Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions because many children lack access to healthy food, both at home and away from home. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) feeds 30 million low-income students each day and nutrition standards for breakfast and lunch tray items are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But the nutrition standards are not applied to all food items offered, and poor eating habits are encouraged by the abundance of sugary soft drinks and junk food sold on school grounds. The current nutrition standards for vending and a la carte menus in schools nationwide are 30 years old and need to be updated. The USDA’s definition of foods with minimal nutritional value has not been revised since 1979. .jpg)
The NSLP was enacted in 1946 and the USDA has historically enforced significant restrictions based on current nutrition guidelines, but the USDA has failed to have a comprehensive approach. Schools across the country are allowed to contract with (accept payments from) private corporations to supply vending and a la carte food choices because they’re not regulated, thus competing with the USDA-approved food choices. Studies have concluded that these competing foods have been detrimental to the value of the NSLP overall, because they offer very little nutritional value and are largely soft drinks and junk food, containing high amounts of sugar, saturated fat, sodium and calories.
The good news is that the Institute of Medicine is currently conducting a study at the request of the USDA to recommend updates and revisions to the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. A phase I report has already been produced and is available to the public and the final report is expected in October 2009. These recommendations will be used in pending federal legislation when the Child Nutrition Act expires at the end of 2009 and needs reauthorization.
The Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2009 will update school vending and other menu standards for Michigan schools and districts across the country. The bill will require that all vending, a la carte, school store items and foods everywhere else on school campuses meet USDA nutritional guidelines for the entire school day. President Barack Obama and a powerful coalition of medical, health, and children’s advocacy groups support this legislation.
Write or call your senator or representative to urge them to sponsor this important bill. A few states have already adopted their own current nutrition guidelines, but this legislation will ensure that current nutrition science is used nationwide.
The USDA has commissioned its own studies in recent years and recognizes that competing food choices are substantially less healthy than USDA-approved foods served through the NSLP. A USDA study cited in the Journal of Law and Education (April 2004) also found that most children fail to take the recommended number of servings from the five major food groups, especially in relation to their energy needs. Children are heavy consumers of soda (regular or diet), and the majority of children's diets are high in added sugars. Yet the USDA continues to warn against allowing consumption of beverages containing sugar. Current portion sizes are also recognized as a problem for children who participate in the NSLP.
Yet school districts are motivated by the fees they collect from the private firms in exchange for supplying beverages and vending items. Given a choice of an apple or chocolate chip cookies, most children will opt for the less nutritious option presented to them. Over time, consuming too much junk food and insufficient amounts of healthy foods puts children at high risk for becoming overweight or obese, which can lead to diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and other health problems.
Parents also need to promote healthy eating at home. Teaching children that a good diet is vital to good health is the most effective method to instill responsible, healthy attitudes about food choices they can appreciate throughout their lives.
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