Are Schools Really to blame for Poor Eating Habits?

[Lisa Newton]

Over the last few years, schools have taken a beating in the public's perception of their food programs. They are more often than not, sited as part of the cause of childhood obesity.

A recent New York Times article quotes several studies:

In the current issue of The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, researchers compared soda consumption among nearly 500 students in Maine, who attended seven schools over the course of two school years. Four of the schools cut back on their soft drink availability, while three of the schools made no changes.

Notably, all the students were drinking less soda by the end of the study period, but there were no meaningful differences in overall soft drink consumption among the different schools. The data suggests that curbing soft drink availability at school doesn’t result in meaningful changes in children's beverage consumption patterns. While there were no changes in overall soda consumption, there was a notable shift in diet soda drinking among girls. If the school cut back on soda availability, girls were less likely to drink diet soda, compared to girls in schools that made no changes.

This data was the latest to suggest that schools may not play as big of a role in kids’ poor eating habits as widely believed. Last year, The American Journal of Public Health published a provocative study showing that childhood weight problems often get worse in the summer, when kids are out of school.

What do you think? Are the schools doing enough? And how should parents deal with this serious issue?

[Your Best Life (Angie Hurst)]

My teen and I were discussing this just the other day. I had on "The Doctors" and they were talking to some moms who were appalled by what their kids were eating at school and were fighting to get healthier options. My son said the parents should just tell their kids what to eat. But I happen to believe that if you offer a kid a piece of cake or some carrots, he's going to choose the cake, so by taking the cake away, you're eliminating the temptation.

[Fake Food Free]

How interesting. Thanks for sharing. In my work with public health at the state level I had the very fortunate opportunity of seeing both sides of the story. I hate to see school food workers soley being blamed for children eating unhealthy. Many of them have their hands tied with what they can do and are often the target when we look for someone to blame.

Personally I think it is a multifaceted issue. It will take all of us working together to make changes - school, gov., parents, companies, etc. I will say I think healthy habits do start at home.

[David]

I agree that it is a very complicated issue; but the more I read about
overweight and obesity, the most problematic component of it is that
the trends keep increasing every year.

My humble opinion is that for everyone, young, teen, whatever age,
the first thing that should be done for advice to an overweight person,
is to give simple instructions--proper diet, exercise, and psychological/behavioral
treatment.

That's essentially the best and most efficient answers
we have now, why keep waiting?

I know I'm probably oversimplifying it--but as with any another
problem in life, the first thing that must be done is to face it
head on.

As to the blame game that absolutely must stop--it accomplishes
nothing.

[Lynn]

From time to time, I am in our local elementary school doing part-time sub work. I notice many times that children will go through the lunch line and pick out healthy foods. The problem is some, not all, do not eat them. They have extra money from home for ice cream and this is what they will eat first. I feel that the school can only do so much and that good eating habits begin at home. If children are allowed to have dessert without eating a healthy meal first, this is going to carry into their away from home life. As children grow older, they need to take responsibility for their food choices.

[Alyssa]

A couple of years ago there was a series (on TLC, I believe) in which Jamie Oliver, the chef, went into public schools in England and overhauled the menus, without changing the budget. At first it was hard to get the kids to change, but over time, it was a big success, and the kids started making better choices outside of school, as well.
I don't believe that schools are entirely to blame, but they certainly don't help, lol!
There are also plenty of studies that show that a healthier diet leads to better school performance. Those of us with kids and school, as well as nutritionists, health experts, etc., need to work with school districts to find healthier options that don't break the budget.

[DR]

At my nephew's school they banned all junk food...no vending machines and the cafeteria only sold "real food".

The result?

Some enterprising kids started their own black-market convenience store out of their lockers.

I hate to say it, but forcing the schools to raise our kids is just an exercise in political correctness. Parents may not be able to stop their kids from ever eating junk food, but at least they can keep it out of their homes.

And i don't buy the excuse that times are tough and that junk food is cheaper than fruits and vegetables. When I was in university, I had next to no money and I survived and thrived on rice, tuna, powdered milk, frozen vegetables, canned soup and water.

[David]

Good point DR,

LOL...I remember in University rice was many times the ONLY
thing I had money to eat...with mustard sauce.

So I agree with you on both points--schools from the study
don't make a huge difference in how kids will eat; and the
"times are tough" argument holds zero water.

At least with me too.

[Becky Williamson]

I think that children's eating habits are mostly developed at home. Kids will follow the general patterns of their parents. If mom and dad eat a ton of junk food, high fat meals and low-nutrition convenience foods, it's a sure bet the children in the household are eating that way.

That said, I'd like to see schools keep soft drinks off campus. It helps to send the message that soft drinks aren't the best beverage of choice. In addition, serving healthier fare at school also sends a good message to kids. I still think they'll find ways to eat non-nutritious foods, but if we (parents) can set good examples at home and schools can provide nutritious choices at school, we've got two areas of a student's daily life where they're being shown/taught good alternatives.

Bottom line, schools should follow good, sound, nutrition principles with regard to the food and beverages they provide their students. Setting a good example at school is great. However, good eating habits, in my opinion, begin at home.

Becky Williamson, M.S.
www.beckywilliamson.com
www.lifesportfitness.net

[Susana]

I totally agree with you Becky! Everything starts at home... manners, nutrition, and so on.

As for nutrition, I was so lucky that my children followed me (& my husband) in our adventure of changing our lifestyle. They even improved it now!

Unfortunately not everybody is the same. As it was mentioned before, it is a very complicated topic.In addition, with this weak economy, family & schools are struggling with less budgets for everything. So some people could care less about what they eat now.

[Passionate Green]

Of course the schools are to blame - they educate the kids on everything else, they certainly should educate them about eating properly. And talking about nutrition in health class and then offering junk in the cafeteria is so counterproductive.

Our local schools have nutrition advisers to plan "healthy" menus based on government criteria. These menus include options such as frozen pizza, chicken nuggets, canned fruits, and way too many beef-based meals such as sloppy joe, cheeseburgers, tacos, etc. The fresh vegetables and milk they offer are not organic. In other words, these foods are only marginally better than a lunch of Doritos and Coke.

[riverbender]

I don't know if schools are to blame - I think there's plenty to go around - but they certainly aren't helping!!

I used to eat ice cream for lunch. What happens when you eat ice cream for lunch? Sugar crash. First thing I would do when I got off the bus in the afternoon was go buy a candy bar or two. Then of course I'd need a nap.

At least my kids can get a salad. My daughter always did. Son? No way. Boys don't eat salad!! Boys eat uhm, Pepsi. ;) I actually stopped giving him lunch money - if he wanted to eat like that he was going to have to pay for it himself!