Animated images of junk foods appearing on a plate which is being held by a young boy. Alongside is the heading: What Is Our Culture Feeding Our Future? Why Nutrition for Children and Teens Needs Our Urgent Attention

Did you know that the origin of the school lunch program is related to national security? In 1946, President Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law, driven partly by the alarming finding that nutritional deficiencies in young people frequently disqualified them from military service during World War II.

Where are we now?

Sugary junk foods including Twinkies and other snack cakes, alongside these words: 67% of calories

Today, ultraprocessed "foods" make up 67% of children's caloric intake. These are industrial concoctions that previous generations would not recognize—products whose nutritional value often approaches zero, packed with sugar, salt, fat, and a bevy of artificial ingredients.^[¹^]

A child's feet on a scale, alongside these words: 20% With Obesity

The latest CDC data reveals that nearly 20% of U.S. children and adolescents are living with obesity. ^[2]

Two syringes of injectable weight-loss drugs, alongside these words: Children as Young as 12

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics began advising doctors to consider weight-loss drugs for children as young as 12 years old, in addition to lifestyle measures. ^[3]

Despite these alarming realities, the 2024 guidelines for training pediatricians include no requirement for training in clinical nutrition.

How then can pediatricians effectively support nutritional interventions for children and their families?

Smiling picture of Stephen Devries, MD, alongside these words: A Response from the Gaples Institute's Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Devries

As a preventive cardiologist who has spent decades treating adult patients, I've seen firsthand that cardiovascular disease and other diet-related conditions don't suddenly begin at age 50 or 60—their roots are established in childhood.

This is why the focus needs to shift toward “primordial prevention”: addressing risk factors before they develop.

At the Gaples Institute, we're dedicated to this approach!

Not only are we helping to develop standards for nutrition education in medical training, we're also working hard to reach and educate teens and young adults through our fun and interactive learning program, Food As a Superpower.

Silhouette of a caped superhero with an armload of colorful fruits and vegetables, alongside these words: 1,000+ learners have earned certificates in the interactive learning program "Food As a Superpower"

More than 1,000 students have now earned certificates in this dynamic graphic-novel-themed learning experience for young people.

Read below to see how that's working out!

Gaples Institute's Youth Nutrition Education Program Helps an Urban Boys & Girls Club Activate Teens' Superpowers

Teens in the Boys & Girls Club of North Columbus, Georgia, have become superheroes of healthy eating! They recently completed the Gaples Institute's Food As a Superpower course as part of the nutrition unit in their summer learning program.

Here's what Teen Director Lavonda Samuels said about the course:

Picture of Lavonda Samuels, teen director of the John F. Flournoy College & Career Center, alongside her quote: "When I discovered the Gaples Institute's learning program for teens, I knew it would be perfect for our teens to learn nutrition basics. The certificate at the end allowed them to receive credit and have proof of their learning. I loved the content and how interactive and user friendly it is!"

Know a school whose students could benefit from the Food As a Superpower course?

Click here for an info sheet to share with teachers!

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