Kids across the country go to school each day with bag lunches or money in their pocket to purchase lunch at the school cafeteria. For quite some time, kids in school could not get healthy foods during lunchtime, instead they were purchasing processed lunches or junk foods from their school cafeteria until recent legislation in certain states. A handful of states across the country have passed legislation that outlines the certain foods that kids can acquire in their school cafeteria. The legislation also determines what foods are placed into vending machines as well as the drinks available in vending machines at certain schools.
A frightening statistic floating around the country today is that two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese. Research shows that this trend starts way too early for most Americans. A study released in April claims that one in every five four year olds was already obese or somewhat overweight. The obesity weights are highest in American Indians, Hispanics, and Black children but the study shows that this ‘growing’ problem effects every demographic in the country. One place where children eat too much junk food is in daycares across the country. The study released in April also shows that close to three-fourths of children aged 2 to 5 spend at least a segment of their day in child care. Some of the legislation from specific states includes the following regulations:
- At least 60 minutes of structured physical activity and 60 more minutes of active free play.
- Not letting children sit for more than 30 minutes at a stretch.
- Only 1 percent or fat-free milk for kids 2 and older.
- No more than 6 ounces of 100 percent juice a day.
- No sugar-sweetened beverages.
If you feel that your child is becoming overweight you should schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician immediately. The pediatrician will be able to tell the parent about the child’s BMI (body mass index) and whether or not the child will become overweight in their early years of life. If your child is headed towards being overweight, the child and the whole family should employ healthy eating habits at home. It is easier for the person in question to eat healthy if he or she sees other family members doing the same thing. Leading by example for parents and older siblings can come in handy when trying to help another member of the family lose weight.
The following list details what is considered one serving in each food group:
Grains:
- 1 slice of bread
- 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta
- 1/2 cup of cooked cereal
- 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables
- 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables
Fruits
- 1 piece of fruit or melon wedge
- 3/4 cup of juice
- 1/2 cup of canned fruit
- 1/4 cup of dried fruit
Milk
- 1 cup of low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt
- 2 ounces of cheese
Meat
- 2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish
- 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, or 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat. 2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat.
Fats and Sweets
- Limit calories from these.