Food Behaviors in Schools: An Analysis of Eating Habits

This report examines the evolving landscape of food behaviors in schools, highlighting the impact of changing eating habits and the rise of obesity and chronic diseases. It explores the influence of food and agricultural policies, technological advancements, and socioeconomic factors on dietary choices. The report analyzes the challenges within the school food environment, emphasizing the need for adherence to nutrition standards in school meals and competitive foods. It references key studies and statistics to underscore the urgency of addressing these issues, advocating for changes in eating behaviors to promote public health. The report concludes by emphasizing the role of schools in shaping healthier eating habits and preventing obesity among children, with references to relevant research and policy recommendations.

Running head: HEALTHCARE
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Title: Food Behaviors in Schools

HEALTHCARE
In the recent years, the eating habits in many nation has changed dramatically. People
could improve their health status and well-being by reducing consumption of excess calories,
added sugars and saturated fats. Having their diets rich in calcium, whole grains and fruits
and vegetables would much reduce cases of obesity (Story, Kaphingst, O’Brien and Glanz,
2008). According to Story et al. (2008), changes in food cultures and eating habits have been
driven by food and agricultural policies, advancements in technology, social, economic and
lifestyle changes. Convenience foods are readily available at a lower price and in large
quantities. In schools, the eating environment has changed. At homes, parents are working
even till late, therefore fewer family meals.
Kramer-Atwood et al. (2002) think that the start point to fight the pandemic of obesity
and chronic diseases among the school children is by changing the school food environment,
which they claim it is faced with a lot of challenges. Breakfast, lunch and supper meals must
meet some specific nutrition standards but foods sold in addition to these main meals should
not necessarily adhere to these standards. Bevans, Sanchez, Teneralli and Forrest (2010) add
to the school eating habits by claiming that school meals adhere to the federal and state
policies. Lunch should provide at least a third of the recommended daily food and nutrition
for the children. If the food policies and guidelines are not adhered to, cases of obesity and
chronic diseases will continue to worsen in the nation (Budd and Volpe, 2006). Too,
considering the social and health consequences and economic costs brought about by this
pandemic, there is a need to change the eating behaviors in schools and for everybody across
the nation. Statistics show that overweight cases among children have tripled over the past 20
years (Budd and Volpe, 2006).

HEALTHCARE
References
Budd, G. M. and Volpe, S. L. (2006). School-based obesity prevention: Research,
Challenges, and recommendations. Journal of School Health, Vol. 76, No. 10, pp.
485-495.
Kramer-Atwood, J. L., Dwyer, J., Hoelscher, D. M., Nicklas, T. A., Johnson, R. K. and
Schulz, G. K. (2002). Fostering Health Food Consumption in Schools: Focusing on
the Challenges of Competitive Foods. Vol. 102. No. 9, pp. 1228-1234.
Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., O’Brien, R. R. and Glanz, K. (2008). Creating Health Food and
Eating Environments: Policy and Environmental Approaches. The Annual Review of
Public Health, Vol. 2008, No. 29, pp. 253-257. Doi:
10.1146/annurev.publhealth.29.020907.090926