Do school meals cause childhood overweight and obesity?
The causes of childhood overweight and obesity are complex and multifactor: parent eating behaviors, lack of exercise, increased TV, video game and computer time, increased advertising to kids, etcetera. Before children reach their second birthday, many American children are developing the same eating habits that plague the nation’s adults; too much fat, sugar and salt and too few fruits and vegetables. Schools have to meet the USDA meal guidelines for 30% or less fat and 10% or less saturated fats.
The causes of childhood overweight and obesity are complex and multifactor: parent eating behaviors, lack of exercise, increased TV, video game and computer time, increased advertising to kids, etcetera. Before children reach their second birthday, many American children are developing the same eating habits that plague the nation’s adults; too much fat, sugar and salt and too few fruits and vegetables.
