School lunches are one of the main causes of childhood obesity because the lunches are so unhealthy. In fact, “Lunches averaged 800 to 900 calories -- much higher than federal guidelines -- and were loaded with salt” (Gaouette). Since lunches are this unhealthy, many parents, nutrition advocates, and physicians are going to Congress so that they can change the farm bill. The farm bill “sets the nation’s agricultural agenda every five years” (Gaouette). By changing the farm bill these people can make sure that students will have better cafeteria lunches. However, the rewriting of this bill was stalled last week in the Senate, which means that it might not be rewritten until next year. Still, advocates are happy because they believe that with more time they will be able to make a better case that the bill is causing the unhealthy food in schools. The Senate bill, right now, is a $288-billon bill that spends on more fruit and vegetables, but advocates think that the bill is more about subsidizing farmers, not eating right. In fact, these subsidies “make fast food less expensive than fresh fruits and vegetables” (Gaouette).
Thinking about the lunches that they served at my elementary school, or even at Chaminade, just makes me sick. Most my elementary school lunches, which I did not eat because my mom is a dietician, were tater tots, hamburger, and a small fruit cup (which no one really ate. Then I look at Chaminade, which is so much worse, students are eating greasy pizza with greasy french-fries that sometimes have salt flavoring. What does this all equal? This food equals fat, sodium, and obesity. Schools need to overhaul lunches completely, and hopefully changing the farm bill will help. I think the government is ignoring the facts about obesity because they have so many other things that they need to deal with overseas. However, this is an extremely important issue that needs to be faced right now. Now, farmers are making more money a year than the average American, but they are not helping our children. The Senate needs to focus on fruits and vegetables and make the school food healthier. If they do not, then the schools need to change all by themselves.
For more information: http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-farmbill25nov25,1,7067796.story
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Obesity is a matter of personal choice. Although it may be unhealthy, the government has no right to get involved with people's diet choices. If parents are concerned, then they shouldn't have their children eat that lunch.
School lunches may be fattening, but they are cheap. In order to add more fruits and vegetables, the school would have to charge extra. Many cannot afford it. Also, most students are really hungry and need something to satisfy them FAST! Most parents work a lot and cannot take the time out to make their children's lunches. By the time most people are in high school, they have tried to become independent of their parents and make their own decisions about what they consume.
I think that it is a good idea to regulate the food served at schools in a reasonable manner and within the schools means. I think that it is important especially at a young age to preach the value in a healthy diet and I think that should continue into school as well.
I feel like it's a good idea to regulate food served at schools across the country, but I feel like it is slightly an invasion of privacy. No one forces the kids at schools to eat the cafeteria food. I feel it is a matter of choice more than anything.
I think schools should take more responsibility, too much pros go to fast food, its fast, cheap, and less work and time. They should focus on heathier choices that are reasonably priced and something easy to pick up and eat just like a bag of chips. It takes so much bussiness to make fast food, what about some money to make healthier choices.
Obesity, although it is a personal choice, is still something the government needs to action about if it is helping cause it. In this situation, when students are only given certain types of food that (usually) unhealthy, and it is a government run school, then yes, the government should take action. However, if it is obesity in general, it is the consumer's faulty for their obseity.
Although i think that a lot of obesity does have to do with calories in calories out, it is also very genetic. Some people are more prone to eating and have slower metabolisms. However, i think that schools should definitely focus on getting healthier options. I mean the fruit bowl at Chaminade is just as expensive as an entire meal. crazy
I think its good that the health of our youths is becoming an issue for the government because the issue is finally getting the attention it deserves....the government should be somewhat responsible for ensuring that public schools offer well-balanced meal options while restricting the unhealthy choices.
Post a Comment