Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Adds Voice to National Effort in Hospital Nutrition

Jan 24, 2013 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- "Having good-tasting, healthy foods easily available is important for everyone who comes through our doors." According to a release, that statement from President and CEO Christopher G. Dawes perfectly sums up the nutritional commitment Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is making to its patients, families, visitors and staff. In late 2012, the hospital joined the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) in developing strategies to impact childhood obesity. "We're glad to be playing such an important role in helping set national standards for healthy food options," Dawes said.

Packard Children said it is one of only 10 children's hospital systems among 155 signing on with the nonpartisan, nonprofit PHA, which is working with the private sector and Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama to end the epidemic. In total, these hospitals serve more than 60 million meals each year to patients, visitors and staff. Across the hospitals represented by this commitment, if these changes result in just 100 fewer calories consumed at one of every three meals served, intake can be reduced by a staggering 2 trillion calories annually.

The hospital was leading the way even before joining PHA. In 2012, Packard Children added, it removed deep-fat fryers from the cafeteria and ended the serving of sugar-sweetened beverages. Additionally, there was the introduction of more whole grain breads and pastas, low-fat dairy and meat products, low-fat and low-calorie entrees, and many new vegetarian options. More sensible portion sizes were offered. "This was a key part of the change," said Stephen Roth, MD, MPH, chief of pediatric cardiology and medical director of the Children's Heart Center. "We tend to eat more than we need, especially at stressful times. Ensuring smaller portions as the norm makes it easy for those under stress to make healthy choices." In 2013 and over the next three years, Packard Children's and other hospitals partnering with PHA plan to implement several changes to increase the amount of healthy food available in hospitals. These include daily wellness meals that meet nutritional standards; the display of health-promoting food options near cash register stations; and increasing the percentage of fruits and vegetables available. "Many of these improvements are already under way at Packard Children's," Dawes said.

Every organization that works with PHA is required to agree that PHA will monitor and report on progress toward their commitment. To verify the commitments, each hospital is working with Altarum, a third-party evaluator, providing relevant data as well as allowing direct observations at a randomly selected number of hospitals.

"Being a part of the Partnership for a Healthier America is extremely important to us," Dawes said. "It's an extension of our ongoing commitment to quality care across not just our communities and health network, but also across the nation." Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 311-bed hospital, research center and regional medical network.

More information: www.lpch.org ahealthieramerica.org ((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

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