USDA responds to teens' complaints over new school lunch standards

(WXYZ) - The USDA is now responding to teens' complaints that the new school lunch guidelines leave them hungry during the day.

Teens at a high school in Kansas posted a video parody on YouTube where kids are singing "We Are Hungry." It shows students pretending to be fatigued and athletes collapsing from hunger.

Students across the country have pushed back against the new school lunch guidelines that went into effect at the beginning of the school year. They say meals being offered don't fill them up and leave them hungry later in the afternoon.

Under the guidelines, elementary school cafeterias can only serve meals containing 650 calories or less. Middle school cafeterias are limited to 700 calories and high school cafeterias are limited to 850 calories. Schools were also required to double the amount of fruit and vegetables served at lunch. There are also limits on the amount of protein and carbohydrates served.

The Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, says the new guidelines are an effort to fight childhood obesity.

"This is really about our children and the health of our children. And making sure we do a better job of providing fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy and whole grains," Secretary Vilsack said. "Why? Because a third of our youngsters are obese or at-risk of being obese."

Secretary Vilsack said he understands that some children will be hungry in the middle of the day. He said the Obama Administration is now working on developing a snack program for schools that will help solve this problem.

He also encouraged parents to pack snacks for kids, especially student athletes, so they have something to eat before practice.