Is Your Child’s School Making Them Unhealthy?

Prior to the creation of the computer and smart phone, most children played outside. They ran, jumped, rode bikes, and played creative games all the while socializing with their friends. Rarely did they break routine to run inside for a “snack.” So long as the three basic meals were supplied, they made do unless they had money and permission to go to the store. And even then, it wasn’t called snacking. Whatever oversalted and sugary item that was ingested was a treat and it was later run off with ample amounts of physical activity.

Today’s children are far less active than those of the past. And since Covid, the word “snack” has become intrinsic as a necessity and an impulsive means to overburden our digestive system rather than a healthy and small portion of nourishment to hold you over until mealtime. Today, many of the children in the United States are experiencing health problems at an alarming rate. According to the National Institute of Health, nearly 1 in 5 children have obesity. These children are susceptible to developing health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, they are more likely to suffer from mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Unfortunately, the statistics are even worse for children of different backgrounds. About 1 in 4 Hispanic and Black children have obesity. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/overweight-and-obesity/childhood-obesity  Why then are these communities allowing their schools to contribute to this dilemma?

As a teacher, I always kept snacks for my students. I didn’t give them away every day. They were used as treats to encourage academic competition and occasionally as a bribe to get a child who was willingly being mischievous to complete their work. In my early years, I made a conscious effort to only supply healthy snacks. In fact, on the mornings of state exams, I would lug breakfast items on the train from my apartment in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn to my job in the South Bronx. I would have orange and apple juice along with fruit and a few other items. Even though they had free breakfast in the cafeteria, I knew that some of the students couldn’t make it to school in time to eat and the food wasn’t as inviting. The real catalyst came one day when I sat my homemade lunch on my desk and a student asked, “Miss, what is that?” He was pointing to a granny smith apple which is green in color (my “snack”). I told him it was an apple. He replied that he had never seen an apple like that before. I offered the apple to him so that he could try it, but his suspicion kept him from taking it. Since he lived in a food desert, he had only seen red apples. This episode took place 5 years before the Obamas got into office and Michelle went to war on changing the dynamics of serving healthier food items to children in schools.

Which brings me to lunch today. Kudos to Michelle Obama for making the effort to do something so impactful for our children. Lunches across America have taken on a different look since I was in school. I can attest to the nutritious meals and options that are available to today’s students. There is only one problem, some of the students reject the meals because they are used to eating junk and meals heavily weighed down in cheese, salt, sugar, and saturated fats from being deep fried. There is also the issue of the “school store” which is popping up at high schools in most major cities and their surrounding areas. These so called fund raising mini markets are becoming alternatives to eating real food for many of our students. The justification is that students are stopping at the corner stores before school starts and buying unhealthy items anyway so why not capitalize off this. The school store makes it easier for the students to get their junk in school, all the while raising money for the school trip or some other event.

I get it and I understand the rationale. In fact, I have even purchased items for my students from the school store to help support fundraising efforts. However, there are some underlying factors that we need to consider.

1. Most schools have no regulations regarding eating in classrooms. The onus is placed squarely on the teacher to become the villain. Students are being disruptive in class while eating these items. Noisy paper wrappers are being opened while teachers are trying to address the classroom.
2. Students are not focused on getting their work done and papers are turned in with food stains.
3. Some students are intentionally littering the floors as a means to annoy teachers and to get a rise out of their friends. This tactic is also used as retaliation against a teacher when a student doesn’t get the grade they think they deserve. And at no time do these individuals give any consideration to the work that they are leaving behind for custodians. In fact, some believe that it is the custodian’s responsibility to clean up after them. (What happened to respect for our elders?)
4. There is also concern for students with ADD, ADHD and other forms of underlying conditions that are physical and mental. Many of the students purchasing these items have IEP’s that support the above conditions. While some take heed to what is taught at home and will avoid eating things that may throw off their hormonal balance, others may not have been taught how to eat and even if they were, they may still be defiant and eat the stuff anyway.
5. It is commonly understood across all research that the intake of sugary and salty processed foods is associated with increased learning attention  and behavioral challenges.

So, how do we combat the unhealthy eating habits of our students that are being encouraged in school settings? I have a few ideas to share with any individual or group who has the desire and power to make these changes. I can be reached at (516) 986-8464 or at KindredConceptsLLC@outlook.com.

This is another Paige from my book.