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Does Your Student Eat A Hot School Lunch
Or Cold Junk?
By: John Hart
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 mandates that
high schools have a local wellness policy and program in place by July
1, 2006, to promote more healthful food choices by students.
However, a recent study of 271 public high schools by Penn State
researchers, published in the February issue of the "Journal of the
American Dietetic Association," names three reasons why some high
school wellness programs already in place, aren't working.
The study says:
1. 25% of the wellness program directors report that lunch periods are
scheduled before 10:30 a.m. Early lunch periods produce higher a la
carte sales.
2. A la carte sales generate almost $700 per day per school among
schools surveyed, with $450 of that income coming from a la carte items
that do not meet federal school meal requirements.
3. The existence of soft drink machines owned by soft drink companies
correlated with a higher number of vending machines per student. The
study showed that more vending machines reduced participation in the
school hot lunch program.
75% of sodas and 85% of snacks sold in school vending machines are junk
foods. Many schools have found that replacing junk foods with healthier
foods and beverages, such as bottled water, yogurt, fruit, juice, etc.,
has not hurt the school revenue, and in some cases has actually
increased revenue.
What can parents do?
Make sure you know how healthy your local school environment is and
what needs to be improved. Visit with food service directors and ask
these four questions: 1) What do kids eat when they are at school, 2)
Is junk food readily available? 3) How much time is provided for
physical activity? And 4) What can be done to make the school
environment healthier?
Not all current school wellness programs restrict the sale of high-fat,
high-sugar snacks and sodas during the school day. Know what your local
school policy is, or will be, because proper nutrition greatly
influences a student's learning ability. Which of the three reasons
named in the Penn State study could you improve at your student's high
school?
Article Source: http://www.articleinterchange.com
Mr. Hart is the author of "Killer Bird Flu...Get Ready Now!" and a
medical journalist/researcher. He, and co-author Brook Andersen,
recently attended the world's largest nutraceutical show, where the
focus was on how to live a healthier and safer life with a better diet
and nutrition. Learn more at www.buynanomask.com.
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