Stang Jamie, Bayerl Cynthia Taft
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
J Am Diet Assoc. 2010 May;110(5):791-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.02.025.
t is the position of the American Dietetic Association that children and adolescents should have access to an adequate supply of healthful and safe foods that promote optimal physical, cognitive, and social growth and development. Nutrition assistance programs, such as food assistance and meal service programs and nutrition education initiatives, play a vital role in meeting this critical need. Nutrition assistance programs create a safety net that ensures that children and adolescents at risk for poor nutritional intakes have access to a safe, adequate, and nutritious food supply. Federally funded nutrition assistance programs help ensure that children and adolescents receive meals that provide adequate energy and nutrients to meet their growth and development needs; children and adolescents have access to adequate food supplies; and women, infants, and children who have nutritional or medical risk factors, such as iron-deficiency anemia or overweight, receive supplemental nutritious foods as well as nutrition education. In addition, federally funded nutrition assistance programs serve as a means to combat hunger and food insecurity and as a vehicle for nutrition education and promotion of physical activity designed to prevent or reduce obesity and chronic disease. It is important that continued funding be provided for these programs that have been consistently shown to have a positive influence on child and adolescent well-being. Registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered, are uniquely qualified to design, implement, and evaluate nutrition assistance programs for children and adolescents. Registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered, are the only food and nutrition practitioners with adequate training in food science, nutrition, and food systems to implement research and surveillance programs to monitor, evaluate, and improve the nutritional status of children and adolescents.
美国饮食协会的立场是，儿童和青少年应能获得充足的健康安全食品，以促进其最佳的身体、认知和社交成长与发育。营养援助项目，如食品援助和膳食服务项目以及营养教育倡议，在满足这一关键需求方面发挥着至关重要的作用。营养援助项目构建了一个安全网，确保有营养摄入不足风险的儿童和青少年能够获得安全、充足且营养丰富的食物供应。联邦资助的营养援助项目有助于确保儿童和青少年获得能提供充足能量和营养以满足其生长发育需求的膳食；儿童和青少年能够获得充足的食物供应；以及有营养或医疗风险因素（如缺铁性贫血或超重）的妇女、婴儿和儿童能够获得补充性营养食品以及营养教育。此外，联邦资助的营养援助项目是抗击饥饿和粮食不安全的一种手段，也是开展营养教育以及推广旨在预防或减少肥胖和慢性病的体育活动的一个载体。持续为这些已被证明对儿童和青少年福祉具有积极影响的项目提供资金非常重要。注册营养师和注册营养技师具备独特的资质来设计、实施和评估针对儿童和青少年的营养援助项目。注册营养师和注册营养技师是唯一在食品科学、营养和食品系统方面接受过充分培训，能够实施研究和监测项目以监测、评估和改善儿童和青少年营养状况的食品和营养从业者。
