School Lunch Choices and the potential link to Childhood Obesity

This thesis examines the types of food within the National School Lunch Program that is provided to elementary school aged children in The United States of America and the link that these foods have to contributing to childhood obesity rates. Further explored are the physical education practices that these children participate in daily or weekly during the school day. An additional component to this thesis are the personal food consumption choices that these children make at home. The research participants were compared by ethnic groups which enabled the researcher to compile data that mirrored the obesity rates and trends provided in current data. There were many elements that lead to the conclusions of this research study. One factor that compromised the findings were the sample size as well as the lunch choices each individual made during the school week. Another element was that the research participants participated in physical activity on a daily basis at school and home.