SAN ANTONIO -- High-tech cameras are photographing what San Antonio kids eat in school. It's part of a $2 Million dollar research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to better monitor children's nutrition.
W.W. White is one of five S.A.I.S.D elementary schools that will help get the new pilot program off the ground. The four year study involves nearly 200 students as participants. The new technology aims to cut down on childhood obesity and diabetes.
Cameras in the cafeteria will snap a shot of the food kids pile onto their trays, and a second shot of the their trays before kids throw them into the trashcan.
"So that when you subtract what's left over from what was served, we'll know exactly what they consumed," explained Dr. Roberto Trevino, Director for the Social and Health Research Center of San Antonio. Trevino says digital imaging analysis will not only keep track of nutritional values and count calories -- the monitoring system will also hold schools accountable for improving what's served up in the lunchroom. "If we can delineate and accurately measure the nutrition of a child, we can develop better programs to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes."
Parents like Amelia Avila are on board with the program. "The fact that children like certain foods doesn't mean it's good for them," commented Avila.
But others, like Margaret Nunez, say good nutrition starts at home. "I don't think [the cameras] would really help," commented Nunez. "Because if kids can come home to the chips and the cookies after school, what good would it do to monitor them at school?"
"As parents, we have to teach them what the need to be eating," agreed Nelly Gutierrez, the mother of an elementary-aged child. "More healthy foods."
The study starts next school year. All participating children received parental consent. Researchers hope to eventually bring the cameras into every school cafeteria in the country.
