Childhood Obesity and School

Lunches

Maisie Weinschenk

Monday, March 4, 13

The Problem

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.

Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes.

Obese children and adolescents are at a greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems.

Research finds children who eat school lunches from the federal government's National School Lunch Program are more likely to become overweight.

Once adults, obesity causes a risk of health problems, diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer.

Monday, March 4, 13

School Funded Lunches

Monday, March 4, 13

School Funded Lunches

The U.S Department of Agriculture oversees the federal lunch and breakfast programs.

Students who regularly eat school lunches are 29% more likely to be obese compared to kids who brought their lunches from home.

Many schools feel it’s cheaper to feed children cheap high energy, and low nutritious foods.

Schools generate revenue by selling more school lunches so they cater menu to children’s taste. I.E: Tater-Tot Day

Monday, March 4, 13

New Policy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IB7NDUSBOo

First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack set new standards for school meals.

The Healthier meal requirements are part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

The new act ensures students are offered both fruits and vegetables everyday of the week

Increases offerings of whole grain-rich foods

Limits calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size

Monday, March 4, 13

New USDA Standards

USDA built their new rules around a panel of experts by the Institute of Medicine.

The Institute of Medicine is the gold standard for evidence-based health analysis

The new rules are expected to cost $3.2 billion over the next five years.

Comparably, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual medical costs in the U.S for obesity-related diseases total $147 billion.

Monday, March 4, 13

http://blogs.payscale.com/.a/6a00d8341bf85853ef01676717c04f970b-pi

Monday, March 4, 13

Opposition

New bill would tear apart the new standards by the Agriculture Department.

Food companies that produce frozen pizzas for schools, the salt and potato industry as well as conservatives in Congress say the federal government shouldn’t be telling children what to eat.

Monday, March 4, 13