BACK-TO-SCHOOL PREPARATION SHOULD INCLUDE TALK ON HEALTHY EATING HABITS

- Good foods promote oral and overall health - and learning -

PARSIPPANY, NJ (August 9, 2010)

With students heading back to school or to college this fall, now is the time to discuss healthy eating habits that will promote learning and health, according to Delta Dental of New Jersey.

"After a summer of eating at home, it's tempting to fall back into the cafeteria habit of eating sugary yogurt, chips, and cookies," said Suzy Press, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist and mother of four. "That's why it's especially important to talk to your children about good nutrition before school starts. This will help them make healthy decisions throughout the year."

Studies have shown that good nutrition promotes both health and learning. "Well-nourished children attend school more regularly, can pay attention better and can finish assignments more easily than children who are hungry or undernourished," according to the International Reading Association.¹ "Even moderate undernutrition can have lasting effects on children's cognitive development and school performance," stated a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.² The report states that chronically undernourished children have difficulty concentrating and typically attain lower scores on standardized achievement tests. In addition, they are more susceptible to infection, which can keep them out of school more frequently.

Oral health also has an impact on learning. According to the American Dental Association, tooth decay is increasingly a disease of children from low- and modest-income households. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that among children suffering from tooth decay, almost 50 percent remain untreated, with the disease resulting in pain, dysfunction, being underweight or having poor appearance - all problems that can greatly reduce a child's capacity to succeed in the education environment. In addition, the Surgeon General's landmark study of oral health in America revealed that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness alone.³ Through proper oral hygiene and nutrition, childhood tooth decay can be prevented. Good oral health leads to good overall health, which leads to the improved capacity to learn.

"But not just low-income households are at risk, " said Dr. Scott Navarro, dental director for Delta Dental of New Jersey. "Young people are increasingly targeted by sugary snack makers. Most foods advertised during children's programming on TV are high in fat, sugar, or sodium. There are few commercials for fruits and vegetables. Therefore, parents have to take an active role in educating their children about the right way to eat."

Making Better Choices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture developed simple guidelines for healthier eating. Parents may use these as a basis for conversations with their children heading off to elementary, middle, or high school or even college.

• Eat whole grains daily instead of refined grains. Whole grains include brown rice, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread. Refined grains include white bread and white rice.

• Eat healthier vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables.

• Choose a diet with plenty of grain products, fruits, and vegetables.

• Choose fish, beans, nuts, and seeds for some of your protein needs.

• Choose beverages and foods that will moderate your intake of sugars.

• Choose and prepare foods with less salt.

"The good news is that you can make a difference," said Dr. Press. "A 2009 national study found that parents are the greatest influence on a child's oral health habits. Set a good example with your own habits and routines. Monitor your children's brushing and flossing. Serve healthy foods, drinks, and snacks. With these steps, you can give your children a better chance for success in both school and life. That's something we can all smile about."

For current news about Delta Dental of New Jersey, including information on school programs or the Kid's Club, visit www.deltadentalnj.com. Also visit the Delta Dental of New Jersey Facebook page and Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Facebook page and read the blog on Helping Hands. For information about the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation's Oral Health Education Initiative grant to elementary schools for the 2010-2011 school year, please contact Kimberly Elmore at 973-944-4555 or kelmore@deltadentalnj.com.

About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental system offers seamless dental benefits administration for employer groups throughout the country and has the largest network of dentists in the nation. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation
Delta Dental established the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation in 1986. Its mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, providing research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good health, and improving dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year the Delta Dental Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout the state.

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¹Reading Today, Vol. 22, August-September 2004.
²Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating, CDC, June 14, 1996, 45(RR-9); 1-33.
³U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. NIH Publication No. 03-5303, Spring 2003. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/oralhealth/nationalcalltoaction.html