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01-14-03, 03:33
Study: U.S. Schools Failing in Nutrition
Mon Jan 13, 2:19 PM ET Add Health -
By Suzanne Rostler
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When it comes to offering healthy meals, US middle schools are not making the grade, a study suggests.
The report found that students consume an average of 31 grams of fat in school lunches--nearly one half of the 65 grams of fat that is recommended as a maximum each day, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. These lunches also contained about 10 grams of saturated fat, the amount recommended for the entire day.
Breakfasts, which were available at some schools, contained an average of 14 fat grams while snacks sold in student stores and as individual items in cafeterias contained between 6 and 13 grams of fat each, report researchers in a recent issue of Preventive Medicine. Bag lunches brought from home contained about 21 grams of fat.
The findings reveal that US schools are not meeting US Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition recommendations that school meals contain about 30% of their calories from fat, 15% from protein and 50% to 60% from carbohydrates.
And because food sold in student stores and vending machines tends to compete with food sold in the cafeteria and is not regulated by the USDA, it may be contributing to unhealthy eating habits.
Indeed, their study found that the most popular a la carte entrees in schools were baked desserts, fast foods, chips and frozen desserts and contained 9 grams to 16 grams of fat each. While students in wealthier school districts were more likely to buy these items, schools in poor districts stocked more fatty items, the study found.
"Students' access to soda machines, unhealthy foods sold in student stores and a la carte lines, food rewards like pizza parties and candy, and a lack of physical activity throughout the day all contribute to the obesity epidemic," Michelle M. Zive, a registered dietitian from the University of California in San Diego and the study's lead author, said in an interview.
She suggests that schools offer students low-fat versions of popular items, lower the prices of low-fat foods and offer soda only after lunch or after school. Additionally, longer lunch periods would allow students to eat their entire meal.
"Oftentimes, fruits and vegetables are thrown away because of lack of time to eat (them)," Zive explained.
The researchers collected data on three to five days worth of food brought from home and served at 24 middle schools in San Diego, California, and interviewed students about their daily menu choices. More than half (57%) of the students were white and 39% of students were eligible for free or low-cost meals.
All of the schools participated in the National School Lunch Program and 46% served breakfast.
"The school food environment...is in continuing need of improvement," the researchers conclude.
Mon Jan 13, 2:19 PM ET Add Health -
By Suzanne Rostler
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When it comes to offering healthy meals, US middle schools are not making the grade, a study suggests.
The report found that students consume an average of 31 grams of fat in school lunches--nearly one half of the 65 grams of fat that is recommended as a maximum each day, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. These lunches also contained about 10 grams of saturated fat, the amount recommended for the entire day.
Breakfasts, which were available at some schools, contained an average of 14 fat grams while snacks sold in student stores and as individual items in cafeterias contained between 6 and 13 grams of fat each, report researchers in a recent issue of Preventive Medicine. Bag lunches brought from home contained about 21 grams of fat.
The findings reveal that US schools are not meeting US Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition recommendations that school meals contain about 30% of their calories from fat, 15% from protein and 50% to 60% from carbohydrates.
And because food sold in student stores and vending machines tends to compete with food sold in the cafeteria and is not regulated by the USDA, it may be contributing to unhealthy eating habits.
Indeed, their study found that the most popular a la carte entrees in schools were baked desserts, fast foods, chips and frozen desserts and contained 9 grams to 16 grams of fat each. While students in wealthier school districts were more likely to buy these items, schools in poor districts stocked more fatty items, the study found.
"Students' access to soda machines, unhealthy foods sold in student stores and a la carte lines, food rewards like pizza parties and candy, and a lack of physical activity throughout the day all contribute to the obesity epidemic," Michelle M. Zive, a registered dietitian from the University of California in San Diego and the study's lead author, said in an interview.
She suggests that schools offer students low-fat versions of popular items, lower the prices of low-fat foods and offer soda only after lunch or after school. Additionally, longer lunch periods would allow students to eat their entire meal.
"Oftentimes, fruits and vegetables are thrown away because of lack of time to eat (them)," Zive explained.
The researchers collected data on three to five days worth of food brought from home and served at 24 middle schools in San Diego, California, and interviewed students about their daily menu choices. More than half (57%) of the students were white and 39% of students were eligible for free or low-cost meals.
All of the schools participated in the National School Lunch Program and 46% served breakfast.
"The school food environment...is in continuing need of improvement," the researchers conclude.