Date of Award

Spring 5-12-2017

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Rodney Lyn

Second Advisor

Jessica Todd

Abstract

Childhood obesity has become a major public health concern and currently affects 17% of 2-19 year olds in the United States (Ogden, Carroll, Fryar, & Flegal, 2015). Children who are overweight or obese have higher odds of becoming overweigh or obese as adults, thus putting these individuals at a higher risk for several health problems including heart disease, type two diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and asthma (Gordon-Larsen & Adair, 2010). A major component of preventing obesity is a healthy diet. Recently, data analyzed from NHANES found that children were not getting enough fruits and vegetables in their diet (Kim et al., 2014). The National School Lunch Program was designed to keep students healthy by providing balanced meals while the students are in school. This review of the literature examines evidence based strategies schools and communities have put in place to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. The findings were that by increasing availability of fruits and vegetables and increasing awareness and promotion schools can increase student’s consumption of fruits and vegetables.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/10103748

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