Health Impact Assessment: Healthier Nutrition Standards Benefit Kids

Developed by the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project

2 Min Read

Sep 06, 2017

By

Tatiana Y. Lin, M.A.,

Sarah M. Hartsig, M.S.,

Sheena L. Smith, M.P.P.,

Shawna Chapman, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A.

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The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides reimbursement for meals and snacks to a variety of child and adult day care programs. The aim of the program is to ensure that children and the elderly have daily access to nutritious foods. The USDA reviewed CACFP nutrition standards in early 2015 and proposed changes that would make food served in care settings healthier.

The health impact assessment (HIA) report—written by researchers with the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project, a collaboration between The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—analyzed how the proposed changes to CACFP could impact the overall health of children up to age 5 who are served by the program. The Kansas Health Institute (KHI) was selected by the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project to contribute to the development of this health impact assessment (HIA).

“Once again, the health impact assessment tool demonstrated its utility for decision-making. KHI is honored to be part of the efforts to analyze the health impacts of this federal program’s updated meal standards on so many children in Kansas and the nation,” said Tatiana Y. Lin, M.A., KHI senior analyst and strategy team leader. “We hope that Kansas child care providers, sponsors and other stakeholders will utilize the HIA findings and recommendations to maximize the potential benefits of the changes to the CACFP standards.”

In addition to the report, the following publications also are available:

    • Methodological Supplement: Healthier Nutrition Standards Benefit Kids
    • Appendices: Healthier Nutrition Standards Benefit Kids

Access these publications in the Documents & Downloads section.

About Kansas Health Institute

The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.

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