Play now; eat later

One new tool for improving student nutrition and performance goes beyond the lunch line.

Most schools currently schedule recess after lunch. However, a recent Montana study demonstrates conclusively that a simple change in scheduling offers significant health and learning improvements: Children who ate lunch after being physically active had a higher nutritional intake, improved attention and behavior in the classroom, and lower disciplinary rates.

The King County Board of Health's School Obesity Prevention Committee now supports the Recess Before Lunch change in scheduling to improve student health as well as academic achievement. When students are not rushing through their food in order to get outside to play, they focus more on eating, creating a healthier mealtime atmosphere. Children are hungrier after exerting energy on the playground, and they tend to consume more nutrients from their food and beverages.

In fact, the Montana study showed that children ate 35 percent more calcium-rich foods and significantly increased their iron and Vitamin A intake. Students also ate more of their meal overall instead of just the high-fat and protein-rich foods, resulting in improved nutrition and less food waste.

Students receiving better nutrition are better able to focus on instruction and learning in the classroom. In the Montana study, an average of 10 minutes a day was added for instruction time rather than behavior management. In addition, the study showed that after-lunch referrals to the principal's office decreased from 96 per year to 22. Staff also noted a considerable drop in the number of lunchroom discipline problems and referrals to the school nurse.

Implementation of Recess Before Lunch offers some encouraging improvements for students through a few simple steps. Reaching out to teachers, students and parents to promote the benefits of the schedule revision can ensure success for this approach. Adding hand-washing standards between recess and lunch makes this health and performance improvement complete. Best of all, the cost of implementing Recess Before Lunch is low to zero for schools, parents and taxpayers.

With the support of this evidence, we have the capability and opportunity to make this change in all of our schools now for the coming year. Let's put our children's nutrition and education needs first, and put recess before lunch.

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert and Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger are members of the King County Board of Health and its School Obesity Prevention Committee.