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CNN Live Saturday

Interview With Marie Graf

Aired August 30, 2003 - 12:20   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Strike up the band, it's back to school time and do you know what your bundle of joy is eating for lunch? Many lunchroom menus, now, look like a fast food joint -- pizza, fries, tacos, soft drinks. A candid discussion on healthy eating and school in a moment. But first, medical correspondent, Christy Feig.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For lunch on this day at this Barr Cross Elementary, students get a quarter of the calories from fat. The USDA requires it be below 30 percent.

In Arlington County Virginia schools Sandy O'Conner is the designated fat fighter.

SANDY O'CONNER, ARLINGTON CO. VA SCHOOLS: It is a challenge ,but it's doable. You have to offer lots of fruits and vegetables.

FEIG: But, federal government studies show many schools fail to meet those dietary guidelines in part, critics say, because of food they get from the federal government.

(on camera): According to the USDA about 20 percent of foods served in school cafeterias across the country comes from surplus farm food, bought by the government to subsidize farmers.

(voice-over): And that surplus food could be anything from low calorie fruits and vegetables to fat laden meat and cheese. Then there are ala carte offerings, like pizza and french fries, loaded with fat, but popular with young pallets.

O'CONNER: You're caught in the middle there with the demands of really trying to offer a truly healthy program and also, offering ala carte items that kids want to buy, to bring in more money to your school food service.

FEIG: Public health experts say nearly 5 million U.S. kids are overweight.

MARIE GRAF, PEDIATRIC DIETITIAN: Childhood obesity does put children at a risk for other health complications during childhood and down the road.

FEIG: But, the USDA says don't put all the blame on schools. What children choose to eat at school is influenced by what they eat at home.

Christy Feig, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. So, how do you get your children to eat a nutritional lunch? How about some variety and creativity. Pediatric dietitian, Marie Graf, from the Children's National Medial Center is here to give us some guidance now.

Good to see you, Marie.

GRAF: Hi, nice to see you.

WHITFIELD: All right, who really is to blame, here? Is it the eating habits at home or is it what kids are eating once they get to school?

GRAF: Well, I think both things really play into the picture. Studies have shown that parent have the largest influence on their children, over sports celebrities or even teachers and peers at school. So, the home environment is the most important place in where children have been found to form the eating habits.

WHITFIELD: Well, the statistics are really very frightening, we're talking about 15 percent of American children are considered overweight. And. if these kids are then relying on a lot of their meals, maybe the breakfast and definitely their lunches at school, we're talking about food that, statistically is saying, is about 40 percent full of fat.

GRAF: It is true, the -- there are many challenges at the school food lunch. One of them is the high amounts of fat in the school lunches and the options that they have at the ala carte line. There are other challenges that children are facing at school, one of them is waiting in long lunch lines, not having the time to eat school lunches, and other barriers, also.

WHITFIELD: So, what's the best advice that you're able to give some of the parents now? It seems like the obvious to be fill up their lunch buckets with -- you know, more fruits and vegetables, but, somehow that seems to be a major hurdle that so many -- you know, families are unable to clear. What seems to be the problem?

GRAF: Yeah, there are several challenges, their busy schedules. But, now is a great time at the begin of the school year for parents to start with getting good habits, as far as packing those school lunches, and it's not only about fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are very important, but when packing a school lunch, we really suggest having a variety. To have a good from each of the five food groups, meaning a grain, a vegetable, a fruit, a meat or protein and a dairy serving in each and every lunch. And we extend this to every meal. Many children during the summertime have been found to drop off of not eating breakfast, and at the beginning of the school year is a great time to make time in the schedule to include breakfast, the lunch at school, an after school snack and a balanced dinner at consistent times from day-to-day

WHITFIELD: Isn't time management also to blame because so many parents, perhaps, don't feel like they have enough time to make those lunches, these very -- you know, thought propelled -- you now, lunches in the morning? So, they kind of reach for the prepackaged foods which most dietitians will say are full of saturated fats.

GRAF: It is true. Most processed foods are higher in fats and healthy eating takes extra time. And, eating breakfast and having a family meal together, when possible, does take time but it's worth the long term benefits that it offers. Obesity is the leading cause of some of our long term affects, such as, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

WHITFIELD: Yeah.

GRAF: And so, there's much basis for taking the time out now in the children's lives.

WHITFIELD: And, doesn't it seem like common sense, that if you're eat healthy at home you are eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, et cetera, then it's likely to translate into the lunch buckets once you take these kids to school. Right?

GRAF: Yeah, absolutely. Whether eating in the home or at school, things should be consistent, of including the five food groups and taking the time out to have meal times. If the school lunchtime is a very busy time for the child, packing a lunch is a great opportunity. It's a lot about taking the time for healthy nutrition and additionally taking the time for activity, which is equally important. Studies have shown with increasing time of activity or exercise in the evenings, and by having healthy nutrition, that test scores are improved.

WHITFIELD: So, the family together on the good healthy planning of the eating, as well as, exercising after school. All right. Marie Graf, thanks very much for joining us, appreciate it.

