The public needs to know
The Public Needs to Know Midi Jones
Professor Adelia
English Composition
July 24, 2014
University of District of Columbia
Obesity among adolescents contributes to the most recent changes to improve nutrition and health to the breakfast and lunch programs. Studies have shown that one in three American children is considered overweight or obese; and unhealthy school lunches are contributing to problems. Obesity rates amongst children have increase rapidly over the last 30 years; with dramatic repercussions for our children and society. Today’s children are eating too many snack-like foods and beverages, and not exercising enough. Only 1%-2% of US children meet the requirements (Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the National Nutritional Standards) for dietary intake. What can we do to prevent childhood obesity; or is the lack of education about nutrition, food supply, or access to healthy and affordable foods? The federal government has just launched a new battle to strengthen the nutritional requirements for school lunches. The major economic issue is that students receiving free or reduced-price lunches; tend to be from lower income families and showed higher obesity rates than those who did not participate in the lunch program. Students from lower income families rely on school meals to get the nutrients they need, so it’s very important for schools to offer healthy lunches. The NSLP is the second largest food and nutrition program. The NSLP operates in both public and non-profit private schools; providing a low cost and free lunches to over 31.6 million children. (C. Gundersen. 2011) Any student in a participating school is eligible for the NSLP lunch regardless of student’s household income. Free lunches are available to children in households with incomes at or below 130 percent of poverty. Reduced-price lunches are available to children in
Professor Adelia
English Composition
July 24, 2014
University of District of Columbia
Obesity among adolescents contributes to the most recent changes to improve nutrition and health to the breakfast and lunch programs. Studies have shown that one in three American children is considered overweight or obese; and unhealthy school lunches are contributing to problems. Obesity rates amongst children have increase rapidly over the last 30 years; with dramatic repercussions for our children and society. Today’s children are eating too many snack-like foods and beverages, and not exercising enough. Only 1%-2% of US children meet the requirements (Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the National Nutritional Standards) for dietary intake. What can we do to prevent childhood obesity; or is the lack of education about nutrition, food supply, or access to healthy and affordable foods? The federal government has just launched a new battle to strengthen the nutritional requirements for school lunches. The major economic issue is that students receiving free or reduced-price lunches; tend to be from lower income families and showed higher obesity rates than those who did not participate in the lunch program. Students from lower income families rely on school meals to get the nutrients they need, so it’s very important for schools to offer healthy lunches. The NSLP is the second largest food and nutrition program. The NSLP operates in both public and non-profit private schools; providing a low cost and free lunches to over 31.6 million children. (C. Gundersen. 2011) Any student in a participating school is eligible for the NSLP lunch regardless of student’s household income. Free lunches are available to children in households with incomes at or below 130 percent of poverty. Reduced-price lunches are available to children in
References: Bhattacharya, J., Currie, J., Haider, S., 2006. Breakfast of champions? the school breakfast program and the nutrition of children and families. Journal of Human Resources 41, 445–466 Gundersen. C., et al., The impact of the National School Lunch Program on child health: A nonparametric bounds analysis. Journals of Econometrics (2011), doi: 10.1016/j.jeconpm.2011.06.007 Millimet, D.L., Tchernis, R., Husain, M., 2010. School nutrition programs and the incidence of childhood obesity. Journal of Human Resources 45 (3), 640–654 New Standards for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs www.medscape.org/viewarticle/740432 http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/newsroom-content/2013/04/school-meal-standards-may-help-reduce-obesity.html USDA calls for dramatic change in school lunches - USATODAY.com usatoday30.usatoday.com/yourlife/food/diet-nutrition/2011-01-12-schoollunch13_ST_N.htm The Economics of a Healthy School Meal - Welcome to Choices ... www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/article.php?article=86