Many schools across North Carolina are implementing high-tech menu boards in cafeterias. Some of these new menu boards will show key nutritional information for student meals, including calorie and fat content. The boards have created some controversy over whether this information is helpful or potentially harmful to children and youth. Some nutrition experts believe that the menu boards will help children to make healthy eating choices; however, some eating disorders experts feel that emphasizing calories and fat to children, especially teens, may lead to eating disorders. Heidi Limbrunner, a nutrition advocate from the Center for Disordered Eating, believes it is more important to promote eating and exercising for health. She commented:

"The most frequent ages of the onset of eating disorders are between 14 and 18. ... By encouraging kids to count calories, I think it sends a message that you should be dieting ... and dieting is one of the biggest risk factors for eating disorders."

(Source: www.news14.com)

Labels: nutrition, schools

Posted By: Aspen Education Group