GRAF: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired August 30, 2003 - 12:20   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Strike up the band, it's back to school time and do you know what your bundle of joy is eating for lunch? Many lunchroom menus, now, look like a fast food joint -- pizza, fries, tacos, soft drinks. A candid discussion on healthy eating and school in a moment. But first, medical correspondent, Christy Feig.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For lunch on this day at this Barr Cross Elementary, students get a quarter of the calories from fat. The USDA requires it be below 30 percent.

In Arlington County Virginia schools Sandy O'Conner is the designated fat fighter.

SANDY O'CONNER, ARLINGTON CO. VA SCHOOLS: It is a challenge ,but it's doable. You have to offer lots of fruits and vegetables.

FEIG: But, federal government studies show many schools fail to meet those dietary guidelines in part, critics say, because of food they get from the federal government.

(on camera): According to the USDA about 20 percent of foods served in school cafeterias across the country comes from surplus farm food, bought by the government to subsidize farmers.

(voice-over): And that surplus food could be anything from low calorie fruits and vegetables to fat laden meat and cheese. Then there are ala carte offerings, like pizza and french fries, loaded with fat, but popular with young pallets.

O'CONNER: You're caught in the middle there with the demands of really trying to offer a truly healthy program and also, offering ala carte items that kids want to buy, to bring in more money to your school food service.

FEIG: Public health experts say nearly 5 million U.S. kids are overweight.

MARIE GRAF, PEDIATRIC DIETITIAN: Childhood obesity does put children at a risk for other health complications during childhood and down the road.

FEIG: But, the USDA says don't put all the blame on schools. What children choose to eat at school is influenced by what they eat at home.

Christy Feig, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. So, how do you get your children to eat a nutritional lunch? How about some variety and creativity. Pediatric dietitian, Marie Graf, from the Children's National Medial Center is here to give us some guidance now.

Good to see you, Marie.

GRAF: Hi, nice to see you.

WHITFIELD: All right, who really is to blame, here? Is it the eating habits at home or is it what kids are eating once they get to school?

GRAF: Well, I think both things really play into the picture. Studies have shown that parent have the largest influence on their children, over sports celebrities or even teachers and peers at school. So, the home environment is the most important place in where children have been found to form the eating habits.

WHITFIELD: Well, the statistics are really very frightening, we're talking about 15 percent of American children are considered overweight. And. if these kids are then relying on a lot of their meals, maybe the breakfast and definitely their lunches at school, we're talking about food that, statistically is saying, is about 40 percent full of fat.

GRAF: It is true, the -- there are many challenges at the school food lunch. One of them is the high amounts of fat in the school lunches and the options that they have at the ala carte line. There are other challenges that children are facing at school, one of them is waiting in long lunch lines, not having the time to eat school lunches, and other barriers, also.

WHITFIELD: So, what's the best advice that you're able to give some of the parents now? It seems like the obvious to be fill up their lunch buckets with -- you know, more fruits and vegetables, but, somehow that seems to be a major hurdle that so many -- you know, families are unable to clear. What seems to be the problem?

GRAF: Yeah, there are several challenges, their busy schedules. But, now is a great time at the begin of the school year for parents to start with getting good habits, as far as packing those school lunches, and it's not only about fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are very important, but when packing a school lunch, we really suggest having a variety. To have a good from each of the five food groups, meaning a grain, a vegetable, a fruit, a meat or protein and a dairy serving in each and every lunch. And we extend this to every meal. Many children during the summertime have been found to drop off of not eating breakfast, and at the beginning of the school year is a great time to make time in the schedule to include breakfast, the lunch at school, an after school snack and a balanced dinner at consistent times from day-to-day

WHITFIELD: Isn't time management also to blame because so many parents, perhaps, don't feel like they have enough time to make those lunches, these very -- you know, thought propelled -- you now, lunches in the morning? So, they kind of reach for the prepackaged foods which most dietitians will say are full of saturated fats.

GRAF: It is true. Most processed foods are higher in fats and healthy eating takes extra time. And, eating breakfast and having a family meal together, when possible, does take time but it's worth the long term benefits that it offers. Obesity is the leading cause of some of our long term affects, such as, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

WHITFIELD: Yeah.

GRAF: And so, there's much basis for taking the time out now in the children's lives.

WHITFIELD: And, doesn't it seem like common sense, that if you're eat healthy at home you are eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, et cetera, then it's likely to translate into the lunch buckets once you take these kids to school. Right?

GRAF: Yeah, absolutely. Whether eating in the home or at school, things should be consistent, of including the five food groups and taking the time out to have meal times. If the school lunchtime is a very busy time for the child, packing a lunch is a great opportunity. It's a lot about taking the time for healthy nutrition and additionally taking the time for activity, which is equally important. Studies have shown with increasing time of activity or exercise in the evenings, and by having healthy nutrition, that test scores are improved.

WHITFIELD: So, the family together on the good healthy planning of the eating, as well as, exercising after school. All right. Marie Graf, thanks very much for joining us, appreciate it.

GRAF: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com