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The Highest Risk Of Iron Deficiency Occurs During Times Of Rapid Growth And ...

The highest risk of iron deficiency occurs during times of rapid growth and nutritional demand; especially in early childhood, and adolescence. Iron deficiency leads to reduced oxygen carrying capacity and can impact immunity, growth, development and cognitive performance (Black, 2003). One of the causes of anemia is nutritional deficiency, (Medline Plus, 2006). Zlotkin (undated), claims that anemia occurs due to inadequate dietary intake and iron-poor diet. The Mayo Clinic (2005), supports these claims and additionally maintains that a diet which lacks in iron, vitamin B-12, folate and other key nutrients, causes a decrease in red blood cell production resulting to anemia.
2.3.3 Dental Caries

Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most prevalent diseases in children and adolescents (Office of National Statistics, 2004). Research carried out by Downer (1998), revealed that despite large improvements in children's dental health, tooth decay is still a huge problem amongst the young people in our society. Results from the National diet and Nutrition Survey: Report of the oral health survey (Walker et al, 2000), show that tooth decay is much less common is today's children than previous decades, however it remains the main source of tooth loss and dental pain in both the primary and secondary dentition of children in the UK, statistics show that 17% of 1 1/2 4 1/2 year olds have experienced tooth decay (Walker et al, 2000).
Marshall and others (2003), studied the effects of increased soda pop, regular powdered beverages and to a lesser extent, 100% juice; and found a positive relationship between the consumption of said beverages and incidence of dental caries among young children. Moreover, The School Food Trust (2006), claims that most soft drinks, except for water and milk, increase the risk of dental caries.
2.4 Food and Drinks Policy
There is no current requirement for schools to have nutrition policies, therefore in many schools there is no monitoring of food or drink that is brought in from home or purchased in school. One study by McKeown (1999), looked at Welsh primary schools and found that although teaching about nutrition was adequate, very few schools had policies to regulate what was eaten or drunk on school premises.
In contrast, a large survey was carried out during the Autumn term 2003. The National Governors' Council and Food Standards Agency (2004), distributed a questionnaire to school governors requesting information about their practice and views in the area of food policy in schools. Results looked promising with 59% reporting to have some guidelines on food and drink consumption within school. However, in some cases these rules were simply to ban fizzy drinks without paying attention to food at all.
The Department for Education and Skills (2001), national nutritional standards do not include compulsory regulations regarding drinks in schools.


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