Wallingford-Swarthmore NN TheUU TTRRIITTIIOONN School District Grade Five NNEEWWSS!! Spring Volume 1, Issue 3

Elementary Nutrition Education Newsletter

Fast FACTS As a result, marketing is relentless.  At McDonald’s, and Wendy’s,

 The fast food industry spent more than $4.2 approximately two-thirds of parents who billion in 2009 on TV, radio, magazines, and ordered a kids’ for their child outdoor advertising, as well as other media. ordered and one-third to

 The average preschooler (2-5 years old) saw one-half ordered a soft . In 2.8 TV ads for fast food every day in 2009, contrast, two-thirds of parents ordered children (6-11 years old) saw 3.5 and teens (12- fruit or yogurt and juice or plain milk 17 years old) saw 4.7. with a kids’ meal at .

 Young people’s exposure to fast food TV ads  Parents of elementary school-age has increased. Compared to 2003, preschoolers children were more likely to order a viewed 21% more fast food ads in 2009, combo meal or dollar/value items children viewed 34% more and teens viewed for their child than a kids’ meal. 39% more.  Teens between the ages of 13 and 18

 McDonald’s and Burger King have pledged to ordered 800 to 1,100 calories in an improve food marketing to children. However, average fast food visit. This age group both increased their volume of TV ordered many of the highest-calorie, advertising from 2007 to 2009. nutrient-poor items on fast food ,

 Compared to 2007, preschoolers saw 21% more including large and extra-large french ads for McDonald’s and 9% more for Burger fries and soft and large-sized King. Children viewed 26% more ads for burgers. McDonald’s and 10% more for Burger King.  Teens were also more likely to visit a

 Although McDonald’s and Burger King only fast food for an afternoon or showed their “better-for-you” in child- evening compared to any other age targeted marketing, their ads did not group and they purchased the most encourage consumption of these healthier , breads and sweet breads. choices. Instead, child-targeted ads focused  At least 30% of the calories in menu on toy giveaways and building brand loyalty. items ordered by children and teens

 Children saw more than just child-targeted were from sugar and saturated fat. At ads. More than 60% of fast food ads viewed by most restaurants, young people ordered preschoolers and children promoted fast food at least half of their maximum daily items other than kids’ and promotions. recommended sodium intake in just one fast food meal.

Nutrition News Page 2

Fighting Food Poisoning – One of the Most Important Things You Can Do

What is one of the most important thing you can do to fight food poisoning? Here are a few And here’s when to do it: . hints: Before, during, and after preparing food . Before food . It takes only 20 seconds (if you do it the . After using the toilet right way). . After changing diapers or cleaning up a . It requires only 3 ingredients. child who has used the toilet . Anyone can do it, even very young children. . Before and after caring for someone who is sick The answer is Wash Your Hands. Over and . After blowing your nose, coughing, or over again, studies have shown that sneezing handwashing is one of the most effective ways . After touching an animal or animal waste to prevent the spread of many types of . After touching garbage infection and illness—including foodborne . Before and after treating a cut or wound illness.

Wash Your Hands The Right Way What about hand sanitizers? When you wash your hands the right way, it takes only 20 seconds and requires only three Washing hands with soap and water is the best ingredients: running water, soap, and something way to reduce the number of germs on them. But, to dry your hands (a clean towel or air). if soap and water are not available, use a hand Here’s how to do it: sanitizer.  Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap. Important: Hand sanitizers are not effective if  Rub your hands together to make a your hands are visibly dirty. lather and scrub them well. Be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce between your fingers and under your the number of germs on hands in some situations, nails. but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.  Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum Always use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that the "Happy Birthday" song from contains at least 60% alcohol. Here’s how to use beginning to end twice. hand sanitizer properly:  Rinse your hands well under running water. 1. Apply the product to the palm of one hand.  Dry your hands using a clean towel or 2. Rub your hands together. air dry. 3. Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.