Meat Study Highlights Need for School Lunch Reform

A huge new study shows that meat—especially red and processed meat—increases the risk of early death from heart disease and cancer. So why is the federal government still encouraging schools to serve students hamburgers, hot dogs, and pepperoni pizza? Let Congress know that students deserve healthful food. Sign PCRM’s petition asking for healthful vegetarian options in school lunches.

In a study published last month, National Cancer Institute researchers looked at the diets of more than half a million people aged 50 to 71 and found that those who ate 4 ounces of red meat a day—about the size of a small hamburger—were the most likely to die over the next 10 years. Beef, pork, bacon, sausage, cold cuts, and other red or processed meats all increased the odds of premature death from causes including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

White meat intake was similarly associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in men overall and among both male and female nonsmokers. Among individuals who had never smoked, higher white meat intake was associated with increased cardiovascular disease mortality in both men and women but with reduced cancer mortality.

The study authors also noted that the increased death rates found in study participants may be “conservative estimates because red and processed meat consumption may be higher in the general population.”

These findings should be compelling enough to make the general population rethink their McDonald’s and Pizza Hut lunches. Unfortunately, many students have trouble finding a healthful alternative to meat-heavy meals in the school lunchroom. Every year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture buys up millions of pounds of surplus beef, pork, and other high-fat meat products to distribute to cash-strapped food service programs.  The consequences of these unhealthy foods on children’s health are as dire as those found in the study participants.

The artery walls of overweight children are looking more like those of an average 45-year-old, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s 2008 convention. And one in three young people born in 2000 will develop diabetes at some point in his or her life.

Congress will soon have an opportunity to change those grim numbers when lawmakers revise the Child Nutrition Act, which regulates the National School Lunch Program.

“Students deserve healthy vegetarian alternatives to high-fat meat products,” says PCRM nutritionist Kathryn Strong, M.S., R.D. “This study clearly confirms the link between meat-heavy diets and increased risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. The federal government must encourage schools to serve healthful foods.”

Studies show that a low-fat vegetarian diet can help prevent obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Both the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association have passed resolutions supporting vegetarian options on school lunch menus.

You too can support vegetarian options on school lunches. Visit www.HealthySchoolLunches.org to sign PCRM’s petition asking Congress to help schools give students more vegetables, fruits, vegetarian foods, and healthful nondairy beverages. Then visit the HealthySchoolLunch.org cause on Facebook for a chance to win an iPod Touch or Shuffle.

PCRM Online, April 2009

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