It's not news that obesity is a serious and growing concern in the United States (and, increasingly, a problem in Canada, too). The American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a disturbing map on their website, showing the increase in obesity rates across the 50 states in yearly increments since 1985. The blue (healthy) states dominate as late as 1998. But by 2009, the colour-coded map of America looks like nothing so much as beautiful fall foliage, all oranges, yellows and reds, representing states where at least 20% of adults are obese. But the problem is not confined to adults, and is starting to have shocking health effects on children, including the early onset of diabetes and hardening of arteries usually only seen in unhealthy adults. According to the CDC, in 2008, the rate of obese children (0-17 years old) hit slightly more than 18%.

One elementary school principal in Chicago, concerned with the health of her students, has taken an unorthodox step: It has banned parents from sending their child to school with a homemade lunch. Children, unless suffering from a severe food allergy or another documented medical condition, must eat what is served in the school's cafeteria. This step was taken in response to what parents were sending their kids to school with for lunch: Soda pop and potato chips.

Unsurprisingly, this has not proven to be a universally popular step. Many of the kids are unhappy with the food that is being offered, but it's unclear whether that's because they would rather be eating greasy, salty fat and washing it down with cola, or if -as is certainly possible for a cafeteria -the alternative on offer is simply bad. Some parents are also upset at what they view as unwelcome interference in their role as their child's guardian. J. Justin Wilson, a researcher at the Center for Consumer Freedom, when interviewed by local media on the subject, raised a sensible objection: What if a parent wishes to send their child to school with a lunch that's even healthier than what the school is serving? He calls it another example of the government's propensity towards futile, one-size-fits-all solutions (one hopes that no pun was intended).

And then there's the money issue. Some of the children at the school qualify for a free lunch, or a partially subsidized lunch, because they come from low-income homes. For the others, the school charges a fee of $2.25 a day, per student. For a family with two kids in the school, that doesn't qualify for any state assistance, that's more than $22 a week. For those families that just barely escape qualifying for assistance, it's going to add up. Besides, setting aside the grander themes of parental choice and liberty itself, it's sad that a parent who wishes to lovingly carve a sandwich into the shape of a heart or slip a note into their child's lunch box is forbidden from doing so.

Those are the objections. But there are those who support the idea, including the school's principal, who says it came down to a choice to let the children keep drinking soda or make sure they get a glass of milk now and then. It will sound like state intervention to many, and indeed, it is exactly that. But if the childhood obesity epidemic is to be tackled, bromides about children being best off in the hands of their parents or warnings about government one-size-fitsall solutions aren't going to cut it. Adults should have the right to gorge themselves on whatever sweet or salty snack they favour, but does the right to parenting your own way extend to parenting in a way that will physically harm, and perhaps eventually kill, your child? It's not as clear cut as outright abuse, but it's not nothing, either.

Environmental factors such as upbringing and socioeconomic class are major contributors to the obesity epidemic (genetics are, too, of course, but can't be helped). With 34% of Americans classified as obese with another 32% deemed medically overweight, it needs to be asked where the kids are expected to learn healthy eating habits if not in school -fully two-thirds of the adults are bad role models in that regard, and simply might not know how to prepare a healthy meal without highcalorie, processed foods. Teaching the kids at a young age the fundamentals of healthy eating, and making sure they eat at least one healthy meal a day, might help to correct what is a rapidly becoming the leading public health risk in North America.

Simply banning lunches is extreme, as consumers should be given choice, and even children need to learn moderation eventually. The duty of the school should be to make sure it's an informed choice, by educating children from a young age what is good for them and what isn't, since it is clear that many of the kids simply aren't getting those lessons at home. The cafeteria should certainly serve up healthy meals as the default option, but keep in mind that it's OK to spoil kids with a tasty treat every now and then so long as they learn the healthy habits they'll need for a lifetime early on. If parents want to reinforce that at home, they should be commended for doing their duty. Many of their peers aren't.

Nachos for lunch? Yes, every day

It's lunchtime in a North Side high school, and the cafeteria lines snake into the hall. One line leads to fish nuggets, iceberg lettuce and canned peaches. Another is for burgers and breaded chicken patty sandwiches.

But the longest line leads to lunch workers grabbing paper dishes full of yellow corn chips, topping them with a ball of ground meat and then smothering the ensemble in hot orange cheese product.

Nachos, once an occasional indulgence at the ballpark or a festival, have become a staple entree in the Chicago Public Schools and other districts. The dish is on the menu every day in the city's high schools and regularly offered to younger students as well.

With 34% of Americans classified as obese with another 32% deemed medically overweight, it needs to be asked where the kids are expected to learn healthy eating habits if not in school -fully two-thirds of the adults are bad role models in that regard, and simply might not know how to prepare a healthy meal without highcalorie, processed foods. Teaching the kids at a young age the fundamentals of healthy eating, and making sure they eat at least one healthy meal a day, might help to correct what is a rapidly becoming the leading public health risk in North America.