Childhood Obesity and the School Nutrition Program

Childhood obesity continues to be a serious problem in the United States and elsewhere.  In the U.S. it has been reported that about one-third of children are either overweight or obese.  In fact a recent paper (free to download) has suggested that while adult obesity rates have stabilized, the rates of childhood obesity continue to rise, particularly in 6-9 year old boys.  Childhood obesity has been linked to numerous health and quality of life (e.g. increased likelihood to be bullied) issues.  Childhood obesity is a complex issue that has many causes including decreased physical activity, increased exposure to digital media, increased availability of unhealthy food choices, and more.

A recent study that has not yet been published suggests another possible link to childhood obesity, the National School Lunch Program.  A press release from Georgia State Univeristy briefly discusses this new research.  For this new study, the investigators assessed the possible relationships between childhood obesity and both the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.  The results of this analysis suggested that children who utilize the National School Lunch Program are at an increased risk for becoming overweight.  Interestingly, the study showed that children who utilized both the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program were not as heavy as children who used only the National School Lunch program or who didn't use either program.

Fortunately, some schools are starting to make progress in regards to removing less healthy choices and making healthier food choices more available.  Additionally, one of the focus areas of the newly released White House Task Force report on childhood obesity, Solving The Problem of Childhood Obesity Within A Generation, is increasing the availability of healthier foods in schools.  Some of the recommendations in this report include:

• Updating nutritional standards for school meals and improving nutritional quality of commodities provided to schools.
• Providing training to school food service professionals.
• Connecting school meal programs with local growers and using 'farm-to-school' programs.
• Aligning foods sold at schools with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

While this new research study shows a link between childhood obesity and the National School Lunch Program, there appears to be some hope that this is an area that will be addressed in the near future.  While no one strategy will reduce childhood obesity on its own, this is a step in the right direction and has the possibility of being effective when combined with additional strategies to reduce childhood obesity.  While adult obesity rates might have stabilized, if childhood obesity rates continue to rise, we are likely to see another rise in adult obesity in the future.

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