Causecast

by ERIN SWAN, Causecast Editor

Despite decades of efforts to make lunches healthier in public schools across the U.S., obesity remains on the rise and budget cuts leave many public schools falling short of providing students with nutritious meals. Because of the recession, some students can no longer afford school lunches, while districts are also forced to reduce the amount of aid they can give.

Unfortunately, unhealthy processed foods are cheap. Obesity statistics from 2009 reveal that the number of overweight American children has more than tripled since 1980. Poor eating habits negatively affect children’s health and put them in jeopardy of developing both Type II diabetes and heart problems. If children today continue to struggle with obesity, they may become the only generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This problem needs immediate attention. Many states and cities are taking action to change school lunches and keep children healthier.

For example, private donations to the Promise Academy in Harlem, New York gives students daily home cooked meals with healthy entrees and fruits and veggies.

Similarly, the city of Santa Monica, California has passed a law that mandates that salad bars are stocked with greens from local farmers, available to students at every school in the city.

Many nonprofits are also getting involved in the cause. Better School Food, from the makers of “Two Angry Moms,” support parents and volunteers working on the grass roots level to change the food children eat at school and after school programs. Both the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Kaiser Permanente are giving money to schools for healthy lunches and the William J. Clinton Foundation even stopped major soda companies from selling soda to students in middle and elementary schools.

Studies from 2005-2009 show that health correlates with academic success. If we want children to succeed, we need to start caring about their health. Children who eat well and engage in physical activity are more likely to test well, behave better, and stay focused. As Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former US Surgeon General, said, “You cannot educate a child who is not healthy and you cannot keep a child healthy who is not educated.”

How can we help fix this problem?
• Persuade organizations and individuals to donate money to schools for healthier meals – health is worth the cost.
• Prepare healthy food for your children at home so fruits and vegetables always stay a part of their diet.
• Join the Healthy School Lunch Campaign to help schools improve their lunch programs.
• Follow Santa Monica’s lead and help bring locally grown produce to your school! The website farmtoschool.org gives instructions on how to receive grants for the program.
• Check out Ann Cooper (from Berkeley’s) website The Lunch Box. Whole Foods Market, gives schools affordable recipes and different ways to change school lunches for the better. Videos and nutritional information are included.This is a perfect site if you’re serious about taking action. The Lunch Box gives you all the tools you need to build a case and bring healthy food to your children’s cafeteria.

Photo by Bruce Tuten, flickr.