Childhood Obesity Less Where School Food is Healthy

By Mariah Pittman - Medical Research Editor | October 26th, 2012

Obesity is an issue that can begin as early as childhood.

In recent years, the increasing prevalence of high-fat, high-sugar foods and beverages in children’s diets has led to rising obesity rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in 2008 that more than a third of US youth were obese or overweight.

With this in mind, more research is being done to discover how childhood obesity can be controlled.

Recently, Reuters Health reported that fifth graders in states with laws governing the nutritional content of foods and beverages sold at schools gained 0.44 body mass index points (a measurement of weight in relation to height) than their counterparts in states without restrictions.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also stated online that students from fifth to eighth grade in states with restrictive food laws were less likely than in states with weak laws to remain overweight or obese because they were able to drop excess pounds.

The study findings come at the same time as the US Department of Agriculture makes changes to its standards for food sold at schools to meet the specifications of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Having healthier food programs in schools may be the way to cut costs caused by obesity-related health issues that are weighing on the nation’s health care system.

As well, it can help individuals avoid adult obesity and the expenses that can come with this, such as bariatric surgery, a weight loss surgery that involves reducing the size of the stomach, removing part of the stomach or re-routing the small intestines to a small stomach pouch.

Unfortunately, for some, diet changes are not enough and their window for changing childhood eating habits has long passed. If this is the case, consulting a weight-loss surgeon (bariatric specialist) may be a suitable option.