What Kids Eat at School Matters
More than 55 million children and teens attend the nation’s public schools-and eat about 35 to 40 percent of their daily calories there. It’s really important that those calories be healthy ones-especially since a third of the calories kids eat these days aren’t healthy ones. If we can make the food they eat at school healthier, it could make all the difference.
Both school meals and snacks sold at school are regulated as a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act passed by congress in 2010. There’s always room for improvement, but according to USDA, 93% of schools are serving meals that meet that higher nutritional quality–which is great.
However, kids still manage to eat a lot of snacks and treats offered in school as rewards, party food and fundraisers. It’s this food that can be the most problematic. Read more from the AAP.
One way to promote healthier eating in schools is to form (or join) a wellness committee. Following are resources to launch one at your kids’ school: