The Problem Of Childhood Obesity And School Menus

The incidence of obesity in children is climbing fast and the blame, to some degree, is being laid at the door of schools.

Until now there has been no regulation of the foods provided by schools which have been left to provide whatever they have wanted to through school vending machines, cafeterias and snack bars.

However, a report entitled 'Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way to Healthier Youth' has now been published by The Institute of Medicine and The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detailing nutritional standards that schools are to comply with.

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 beverages offered in school should be restricted to Tier 1 foods.

Sports beverages ought only to be offered to students who are participating in high-intensity sports activities when such activity lasts for one hour or more.

Snack items ought not to contain in excess of 200 milligrams of sodium.

Foods and beverages should be caffeine free. This standard will not apply however to foods which contain naturally occurring caffeine-related substances providing they are present in only trace amounts.

Foods, snacks and beverages ought not to have more than 35% of their calories provided by total sugars. This standard will not however apply to 100% fruit or fruit juices that have no added sugar, 100% vegetable or vegetable juice which has no added sugar and unflavored non-fat and low-fat milk or yogurt.

Foods and beverages ought not to be used as a form of either punishment or reward.

Foods, snacks and beverages ought not to have more than 35% of their calories provided by fat. Additionally, no more than 10% of their calories should be derived from from saturated fats and they should contain no trans fats.

Snack items ought not to contain in excess of 200 calories per serving.

Drinks which contain non-nutritive sweeteners ought only to be offered to high school children and should only be permitted at the end of the school day.

Plain, potable water (water which is not carbonated, fortified or flavored) should be available to students during the day without any charge.

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 on schools menues 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.

More articles about obesity:

9 Steps To Tackle The Effects Of Childhood Obesity - Here are 9 simple steps which any family can take to help to tackle the effects of childhood obesity.

Determining Obesity In Children - Determining obesity in children is not quite as easy as it is in adults and we examine just how to tell whether your child is overweight or obese.

The Advisability Of Gastric Bypass Surgery In Teens - Although obesity in teens is rising and surgery is increasingly being seen as one solution, many surgeons are nervous about performing gastric bypass surgery on adolescent patients. A New study may however change this situation.

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