Introduction

It's no secret that the quality of school lunches has been declining for years. As a result, our children are becoming obese at alarming rates and developing health problems at young ages. The root of the problem is that schools are serving unhealthy foods to our kids, and these foods are contributing to the obesity crisis in America.

The Dangers of Obesity

There are many dangers associated with obesity, especially in children. Some of the most common health problems associated with obesity are type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint problems, and respiratory issues. In addition to the physical health problems associated with obesity, there are also mental health problems that can arise. Children who are obese often suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. It's important to note that these health problems don't just go away when a child loses weight; they often persist into adulthood.

The Connection Between School Lunches and Obesity

So how do school lunches contribute to the obesity epidemic? The answer is simple: schools are serving unhealthy foods to our kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one third of children in the United States are considered obese or overweight. And while there are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity, studies have shown that eating unhealthy foods is one of the main culprits.

School lunches often contain processed foods

Unhealthy school lunches often consist of processed foods that are high in calories, fat, and sugar. These foods might taste good, but they offer very little in terms of nutritional value. When children eat these unhealthy foods on a regular basis, they become more susceptible to weight gain and obesity. In fact, studies have shown that children who eat unhealthy school lunches are more likely to be obese than those who don't. 

School lunches are high in unhealthy fats and sugars

One of the main reasons why school lunches are high in unhealthy fats and sugars is because they are often subsidized by the government. This means that schools can get food items like chicken nuggets and pizza for cheaper than they would normally pay, so they tend to serve these items more often. Additionally, many schools have contracts with fast food chains like McDonald's, which means that students can buy cheap and unhealthy meals from these restaurants right on campus.

School lunches are often served in large portions

School lunches are often served in large portions because schools want to make sure that their students have enough energy to learn and focus in class. However, this is not the only reason why school lunches are often served in large portions. Schools also serve large portions because they want their students to eat as much as possible so that they will be less likely to complain about the food and ask for something else instead.

The effects of serving unhealthy large portions

Serving large portions for school lunches is bad for children for a number of reasons. For one, it can contribute to the obesity crisis in America. Additionally, it can also lead to health problems at young ages. Large portions of unhealthy foods can have negative consequences on a child's health, both in the short and long term.

The short-term effects

Short-term effects of large portions of unhealthy foods for children are obesity, poor nutrition, and health problems. Obesity is a major health concern for children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Today, one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese. This increases their risk of developing serious health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and sleep apnea. Poor nutrition can also lead to health problems in children. Unhealthy foods can cause deficiencies in important nutrients such as vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. This can lead to problems such as anemia, stunted growth, and tooth decay.

The long-term effects

The negative consequences of the long-term effects of large portions of unhealthy foods for children are vast. Not only do these children become obese, but they also develop health problems at young ages. These problems can include diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. All of these health complications can lead to a shortened lifespan.

The high cost of school lunches

One of the main reasons our children are becoming obese at young ages is because schools are serving unhealthy foods to our kids. But another contributing factor is that many low-income families can't afford to provide their children with healthy meals. The high cost of school lunches often prevents these families from providing their children with nutritious food, which can have devastating consequences for their health.

Why unhealthy foods cost more

Unhealthy foods cost more to produce than healthy foods, because they require processing with machines to produce and package. Unlike processed foods, healthier foods can be bought in bulk and can be cost effective when make a meal together from multiple ingredients. That's why junk food companies spend millions of dollars on advertising each year - they know that if they can get kids hooked on their unhealthy products, they'll be able to make billions in profits. So it's up to us as parents to demand healthier food from our schools, or else our children will continue to suffer the consequences.

Conclusion

It's time for a change. Our children are suffering from the consequences of poor nutrition, and it's time we did something about it. We need to demand healthy food options for our kids in schools. We need to advocate for better nutrition standards in schools. And we need to provide our children with the tools they need to make healthy choices for themselves. Only then will we see a decline in childhood obesity rates. Only then will we see a generation of kids who are healthy and happy.

Sources:

"School Lunches Are Unhealthy and Contributing to the Obesity Crisis in America" by L. K. Barlow, published on Edutopia, https://www.edutopia.org/blog/school-lunches-unhealthy-contributing-obesity-crisis-america-linda-k-barlow

"The State of School Lunches" by Bettina Elias Siegel, published on The Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bettina-elias-siegel/the-state-of-school-lunch_b_5299243.html