Michelle Obama’s initiative to combat childhood obesity, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, has recently undergone serious criticism, especially with parents and teachers across the nation who are upset by the scanty meals that students are receiving. Three weeks ago, a Youtube video called We Are Hungry, a student-driven protest against this new lunch policy, went viral, drawing further attention to the First Lady’s seemingly good intentions. Although limiting the amount of food children are receiving at schools may initially seem effective, especially with the recent health epidemic affecting many teenagers, the indirect consequences of such a policy render it counter-productive to both the schools and the students.
The purpose of this initiative was meant to provide for a healthier diet while eliminating hunger and undernourishment of students in American schools. The policy further encourages the replacement of sweets and fat-filled foods with improved choices, such as fruits and vegetables, in addition to banning 2%/whole milk and rationing potatoes and peas. But the initiative simply doesn’t attain these goals.
The first disadvantage to having a lunch limited to 850 calories is that students are simply left hungry throughout the school day. For children, especially growing teenagers and student athletes, a health, filling diet is necessary for them to be active and focus in class. “Now [lunch] is worse-tasting, smaller-sized, and higher-priced,” says a senior at a Wisconsin high school, echoing the arguments of many conservatives in the government. But the problem to this policy doesn’t end there.
As students are left with a meager lunch, they begin spending more on snacks or sodas sold in vending machines at the schools. This worsens the problem and leaves students with no other option but to indulge in unhealthy choices. Furthermore, the economic ramifications of Obama’s lunch policy are detrimental for the school board. For example, Mukwonago High School, Wisconsin has undergone a 70% decrease in students buying school lunches.
The problem that the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act attempts to address is a relevant, recurring issue prevalent among many children in American school systems. However, the approach that the act implements constitute more problems than solutions, and thus, it ought to be repealed.
