Is School Lunch Healthier than Homemade?

  Obesity rates among children and adolescents have nearly tripled over the past 30 years.  In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just announced a $25 million dollar project aimed at reducing obesity among children ages two through 12. 
It's clear that inactivity and an unhealthy diet leads to weight gain in adults and children but could the lunches young people bring to school cause them to pack on the pounds?  A new study conducted by the Children's Nutrition Research Center in Houston finds packed lunches may not be as healthy as those provided through the National School Lunch Program. The study analyzed more than 2,000 lunches eaten by second graders.  It concluded that school lunches were more likely to contain fruits, vegetables and dairy products while those packed at home were more likely to contain high sugar/high fat snacks and non-100% fruit juice.  One of the researchers Jennette Palcic Moreno, PhD explains, "It's interesting because many parents may pack a child's lunch in order to provide a healthier option, but we actually found that when the kids were choosing their lunch from the lunch line, they were more likely to have some of those foods like fruits and vegetables that we're hoping that kids include in their diet."
  If you're one of those parents who's packing your child's lunch in hopes of making it healthier, aim to increase whole fruits and vegetables and reduce unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks.
  To watch a recent discussion on childhood obesity with Dr. Jay Perman of the University of Maryland, Baltimore click here:    http://obesitysummit.umaryland.edu/about-the-summit/we-have-to-tackle-this-issue-as-a-community/