Are School Lunches Making Kids Fat

Kate Coler [CALL-er] wants advice.

As the Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the USDA, she's concerned about the growing problem of obesity.

Sixty percent of adults are obese or overweight, and obesity has become the second most prevalent cause of preventable death, just behind smoking.

She says that one of the most helpful parts of the forums has been listening to the concerns of school children.

TAPE: One thing we have already heard from students is that they like having healthy choices in their schools, and I think schools are beginning to meet that demand of students, certainly through our Federal School Lunch Program. And I think that we're starting to see students ask for healthy choices. And so, they can play a critical role in what's available to them just by raising the issue.

A quick survey of middle school students at the Manchester forum supports Coler's observations.

Kids 1-5

The New Hampshire Department of Education says most of the state's schools follow the guidelines of the National School Lunch program.

Under this program the USDA regulates hot lunch menus.

It does not, however, specify what can be served a la carte. Items served a la carte can include potato chips, fruit, or simple sandwiches.

Sherri White of the Department of Education says local school districts make these choices:

TAPE: There are some schools out there who have started to look at the creation of policies surrounding the competitive foods that are sold. Competitive foods can be those things that are sold on the lunch line that compete with the National School Lunch Program, or can be sold in the vending machines.

School districts such as Nashua and Grantham are working to develop healthier a la carte options.

Some will place restrictions on fat and calorie content for these foods.

The USDA's Coler announced the Agency will soon unveil what she called new items to address the children's concerns. As to the nature of these items, Coler was markedly ambiguous.

For NHPR news, I'm Rachel Estabrook