The new regulations on public school lunches – championed by First Lady Michelle Obama and passed into law in 2010 – recently went into effect. This week, news coverage across the country has shown how these new requirements are leaving many school children hungry, not healthier.I am outraged by the Obama administration’s pursuit to regulate seemingly every aspect of our lives – down to even the food our children eat at school. Moreover, these new regulations are not only empowering government rather than parents, but are also negatively affecting the health of our children and grandchildren.
According to KidsHealth.org’s “A Guide to Eating Healthy for Sports,” active teens require 2,000 to 5,000 calories per day to adequately meet their growth and energy needs. However, the new regulations limit the intake to just 750-850 calories. These overly prescriptive, one-size-fits all requirements are depriving many students from their necessary calorie intake, leaving them hungry throughout the day. Furthermore, the strict menu requirements with limited food choices are resulting in some students forgoing lunch altogether.
This is exacerbating the problem of both child hunger and unhealthy eating habits and negatively impacts students’ performance in the classroom. The number of calories children need to be healthy – differs from student to student and from grade level to grade level. For these reasons, Representative Steve King (IA-R) introduced H.R. 6418, the “No Hungry Kids Act,” which would eliminate the calorie limits on school lunches.
As a mother, grandmother and nurse, I certainly understand the importance of our children and grandchildren getting nutritious lunches. Childhood obesity has tripled in the last thirty years. At home and in the classroom, we must teach our children about the importance of leading active lives and developing healthy eating habits. Improving education and empowering parents, not government are key to ensuring the health of our children and reversing the growing rates of childhood obesity.
