Sugar In School Breakfasts Research Paper Example

This research paper contends that there is a dire need for a reduction in sugar intake level in school meals to maintain a healthy diet and reduce the risks of obesity. Increased intake of sugar has been linked to obesity, high blood pressure, changes in the metabolism, and damage to the liver, in my research process, I came across an article titled "Sugar In School Breakfasts: A School District's Perspective” by Jennifer Lengyel et al. the book was very insightful as it stated facts concerning the school lunch programs, the ways in which school districts have reconstructed their menu to reduce sugar intake, and the challenges faced in the following the guidelines set by the USDA.

The article outlines the history of the school lunch feeding programs and gives an overview of their purpose and how the program has evolved over the years (Lengyel et al., 2015). The article also points out the various bodies that have championed for the reduction in sugar intake and how they have impacted and shaped the movement (Lengyel et al., 2015). The article provides information on how "The USDA has strived to improve student health and reduce childhood obesity through HHFKA" and how "recent enforcements of the additional breakfast requirements affect sugar content in school breakfasts" (Lengyel et al., 2015). The article has proved useful in expounding on the measures taken in the reduction of sugar content and acknowledging the challenges in the enforcement of guidelines towards the same.

Another aspect that made the article useful was the manner in which information was presented. The data was not based on the author’s opinion but simply facts presented and supported by tables representing the summary of current regulations set by the USDA, regulations set on the required meal patterns, and samples of meal patterns such as the Houston ISD Nutrition Services Program (Lengyel et al., 2015). 

Breakfast is especially important in providing nutrition and improving academic performance, according to research cited by the Food Research and Action Center. In an effort to improve access to breakfast at Houston ISD, in 2009 we began implementation of a program called First Class Breakfast that offers free breakfast to all students at all of our schools (Lengyel et al., 2015). The article provides data that can be verified and not just opinion and that makes the research unbiased, and therefore useful in providing accurate information.

Most of the information provided in the article is consistent with the USDA regulations which “administers national school lunch and breakfast programs" (Su, 2013). The article clearly explains how the different types of breakfast services offered by the USDA regulations are implemented thus giving a clear insight on what level of sugar intake is contained on the standard meals (Lengyel et al. 5). Furthermore, the article compares these intakes to the Institute of Medicine recommendations provided for a clear understanding of the recommended intake and how achievable the recommendations are (Lengyel et al. 6). This inclusion of reliable data sources such as the USDA and recommendations of the Institute of Medicine indicates that the article has articulate data and can, therefore, be relied upon.

I agree with how the article clearly articulated the origin of the argument, the legislative position assumed by the institutions charged with these programs, the current situation in terms of controlling the sugar intake levels in school meals, and the challenges and alternatives encountered in an effort to reduce sugar intake. The article explains how as a result of increased childhood obesity, the government created a minimum set of nutritional standards and meal plans under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 to create solutions to the problem highlights the article dedication in painting a picture of the events that led up to the moment (Lengyel et al., 2015). 

The final aspect in support of this article's argument is its date of publication. The article is recent, and therefore, provides information that can be adopted in research methodology. A good research material provides information that is recent and speaks to the situation experienced or the data used at that moment in time. The provision of statistics and data based on reliable sources such as the USDA and the HISD further solidifies that the data provided is from reliable sources.  

In conclusion, this article is applicable, contemporary, factual, and backed by studies, and therefore a good source of research. The article sticks to the whole argument which is a reduction in sugar intake and seeks to explain the different alternatives used to maintain sugar levels in school meals. The article also provides statistical data on how the implementation is done in school districts in states like Houston and the efficacy of the process. The article concludes by providing recommendations on ways that can further help in implementing the argument. The article provides information that is useful to my argument thus deemed a reliable source.