The clanging of trays and energetic laughter--it's lunchtime at school. As a haven for growling stomachs, the school cafeteria provides nourishment for millions of children each day. Through food choices and eating environments, the midday meal has a powerful influence on the waistlines of students. In an effort to curtail obesity, some wonder if school lunches are making the grade.
Setting the Stage
The burden of obesity is weighing kids down. Excess body weight is a known cause of premature death. According to the American Dietetic Association, schools reach over 95 percent of school-age children and provide a significant amount of their dietary needs. As such, the school cafeteria makes an ideal setting to instill positive food behaviors while minimizing weight-related issues later in life.
Barriers to Success
Conventional school lunches are a thing of the past. Trendy--and often fattening--foods have snuck into the modern menu. The American Dietetic Association says "foods of minimal nutritional value" counter the good intentions of traditional cafeteria fare. Other obstacles include snack bars, vending machines and celebratory events, which provide a wealth of empty-calorie treats. Students complain that lunch periods are too short and lunch lines too long. Even lunches from home fall below vitamin and mineral requirements. Recess, a common adjunct to the lunch period, has also been scaled back. Experts blame these factors for the growing girth of students.
Programs
Strategies are in place to address the nutritional, physical and psychological factors of childhood obesity. Schools nationwide utilize the federally funded National School Lunch Program to provide affordable meals that reflect dietary guidelines. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service reveals that participants of the National School Lunch Program show more favorable dietary patterns than nonparticipants. Other popular programs such as Team Nutrition educate students and staff on healthful meal preparation and the link between diet and well being.
Steps Forward
In response to the childhood obesity crisis, schools have enacted guidelines to promote nutritious foods throughout the school day, provide nutrition education in the classroom and allow for adequate eating time at meals. Access to vending machines and unhealthy snacks is also restricted. Some districts have hired qualified health professionals or dietitians to complement their services.
Menu Makeover
Gone are the days of mystery meat. The School Nutrition Association reports that school districts have increased wholesome food selections, reduced sodium and added sugars, offered more vegetarian options and downsized a la carte portion sizes. Some schools employ chefs to enhance the visual and sensory appeal of food items to counter the pervasive appeal of fast food brands.
Lessons Learned
In the face of sugary sodas and greasy burgers, successful weight control remains a tough feat. Revamping the school lunch is a partial solution to the multifaceted problem of childhood obesity. Health authorities say nutrition education, physical activity, positive food environments and family support are all pieces of the weight loss puzzle. In a collaborative effort, schools and parents can nourish the bodies and minds of tomorrow's youth.
References
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; "Position of the American Dietetic Association, Society for Nutrition Education, and American School Food Service Association---Nutrition services: An essential component of comprehensive school health programs"; April 2003
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service: National School Lunch Program
- USDA: Food and Nutrition Service--Diet Quality of American School-Age Children By School Lunch Participation Status: Data From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey
- School Lunch Association: School Cafeterias Offering Healthier Options This Fall
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