October 20, 2017

The Honorable John Garamendi

412 G Street
Davis, CA 95616

RE: SUPPORT H.R.3800 (NUTRITION EDUCATION ACT), as introduced 10/22/2015

Dear John Garamendi:

My name is Leana Abusneineh and I am a Clinical Nutrition student at University of California, Davis who
resides in your district.

I urge your support for this bill. This bill will ensure that public schools that receive funding from the
National School Lunch Program will also require 50 hours of nutrition education every school year.
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758b) includes nutrition promotion or
education. However, there are no specifics of what or how much that entails. This act (Nutrition Education
Act) will specify what those requirements will be.

There are many benefits that this bill would have if it succeeds. The current school nutrition education
consists of only about 13 hours per school year. This amount is clearly not enough time for children to
gain even a basic understanding of nutrition. It is assumed that 50 hours is enough time to provide what is
necessary to know regarding nutrition. It is important for students to know the importance of nutrition early
in age. Studies funded by the NIH have shown that children exposed to a variety of fruits and vegetables
will help them like them better. In the United States, 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese. They then
become overweight or obese middle schoolers, high schoolers, then adults. It is clear that it is important
to start taking action early by providing them with the education. Teachers in classroom settings need to
teach students about nutrition in order to reduce conflicting messages from their parents or the media to
children. Children learn from celebrities on TV. Children may not know what is wrong and what is right.
The media can have a damaging effect on children. We live in a very diet-centered culture, and children
should have the knowledge that they don't need to go on diets to be healthy.

I see that this bill should be implemented in my 14 year old brother. He is slightly overweight, and while
that does not mean unhealthy, he does not eat well. He refuses to eat anything healthy. He does not
understand the true consequences in consuming fast food regularly.I’m afraid he will grow up continuing
this behavior. People learn their own habits at a younger age, and while it is not impossible, it is difficult to
change your ways when you are older.

I urge you to support me! Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Leana Abusneineh
510 Arthur St, Apt 228
Davis, CA 95616