Final answer:
The nurse is acting as an advocate by promoting a school program that would provide nutritious meals to low-income children, addressing malnutrition and supporting their overall health and educational success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The school nurse is fulfilling the role of an advocate. In advocating for a free breakfast and lunch program, the nurse is demonstrating a commitment to improving the well-being of students who may not have consistent access to nutritious meals at home. This advocacy aims to directly address issues of malnutrition, which can significantly affect a child's physical health, cognitive development, and academic performance.
Nutrition education is essential to combat the rise in obesity and related health issues such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Programs like SNAP have shown that children who receive nutrition education are more likely to eat vegetables at home. Offering school meals not only ensures that children have access to nutritious foods but also aligns with what is taught about healthy diets in school. Thus, by promoting a school nutrition program, the nurse supports both the immediate nutritional needs of students and the broader educational mission of promoting lifelong healthy eating habits.
Malnutrition in children can be addressed with solutions such as government-funded nutrition programs, nutrition education in schools, community gardens, and improvements to the quality of food provided in school cafeterias. Collectively, these efforts can help alleviate the impact of malnutrition on low-income children, improving their health outcomes and educational experiences.