantial research to support the fact that learning and achievement increase when nutritional status is maximized, and it declines when nutritional status is marginal, even in the absence of obesity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter, "Only 1 in 100 children eat a balanced diet as described by the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid; 16% of children do not fulfill the serving suggestions for any food group" (http://www.ohioaap.org/softdrinks.htm]. We also have concerns about the decreased intake of certain nutrients-- calcium, vitamin D, etc., when children choose soda over other beverages such as milk or juice. A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health concludes that active girls who drink colas are five times more likely to fracture bones, possibly because colas are replacing milk in the diet, or possibly because cola drinks contain phosphoric acid, which has been shown to affect calcium metabolism and bone mass (Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, June 2000).

The Surgeon General's recent Call to Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity makes clear recommendations about how schools can be part of the solution, rather than part of this alarming problem (see attached).

School physical education programs, outdoor recesses, and after school sports can certainly help by increasing students¹ physical activity. However, we believe that the most dramatic improvements will be seen when the Seattle School District makes a commitment to a healthy food environment for the 47,000 children in its care. Improving the intake of healthful foods is likely to lead immediately to lower caloric intake and even if the decrease is small, over time it will have an effect.

Many people believe that nutrition education begins in the home. However, we are all aware that not every family has expertise in health education, as do the district specialists. Children spend a great deal of their lives in school, so school is an ideal place to create a healthy eating and physical activity environment. In addition, there is research strongly suggesting that we live in an obesigenic environment, and schools should be a counterweight to that influence. Since children do not necessarily come to school with accurate information about costs, benefits, and health consequences of making appropriate food and beverage choices, Seattle Public Schools must help to educate them. Unfortunately, despite the fact that a few Seattle schools offer health or nutrition education programs, the district is sending mixed messages about healthful food choices.

We are deeply concerned about the irresponsible and harmful messages children are currently receiving in the Seattle public school environment, including

® In-school promotions for high-fat, high-salt McDonald's food (Concord Elementary and Whitman Middle School 'McTeacher Night')

® Sales of high-fat, nutrient-poor Krispy Kreme® donuts in the lunchroom during the lunch period (Viewlands, Eckstein--sold by PE teachers)

® Advertisements for Fruit Gushers® candy and high-fat, high-salt Pringles® chips distributed to children to use as bookcovers (Washington Middle School)

® Daily TV commercials for highly-processed, high-fat, high-sugar Snickers® and high-fat, high-salt McDonald¹s products (Hamilton, Mercer, and Whitman Middle Schools)

® Assemblies that encourage children to sell See's® high-fat chocolate candies (Madison Middle School)

® Vending machine sales of sugary, caffeinated Coca Cola® and high-calorie, nutrient-poor sugar-drink Fruitopia® ­ including allowing children to buy 20-oz. Cokes® for breakfast each day (Nathan Hale High, African-American Academy K-8, Summit K-12, Eckstein Middle School)

® After-school programs which distribute high-fat, high-salt Frito-Lay® snacks to children (Eckstein Middle School)

® Advertising posters for highly-processed, high-fat, sugary Otis Spunkmeyer® cookies in the lunchroom (Eckstein Middle School)

® Unsolicited videos, visuals, and lesson plans from the Chocolate Manufacturers' Association and Godfather's Pizza® distributed to Language Arts teachers by school support staff (Washington Middle School)

In addition, many of the practices listed above appear to violate federal regulations (Section 210.11.of the NSLP regulations and Section 220.12 of SBP regulations; see USDA Report).

Today's message to Seattle school children is crystal clear "You are strongly encouraged to consume high-fat, high salt, sugary foods and beverages as a sign of loyalty and support for your school". This message is clearly counter to the recommendations of the Surgeon General of the United States.

The new commercialism policy was adopted by the School Board six months ago, yet enforcement has been very sporadic. It is possible that during these six months, the health of Seattle's children may have deteriorated. Aggressive and consistent enforcement of the policy is necessary to make the policy effective.

