School canteens and school vending machines offer food service to students between the school hours of 9am to 3:30pm. Students are a captive market, who are usually unable to purchase food from external sources during the six hours they are at school. The students main food supply comes from the school's canteen, built to attract their customers through a variety of junk food. School Canteens must provide healthy and nutritious food for children. These food choices may disadvantage children in their social, psychological and great physical development. Eating healthy however can provide children with all the essential nutrients to be fit and healthy, increase their energy levels which can promote good eating habits. It is vital for the school to ensure their canteens are providing the most healthiest diet for their students.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet provides nutrients for the body. These nutrients give energy to keep the heart beating,the brain active and muscles working. Healthy eating can also prevent children from reaching the stage of obesity. The number of overweight children in Australia has doubled in recent years, with a quarter of children considered overweight or obese. It is estimated that 3 million five hundred thousand children are obese in Australia, 2013. Causes of obesity in children include unhealthy food choices, lack of physical activity and family eating habits. This rise in the number of overweight children is disturbing as it can result in further sicknesses and diseases. Further illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke can be huge health hazards to children. These diseases are now the world's biggest killers, causing an estimated 35 million deaths each year 60% of all deaths globally, with 80% in low and middle-income countries. Overweight and obesity in children are among the most important risks to children's long and short-term health.
