Schoolkids are willing to eat healthy lunches…are you?

December 18th, 2007

A new study shows hope for the future generation’s healthy habits, as well as a glimpse of change for everyone.  The University of Minnesota has released a study which shows that children will continue to eat lunches offered in schools - whether healthy or not.  Disproving a few common misconceptions, the school lunch sales didn’t decline when healthier meals were served, and more nutritious lunches aren’t neccesarily more expensive to produce.

The study, which is published in the December issue of the Review of Agricultural Economics, analyzed five years of data for 330 Minnesota public school districts.  After looking into the numbers, they found that schools serving healthier lunches did not see a decrease in demand. 

According to the study, while serving better meals does entail higher labor costs; these costs are offset by lower costs for more nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables compared with processed foods.  However, many districts need to upgrad their kitchens and train their staff to prepare these foods. 

While students are eating more fruits and vegetables, it doesn’t mean they don’t sneak in a hot dog every once in a while…a turkey low-fat dog of course!  One of the researchers pointed out that she believes that “people underestimate the willingness of kids to eat healthier foods”.  These new improvements have most likely been the result of federal policy changes set in place in 2004. 

This study brings up an interesting argument between obesity rates in our population and the readiness of fast food and unhealthy options.  Of course there are many different studies, opinions and arguments on this particular topic, but it is a good example of what could be done at a larger scale.  If the option for healthy food was as the only available choice, what do you think would happen?

Source: CNN.com; Study: Schoolkids willing to eat healthy

Entry Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle Research, Weight Loss, Fitness and Health, Making Choices