|
Obesity Guide
The Problem Of Childhood Obesity And School Menus
The incidence of obesity in our children is rising quickly and the blame, at least in part, is being laid at the door of our schools. As a result, it is no surprise that we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of articles talking about child obesity and cafeteria foods.
Until now there has been no attempt to regulate the foods provided by schools which have been free to provide whatever they have wished to through school cafeterias, vending machines and snack bars.
However, a recent report entitled 'Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way to Healthier Youth' has now been published by The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Institute of Medicine which details nutritional standards which schools are to adhere to.
The report begins by dividing food into two groups:
- Tier 1 foods which are foods containing at least one serving of fruit, vegetables and/or whole grain foods or non-fat or low-fat dairy products.
- Tier 2 foods which are food which are not foods specified as Tier 1 foods but which are nonetheless considered to be acceptable in nutritional terms in limited quantities. Tier 2 foods include such items as baked potato chips and whole wheat or animal crackers.
Having divided foods into two groups the report then lays down a set of standards which include:
- Foods and drinks on offer at school ought to be limited to Tier 1 foods.
- Foods, drinks and snacks should not have more than 35% of their calories provided by fat. Additionally, no more than 10% of their calories ought to come from saturated fats and they ought to contain no trans fats.
- Snack items should not contain in excess of 200 milligrams of sodium.
- Foods and drinks ought to be free from caffeine. This standard will not however apply to foods which contain naturally occurring caffeine-related substances as long as they are found in only trace amounts.
- Foods and drinks should not be used as a form of either punishment or reward.
- Foods, drinks and snacks should not have more than 35% of their calories provided by total sugars. This standard will not however apply to 100% fruit or fruit juices with no added sugar, 100% vegetable or vegetable juice which has no added sugar and unflavored non-fat and low-fat milk or yogurt.
- Drinks which contain non-nutritive sweeteners ought only to be offered to high school children and should only be allowed at the end of the school day.
- Sports drinks ought only to be made available to students who are participating in high-intensity sports activities when such activity lasts for one hour or more.
- Plain, potable water (that is to say water which is not carbonated, fortified or flavored) ought to be provided to students during the day without any charge.
- Snack items should not contain in excess of 200 calories per serving.
- The marketing of Tier 2 foods should be minimized by limiting the distribution points for such foods to low traffic areas of a school. In addition, the report lays down standards for the appearance of the exterior of vending machines.
- Tier 1 snack items should be permitted for after-school student activities in both elementary and middle schools.
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 snacks should be permitted after school in high schools.
As with most initiatives these days there will undoubtedly be considerable confusion in trying to work out just what is and what is not allowed and it will undoubtedly take some time for these standards to be adopted. Thereafter, only time will tell whether or not they will work and we will begin to curb
the rising obesity rate in children.
|
