Changes in Public Schools Feeding Program: Improve on Nutrition - Research Paper Example

? Changes in Public Schools Feeding Program: Improve on Nutrition Changes in Public Schools Feeding Program: Improve on Nutrition The department of health have noted in the recent past the growing cases of childhood obesity and overweight conditions. The above conditions depend on environmental conditions where the children belong. Apparently, most children take their breakfast and lunches in schools making it difficult for their parents or guardians to control their eating habits. The proposed public health policy has sought to influence the eating habits in public schools with aim of reducing cases of overweight among children. This paper explores public health measures that seek to reverse the prevalent situation and the effectiveness of these measures. Economic issues The move to review the feeding habits in schools is has elicited mixed reaction in the society with majority in the education and health sector terming the move as bold. The idea behind the move is to reduce the alarming cases of overweight or obese condition among children (Hellmich, 2011). However, feeding depend on the economic conditions experienced within that environment. The proposal flouted by the public health has reduced sugar consumption as well as fats. The reduction of the above contents will reduce the amount spent in school budgets to feed the children. The need to evaluate the economic viability of the proposal focuses on sources of funding for the project. It appears that the proposal root for consumption of more vegetables whose chemical contents will reduce the effects of sugar and fat consumed (Hellmich, 2011). Since the proposal does not need an increase in food budget, it will be friendly to the taxpayers. Research report obtained from the department of agriculture have indicated that the since the introduction of the feeding program the budget has been increasing with increase in school enrolment (Crawford, 2011). Needs of the population served Eating habit largely depend on age. School feeding program handles the need of children in pre unit, junior grade, and senior grade. Dietary guidelines have provision for each age group. The provisions in the guideline provide for both genders. In normal situations, female tend to consume less calorie food when compared with male. The following dietary guideline provides specific food needs for various age categories. The target population for the feeding program consists of children who are between the ages four to age 12. Healthy eating practice demands that each age should take the amount of calories that they are able to burn. Special attention that this population requires is regulation of the amount of fat or calories they consume. Studies conducted in many public institutions indicate that about 20% of the total population of a school would make the right for choices (Crawford, 2011). This means that 80% percent would go for foods rich in fats, sugar, or sodium. The feeding program should regulate the content of fat consumed as well as fats. Exercise is a special need that the targeted age should conduct in large percentage. However, it is unfortunate that children board a bus to school and back home, spend much time sitting and dedicating little time for physical exercises. The habit denies this group time for physical exercise. It follows that a reduction in calorie content would reduce accumulation of fats that leads to overweight condition or obesity (Crawford, 2011). It is important to note that the stage targeted by the program is actively growing. Steps involved in the program Initiating the change in feeding program would change the state of feeding habit witnessed in schools. The proposal identified obese and overweight cases among the school-going pupils (Crawford, 2012). First, the debating the proposal with help experts is very essential because they will highlight areas that might require changes in relation to the targeted persons. Second, is to create awareness among the public and private institutions to review their plans of school feeding in accordance to the proposal. Third, implementation process must begin at school followed by homes. Parents spend very little time with their children, which mean that children take most of their meals in schools. A change in school feeding plan would reduce the amount of calorie consumed by each child every day. For instance, 90% of public schools are in the feeding program. A policy created by the public health would influence the feeding plan in these schools (New America Foundation. 2012). Federal government would collaborate with school authority to ensure that the proposed feeding program works. Recognition of parent contribution in facilitating the program is very important because of the psychological effect that the program is likely to create to the target population. Bringing parents into the program would eliminate resistance of some children to the plan. The project has observed that the quantity served currently is likely to reduce, increase, or introduce some foodstuffs that have absent previously. Benefit of the program The number of children suffering from overweight and obese conditions is a demonstration that feeding habits are responsible for the cases reported. The program with reduce content of the calorie consumed which will consequently change the rates of obesity in prevalent. Studies have indicated that the feeding program has relied on canned food making the conditions, which promote obesity high. However, the proposal has sought to increase consumption if green vegetable to counter the fat contents. The safety of the program is very critical because the government has to assess the viability of the program in relation to the safety of the children. The program will introduce safe food, which does not subject children to accumulation of fats or calorie build up. The risks of obesity threat had been the concern, which the program sought to review. Student from low-income families will benefit heavily because of the content of healthy food introduced through the program as opposed to previous foodstuffs (New America Foundation. 2012). Malnutrition is a condition that many low-income family children suffer because their families are unable to provide the target foods. Cost reduction is another benefit that the introduction of the program would bring to the society. The government spending on food will not only address issues relating to hunger, but will also address health spending. Reduction in obesity and malnutrition cases would reduce government budget on health. Conclusion Introduction of healthy eating habits would change the change the prevalent rate of overweight, malnutrition, and obesity among children. Since the program seeks to boost the health condition of school going children, it would reduce the budget spent in treating feeding related conditions as well as benefiting families with low incomes. The economic constraints dictate that the government should use innovative methods of handling its people. However, the success of the program depends on the plan or policies developed by the government to implement the same. School administration and parents must demonstrate support for the plan if it seeks to succeed. References Crawford, B. P. (2011). New Standards for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: It's the Right Thing to Do. Retrieved 3 May 2012 from http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/740432 Hellmich, N. (2011). USDA calls for dramatic change in school lunches. Retrieved 3 May 2012 from http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/food/diet-nutrition/2011-01-12-schoollunch13_ST_N.htm New America Foundation. (2012). The Federal School Nutrition Program. Retrieved 3 May 2012 from http://febp.newamerica.net/background-analysis/federal-school-nutrition-programs . Read More