Share

The week of October 10 – 16, 2010, was proclaimed as National School Lunch Week in the US to remind Americans about the importance for children to have access to nutritious and balanced meals. Eating a healthy school lunch is essential to help them get the most out of their active day. Most of all, it is an opportunity to reflect on the critical role the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) plays in promoting the health and well-being of children.  NSLP and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) are operating in public schools across the country with the intent to serve nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to 31 million children each school day. However, according to a recent study children who eat school lunches that are part of the federally sponsored meal program are more likely to become overweight.

Today, one in three children in the US is overweight or obese.  According to a report by the U.S. Task Force on Childhood Obesity, 94% of school meals failed to meet nutritional standards, mainly because they exceeded the limits for fat, saturated fat and calories.

The average school lunch is far from perfect and improving its quality will continue to be a challenge.  Changes in diet and habits is not only the responsibility of the school system, but a colaborative effort that also depends on the support and participation of parents.

Source: FoodSafetyNews.com and ScienceDaily.com

Tags: National School Lunch Program (NSLP), National School Lunch Week, School Lunch, USA