Canteens: junk food is growing in middle and high school
A study carried out in more than 600 municipalities and schools (colleges and high schools) shows that junk food is growing in these establishments in order to save money or to offer fast food to the detriment of children’s health.
The UFC Que Choisir study clearly demonstrates that there is a real problem in school canteens, particularly in colleges and high schools. The study shows that the public and private sectors are both concerned and even that the private sector tends to offer more junk food than the public! It also highlights the so-called expensive ingredients such as fish, meat, raw vegetables and fresh fruit, which are often replaced by cheap minced products. This choice as well as catering in the form of self-catering considerably increase the presence of fatty and sugary products harmful to health, particularly those of adolescents and young adults.
The study that can be found on the site Que Choisir (see the sources, at the end of the article, to access the complete study in PDF format) is very complete, offering even for those who are interested the analysis detailed menus of the 606 municipalities and schools used for this study. The 27-page study clearly shows us that the establishments offer products that correspond to the tastes of the students but also products that are quite low in cost but have no real nutritional value or health benefits, but there is everything the same goes for the progress that has been made, such as the presence of starches, vegetables and dairy products to vary the menus.
It is to be hoped that through this study, schools will from now on make the right choices for the health of their students by offering them a healthier diet that is more in line with the legislation put into force in 2011.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.