We recommend that you direct the Superintendent to take immediate action to:

• Enforce all aspects of the district-wide commercialism policy adopted on Nov. 21, 2001

• Replace all current vending machine offerings with foods and beverages that meet USDA guidelines

• Ensure that all foods sold in competition with the school lunch program meet USDA guidelines (including DECA and ASB student stores and fundraisers conducted by booster clubs and PTAs)

• Update the District¹s School Fundraising policy (H25.00) to prohibit advertising, promotion or sales of unhealthful foods and beverages on school district property

• Prohibit vendors or company representatives from distributing food or beverage samples to teachers or students at school, including posting and enforcement of No Soliciting signs on all school doors

• Encourage all principals to review their actual use of and need for Channel One equipment and seriously consider phasing out Channel One even before their contract expires

• Prohibit any school staff from distributing advertisements as bookcovers or making them available to students

• Strongly encourage PTAs, ASBs and booster clubs to select non-commercial fundraisers and to work with the Child Nutrition Program office to choose healthy alternatives for any food or beverage sales in which they participate

• Ask school support staff to refuse delivery of unsolicited promotional items and to refrain from distributing unsolicited corporate materials and advertisements to teachers or other school staff

Some argue that children will choose unhealthful foods on their own anyway, so the schools may as well be selling them. The fact is, however, that about 85% of the Seattle Schools are closed campuses. Elementary and Middle School children do NOT have access to unhealthful foods or beverages unless they bring them from home or get them at school. As educators, we are not responsible for what children bring from home, but we are very much responsible for the food choices available at school.

A world-class educational system does not ask its children to consume high-sugar, high-fat food in order to refurbish its Ping-Pong tables nor ask them to slake their thirst with caffeinated, sugary drinks in order to play sports after school. Our community has put 47,000 children into your care and we trust that you will take steps immediately to protect their health at school. We all want what is best for the children.

Sincerely,

Brita Butler-Wall, Ph.D., Executive Director
Citizens' Campaign for Commercial-Free Schools

Jeanne Kohl-Welles, State Senator
36th Legislative District, Washington State Senate

Stephen Bezruchka, MD, MPH, Senior Lecturer
Department of Health Services
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington
Emergency Physician Group Health and Virginia Mason Hospitals

Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos
House Majority Whip

Kären Ahern
Coalition for Environmentally Safe Schools

Betty Lucas, MPH, RD, CD
CHDD, University of Washington

Mary Flowers
Coalition for Undoing Racism Everywhere (C.U.R.E.)

Marian L. Neuhouser, PhD, RD

Mike Graham-Squire
Seattle Young People's Project

Diane M. Morrison, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Research
School of Social Work, University of Washington

Keven Mosley-Koehler, MS, MPH, Project Manager
Planning and Evaluation, Group Health Community Foundation

Cynthia Sullivan
King County Council Member

Margit E. McGuire, Ph.D, School of Education
Seattle University

Ken Jacobsen, Senator
46th Legislative District, Washington State Senate

Donna B. Johnson, RD, PhD

Debra Morrison, Facilitator, Green Party of Seattle and
Clinic Manager, Pike Market Medical Clinic

David Yao, Delegate
King County Labor Council

Lynne Dodson
Seattle Community Colleges Federation of Teachers

Angela Hill
Organic Consumers Association

Dr. Mary Anne Mercer
Lecturer, University of Washington School of Public Health

Anne Slater, Seattle Radical Women

Beth Ogata, MS, RD, Chair
Washington State Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group

Adrienne Dorf, MPH, RD, CD

Craig Winters, Executive Director
The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods

David Westberg, Business Manager
International Union of Operating Engineers-Local 609
King County Labor Council Executive Board

Steve Williamson
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Velma Veloria, Representive
11th Legislative District, Washington State House of Representatives

Alice Lockridge, MS PhysEd, Exercise Physiologist and owner
PRO-FIT & Exercise Express

Beth Meshke
Ravenna United Methodist Church's Church and Society Committee

----------- (original list of signatories ends here)

Elise Miller, M.Ed., Executive Director
Institute for Children's Environmental Health

Lisa Bond, President
Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA)

John Stokes, Legislative Director
Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA)

Yalonda Sinde, Executive Director
Community Coalition for Environmental Justice

[Note Above affiliations are for identification purposes only]

Enclosures

Public Health Data Watch Overweight and Obesity in King Co., March 2002

Surgeon General Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity

Seattle Public Schools Policy and Procedures on Advertising and Commercial Activities, Nov. 2001

USDA Report to Congress Foods Sold in Competition with USDA School Meal Programs

List of competitive foods sold at Eckstein Middle School, Spring 2002