Children who rely on school lunch programs have a higher likelihood of becoming overweight, possibly because of the food served through those federally funded programs, according to a report by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The report found that children in the South, Northeast, and rural America who rely on school breakfast and lunch programs for one-third to one-half of their daily meals are especially susceptible to becoming overweight. Researcher Wen You said the report shows a need for school meal programs to include food that is nutritious and appetizing to children.
This article appeared in print with the subtitle “Students in Government-Funded School Meal Programs at Higher Risk of Being Overweight.”