Childhood obesity has become such a problem that few deny something must be done to deal with the issue. To that end, the time may be approaching when junk food in public schools is a thing of the past, as the Obama administration begins a legislative push on the issue of food in public schools.The administration is counting on the issue being less controversial than in the past when issues over whether the feds or local entities should control school lunches divided the Congress. This may be why the administration is putting First Lady Michelle Obama’s popularity on the line by having her head the issue. The administration also highlighted the issue in the State of the Union address. Now, according to Gardiner Harris’s article for the New York Times online, legislation may be coming soon.
Harris reports that the legislation would ban candy and sugary beverages from schools and more nutritious offerings would be available instead. In a speech US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was supposed to give to the National Press Club today, the secretary was going to call for vending machines in schools to be filled with healthy choices so it easier for children to choose healthy alternatives for snacks.
Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR), who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, has said the legislation is a big priority and that she plans to introduce legislation dealing with the issue “within” weeks. Yet, Chairman Lincoln may not have the support from Republicans as Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA), the ranking member on the Agriculture Committee, has not said he could support a ban on junk foods though he believes schools do play a role in the issue of childhood obesity.
According to Harris, the legislation would be part of the reauthorization of the government’s school breakfast and lunch programs. Some school officials are afraid such legislation could “further crimp already strained budgets.” The problem may be requiring schools to offer more nutritious selections, which could be more expensive. To that end the administration “has proposed spending $1 billion more each year on the $18 billion meals program, but the increase may not be enough to cover extra costs.”
Still the National Parent Teachers Association supports the legislation, as do medical advocacy groups. There would be exemptions in the bill for bake sales and other “occasional offerings of sweets.”
Harris reports the industry opposition to proposals such as this has waned as many companies now offer healthy options, like bottled water, that could still be sold in vending machines under potential guidelines. For their part, the American Beverage Association says industry does not desire a federal ban to deal with obesity.
As this legislative session of Congress unfolds we shall see what shape and support childhood obesity legislation actually has.
To read the New York Times article, click here.
Posted: 02/08/10
