What children eat at school is a serious matter. Critics, including First Lady Michelle Obama, have expressed concern about unhealthy foods commonly fed at schools and have called for changes. What children eat at school can affect their health in many ways.
Childhood Obesity
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the rate of adolescent obesity has tripled since 1980 and doubled for younger children. The foods children eat at school affects them in many ways, including their weight. Schools can help children learn about how food affects their weight.
Corporate Influence
Major food corporations play a significant role in the development of child food tastes. The same corporations often have partnerships with schools, making unhealthy foods such as chips and sodas available at school in vending machines and cafeterias. Some schools even have exclusive marketing partnerships with snack or soda companies in exchange for funding for school facilities or sports teams.
Healthy Alternatives
Healthy food options are available and can be implemented at any school. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, many school lunches are too high in saturated fat and cholesterol and too low in fiber, whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Making a change to healthier foods could create better eating habits and reduce childrens' risks of diseases related to poor nutrition, such as heart disease and diabetes.
USDA Changes in 2012
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that as of 2012 the school lunch program will be changed to reflect better nutritional standards. The new standards will limit sodium to 640 mg per day, which is a sharp reduction from the previous amount of 1,440 mg in the average lunch. Other changes include a discontinuation of whole milk, white bread and processed foods. More fruits and steamed vegetables will be available, along with lower-fat milk and whole grain breads.
Member Comments