Researchers argue that childhood eating habits affect adulthood, and that improving nutritional balance in meals is necessary
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While many people understand the importance of a nutritionally balanced diet during childhood, even in developed countries, there are many cases where children do not eat a balanced diet. 'Childhood dietary habits affect not only growth but also adulthood, so adults and schools should proactively work to improve nutritional balance,' argues Kelly Rhodes, a researcher in the School of Science and Engineering at Teesside University in the UK.
Why are school lunches still so unhealthy?
https://theconversation.com/why-are-school-lunches-still-so-unhealthy-120811
The trend of obesity is increasing among children up to high school age, especially in developed countries, with the UK ranking in the top 20 countries for obesity. The number of obese children at the time of graduating from primary school doubles compared to before entering primary school, and the number of obese children is increasing even further in secondary school.
Rose points out that this is due to British children's unhealthy diets, which are based on nutrient-poor, processed foods. British girls are lacking nutrients important for health (PDF file), such as vitamin A, folate, and iron , and other young people are lacking nutrients necessary for development. Furthermore, research shows that only 4% of British teenagers consume the recommended daily amount of dietary fiber, a significant health concern given that fiber reduces the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Teens also consume more sugary foods and drinks than other age groups, and prefer sugary cereals for breakfast , Rose says.
Research has shown that the reason for the increase in obesity among children in the UK is that 'families lacking in wealth cannot purchase the fruits, vegetables, fish and other healthy foods that are important for meeting the nutritional needs of their children.' Research has also shown that a nutritionally unbalanced diet not only has a negative impact on children's physical health, but also leads to a deterioration in their mental state as they are unable to perform at their best at school.
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These nutritional deficiencies are partly due to the choices they make. By middle school age, choosing healthy eating isn't considered cool, and if everyone else is choosing sweet foods and juices, they tend to choose the same.
Additionally, many students skip lunch because they feel they don't want to wait in line to receive lunch, or because they feel uncomfortable with teachers being in the cafeteria, Rose said, creating a vicious cycle of satisfying hunger with sweets and other unhealthy foods.
The background to this problem is the failure of campaigns to promote the importance of 'food education' in British secondary schools. British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been working to improve school lunches in British public schools, but even after 10 years of work, there are still many schools that serve meals that are high in fat and sugar. Oliver himself has admitted that his efforts to improve the nutritional balance of school lunches have failed.
In the past, school lunches in the UK have been the subject of criticism for being 'too bad.'
A photo of a terrible school lunch taken by a 9-year-old girl spreads, leading to improvements in school lunch menus - GIGAZINE
However, it has been found that childhood eating habits
One possible approach would be for schools and students to discuss ways to create a better cafeteria environment, and for cafeteria menus to be made healthier. Food advertising and food development also need to incorporate the perspectives of children's growth and nutritional balance. Rose also emphasized that parents can support their children's healthy eating habits not only at school but also at home, highlighting the importance of actions such as offering sliced fruit instead of snacks to children who come home hungry.
by silviarita
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