Students toss school lunch fruits and veggies in the trash: study

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A new study has found that many school children in the US are throwing their fruits and vegetables in the trash despite the passing of legislation that healthy meal options are served at schools.

A small study by University of Vermont researchers found that there has been more than 50 percent increase of lunch food wastage among schools in the US. CBS News reports that the researchers took photos of the lunch trays of students at the beginning and end of their lunch and how much food they are putting in their trays. They found that while the kids put more fruits and vegetables, most of it goes to the bin.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was placed into effect in 2012 and was strongly championed by First Lady Michelle Obama in the hopes of improving the quality of school meals.

Sarah Amin, lead author of the study, was disappointed over the findings of the study.

"We saw countless children just going to the disposal area and just immediately throwing it out without even proceeding to sit down and try to eat the apple," Amin told TODAY, referring to one cafeteria visit where the kids were asked to take one apple each to eat to comply with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements.

Amin and colleagues suggested approaches for more fruit and vegetable consumption. According to Medical Daily, the team found that children preferred "processed fruits and vegetables" such as "fruit juices and tomato paste on pizza." They also found that for fruits and veggies to be eaten, they are either sliced and served with dips or serving them with other foods as well.

Amin also pointed out that the USDA guidelines need time since it was only enacted in 2012. She added that consumption of fruits and vegetables will increase once children who go to school under the new USDA guidelines as they will find it of norm.

"The overall goal of these guidelines is to improve children's dietary behaviors and ultimately address the childhood obesity epidemic, and so there needs to be patience to allow children time to adjust," Amin explained as reported by CBS. "Change takes time. This really rocks the school nutrition world. We have to have patience with this and not give up hope yet."

NBC News reported that under the new USDA rules enacted in 2012, schools will be required to give fruit and vegetable options for their students. In addition, they are to add more whole-grain foods, have less sodium and fats in the foods they offer, as well as offer only fat-free and low-fat milk. The menus will be portioned according to the required nutritional needs of each child to help improve nutrition and prevent childhood obesity.