Back-to-School: Pack a Healthy Lunch So Your Kids Don't Pack On the Pounds

17/08/07 With America's obesity epidemic increasingly impacting our youth, a healthy, nutritious lunch is perhaps the most important item you can pack for your child on the first day of school and throughout the school year. The beginning of the school year presents the perfect opportunity for parents to teach their kids good eating habits -- beginning on day one.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the percentage of children who are overweight or obese tripled between 1980 and 2000 and type 2 diabetes is at an unprecedented high among this group. According to Daniel Hale, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, "Ten years ago we saw very few cases related to diabetes and obesity but today 75 percent of the referrals we see in our clinic are related to both in children. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for us to see 12- and 13-year-old patients who weigh 300 pounds."

An April 2007 report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences states unequivocally that the school environment plays a vital role in shaping children's life-long health and dietary patterns. Parents can help their kids stay fit and healthy by providing well-balanced lunches that are low in saturated and trans fats, high in lean protein and rich in vitamins and minerals.

"By packing a lunch that includes lean proteins like canned tuna, along with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy, parents ensure that their children get the healthy foods they need to stay mentally and physically fit," said Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RD, co-author of The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers and co-founder of MealMakeoverTV.com.

A Tidal Wave of Science Supports Fish

In October 2006, the Institute of Medicine released a report that said consuming at least two seafood meals per week is safe and beneficial for American families. A growing body of evidence, including studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, The Lancet, and The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, proves that the lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids in fish, including canned tuna, are essential for building a strong body and mind. Omega-3s are proven to increase mental acuity and decrease the likelihood of developing diabetes, obesity, asthma and inflammatory disorders in children of all ages.

The FDA has repeatedly stated that tuna is a beneficial food for families. In addition, the American Heart Association recommends that children eat at least two servings of fish each week to reap its numerous health benefits.