Childhood Obesity and the Role of School Lunch

The increased incidence of obesity among the nation's children has become an epidemic and is now considered a public health crisis by United States policy makers. In 2002, Congress directed the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to investigate the problem further and develop a plan of action to reduce the increasing numbers of overweight and obese children. In response, the IOM formed a committee of experts in childhood obesity, health, nutrition, physical activity, and public health to address the issue. The IOM has identified schools as an excellent place to reach children and influence positive changes in nutrition and physical activity (IOM, 2004b ). This is especially true with regard to meals provided at schools since the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) estimates that more than 95 percent of children and youth are enrolled in schools (Wechsler, McKenna, Lee, Dietz, 2004) and every school day approximately 28 million of those children are served by the National School Lunch program (NSLP). Students can be influenced to make more nutritious choices in their school diet with the appropriate school food environment according to school-based intervention studies (IOM, 2004c). In consideration of the aforementioned, the IOM committee's recommendations call for the Federal Government to develop nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools. Additionally, State and local school officials are being urged to enhance the nutritional quality of food and beverages provided in schools (IOM, 2004b ). This paper will review the history of the NSLP, current recommendations for change regarding all foods and beverages offered in schools, independent programs implemented throughout the country thus far, and any outcomes realized.Master of Public Healt