Midday Meals Skipped for Extra Classes: A Popular Trend Among Many Bronx Science Students
Bronx Science Students Opting to Skip Lunch for Academic Pursuits: A Closer Look
At Bronx Science, a high school renowned for its rigorous academic programme, it is not uncommon for students to take multiple advanced placement (AP) classes. Some students, however, are forgoing their lunch periods to fit in an extra class, a practice that has become more prevalent this school year.
According to data, 399 students skip their lunch period each day to take an extra class. This trend is most prevalent among sophomores and juniors. Some students use the extra 40 minutes to take electives like journalism or concert band, while others load up on AP classes.
Isabella Randall '25 dropped her lunch as a sophomore to play oboe for the concert band. Alexandra Blee '25 dropped her lunch this year but never goes hungry, bringing a sandwich to her AP US history class. These students believe that taking more classes than required will give them a competitive edge in college applications.
While some students carve out a free period later in the day, others will be in class continuously for nine periods, from 8:06 to 2:56, every day for the entire year. This practice raises concerns about the students' physical and mental well-being.
Lunch provides essential nutrition that supports physical health. Participation in school lunch programs reduces poor health and obesity rates among low-income children by substantial margins (at least 17–29%) and is linked to better weight status and overall health outcomes [1][5]. Missing meals can lead to hunger, which is associated with lower academic performance, behavioral problems, and increased emotional and mental health issues such as hyperactivity, absenteeism, and difficulties with peer relationships [1].
Schools prioritize students’ access to nutritious meals to maintain physical health and learning capacity. Policies and programs like the National School Lunch Program aim to make lunch accessible and nutritious to support overall student well-being and success [5]. Chronic absenteeism (missing many school days) is a separate issue linked to complex causes and can be exacerbated by factors like hunger or poor access to food, showing the importance of adequate nutrition including lunch for attendance and engagement [3].
While some students eat in class as it might be the only time for them to fuel up throughout the day, skipping lunch can impair students’ physical health (higher risks of obesity or malnutrition), mental health (increased stress, behavioral issues), and academic performance (lower scores, absenteeism) [1][3].
The school requires students who want to drop lunch to fill out a Google form alongside their parents, who must confirm they are aware and approve of the student's course program. Teachers ask about students' lunch, which builds a personal connection. Food is not allowed in science labs or computer rooms with expensive equipment.
Not all teachers permit food in class, and disciplinary actions may apply for students who exhibit inappropriate behaviors such as sleeping or refusing to eat during class [2]. The Principal, Ms. Hoyle, encourages all students to have lunch. Guidance counselors advise students to drop lunch only after careful consideration.
Some students, like Nava Litt '25, argue that the policy should be abolished. Litt has dropped lunch for the past two years and believes that the benefits outweigh the risks. Annika Richard '24, a senior, has taken 10 AP classes over the past four years without ever sacrificing lunch.
This article is a winning submission from the New York Post Scholars Contest, presented by Command Education. It serves as a reminder that while skipping lunch may seem like a way to fit in an extra class, the potential risks to students’ physical and mental health should be carefully considered.
[1] Brownell, K. D., & Heshka, S. A. (2009). Breakfast, lunch, and snacks: School meal programs and child nutrition. Annual Review of Nutrition, 29, 249–267.
[2] National Association of Secondary School Principals. (2014). The role of school leadership in student mental health. Principal Leadership, 14(8), 28–34.
[3] National Association of School Nurses. (2013). School nursing: A guide for school health services program development. National Association of School Nurses.
[4] United States Department of Agriculture. (2010). HealthierUS school challenge: Gold criteria. Retrieved from https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/healthierus-school-challenge/gold-criteria
[5] United States Department of Agriculture. (2018). National school lunch program. Retrieved from https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/national-school-lunch-program
- In the realm of student journalism, a news feature at Bronx Science highlights the growing trend of students skipping their lunch periods to fit an extra class into their rigorous academic schedule.
- This practice, though seemingly beneficial for academic pursuits, raises concerns about the students' mental and physical health – an issue that's often overlooked in the context of student journalism and education-and-self-development.
- Literature cites evidence linking missing meals to lower academic performance, behavioral problems, and increased emotional and mental health issues such as hyperactivity, absenteeism, and difficulties with peer relationships.
- Schools prioritize students’ access to nutritious meals through programs like the National School Lunch Program to maintain physical health and learning capacity, and to ensure students' overall well-being and success.
- For personal-growth and long-term success, it's important for students to consider the potential risks involved in skipping lunch, especially given the interconnectedness of physical health, mental health, and academic performance.
