A small boy with round, pink cheeks sits on a vacant swing set during the most dreaded time of the day. Recess. He hears other children laughing as the run and play with their friends on the monkey bars behind him. Hearing footsteps approaching he becomes nervous. He would rather continue swinging alone than interact with another peer. Each day he dreads going to school, in fear of more rude and hurtful comments from his peers concerning his weight. Childhood obesity is not only associated with ridicule and embarrassment in social situations, but also various health risk factors that can carry on into adulthood. These weight related health concerns can hinder the lives of both children and adults. During the school year students may eat up to five meals a week at the school alone. This is a great chance to feed these children healthy meals full of proper nutrition that they may not get at home. Preventing childhood obesity can lengthen and benefit the lives of many; therefore government control of school lunches is completely necessary and beneficial.

                Healthier school lunches can prevent lifelong health problems associated with childhood obesity. Overweight children and adolescents are more likely to experience health risks that are associated with cardio vascular disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type two diabetes. These types of health problems can severely hinder a child’s well being, as well as cause damage that can follow the child throughout his or her entire life. Constantly providing unhealthy sources of junk food to students can negatively impact their health over all. By offering only healthy food to students during the eight hours they attend school each day, students will likely not consume as much junk food which will result in avoiding damaging health risks.

                While healthy lunches will help prevent physical damage to a child’s health, it will also help prevent the psychological issues that are associated with childhood obesity. It is proven that overweight children are at extreme risk for social discrimination and non-acceptance from other peers. The social stigmatization and low self-esteem experienced by an overweight child or teen can hinder academic and social functioning which can damage the child’s self confidence permanently. Embarrassing and hurtful situations can easily haunt these children for the rest of their lives and may result in extremely low confidence and even depression. Healthier lunches can help avoid lifelong sadness and bad memories throughout these children’s lives.

                Childhood obesity is described as an unprecedented burden on children’s, teens’ and adolescents’ lives. However, the severity can be lessened simply by government control of school lunches. Although schools are by no means the only place kids obtain unhealthy foods, it can be a main source. By allowing the government to restrict and control what kids are offered at lunch, the health and well being of each child can be preserved.

                All in all, it is completely beneficial to the stability and future of students that the government controls what they consume at lunchtime during school. Without this control, many children would allow their weight to spiral out of control, not aware that it would soon hinder their bodies. With nutritious lunches being served, maybe the future will result in many healthy, strong adults. However, until then, the government should continue to enforce schools to provide healthy nutrition to all students.