School lunches may increase childhood obesity risks

Being on the couch watching television or in front a computer screen for two hours per day increases obesity risk by 19 percent. Research found that school lunch has plays a major role in increasing obesity risk in youngsters.

A recent study of 1,000 sixth graders from different schools in Michigan, discovered that students who were regularly eating from school cafeterias are 29 percent more likely to be obese compared to those who eat homemade food in lunch boxes.

Almost half of the obese children from the study are school lunch regulars. While only a third of the non children eat the lunch from the school cafeteria.

The senior author of the study, Dr. Kim A. Eagle, Head of the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, states that the risk is increased because most school lunches are heavy on high-energy foods with low nutrient values – cheaper compared to household foods.

There is good news, however, since the Department of Agriculture passed a federal law that will give guidelines limiting the number of calories served at every school meal. There will also be a required diet program that will feature a variety of fruits and vegetables.