The Importance Of Healthy Eating And Reducing Child Obesity

In 1946 President Truman signed into legislation that children living beneath the poverty line would receive free or reduced lunch. This would be the start of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Free or reduced lunch for students who live in low income homes was intended to make sure lower socioeconomic children grew up to be healthy adults. The importance of healthy eating for children in the United States first started in the 1940’s with concerns that men who did not pass military entry exams had not received proper nutrients. Truman learned that children who had little to nothing to eat would not pass the military exam. This population was also more inclined to enlist in the military. With time the program has expanded to include free breakfast and a snack before leaving school. Michelle Obama is a strong and powerful advocate for healthy eating and reducing child obesity. These policies have now shifted to focus more and more on the healthy aspect of the meals of ch ildren for better learning. Overall the main goal is creating strong and healthy children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In the process also keeping costs as low as possible. When President Truman began the NSLP program he had the best intentions set on the well-being of children. Unfortunately, as most free services that are given they have an unintended consequence. For instance, that administrators attempt to keep costs down results in high municipal waste that could not have been forShow MoreRelatedChildhood Obesity And Its Effects1384 Words   |  6 PagesChildhood obesity is on the rise and has seen a dramatic increase over recent years. The percent of children facing obesity today is 18% and has doubled over the course of 30 years.1 With 2/3 of the adult population being overweight and obese it is no surprise that children are following the trend. 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