...Removing Junk Food from Public Schools Christopher Bisping ILR 260 Dr. Dee Griffin February 2013 Abstract Should junk food be removed from public schools? Those who support removing junk food from public schools say that it has no real nutritional value, and disrupts children’s learning capabilities. They also say that junk food is a leading factor of childhood obesity. On the other hand, those who oppose removing junk food from public schools say that it eliminates sources of funding that the U.S. government doesn’t provide. They also say that it usurps the responsibility of parents, and violates the First Amendment. To overcome the obesity epidemic, and give the children the nutrition they need to learn and become productive citizens we need to remove junk food from public schools. Removing Junk Food from Public Schools For the first time, the United States (U.S.) government is proposing standards to ensure schools serve more nutritious foods, ultimately leading to a ban on serving or selling junk food. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is setting new rules requiring schools to sell items such as water, diet sodas, baked chips, and low-calorie sport drinks instead of junk food. Lunchrooms will also be required to replace fatty à la carte items like nachos and fried cheese sticks with healthier items like low-fat burgers, fruit cups, yogurt and healthier pizzas. While some schools in the U.S. have already made improvements to their menus, schools...
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...believe Students should Consume Junk Food LaVonia Sauls Kim Sale ENGL 1102 CC 30 Mar 2015 Junk Food Should Be Banned In Schools For many years now, obesity has become a problem for our nation and especially for the children growing up in society today. In our generation, a lot of parents are finding it harder to prepare their kids breakfast and lunch, let alone prepare meals for themselves. Like a new trend, skipping breakfast has become quite popular in schools with many students coming to school unfed. This result has led children to eating unhealthy foods like fried food sold in the cafeteria, or snacks out of the vending machine. But this isn’t the answer, not only are the students already under-nourished from skipping breakfast, but they are digesting a large amount of fat and unhealthy food. Because child obesity is on the rise and school officials feed students greasy, salted unhealthy foods, the use of vending machines and junk food should be banned. There is a law going through congress right now about banning junk food in schools, and before you form an opinion, open your mind to see how the quality of life is being affected by junk food. Junk food can be so destructing towards your well-being and we all know that it makes people overweight. According to an article by the Irish Independent, “Globally, about twenty two million children, under the age of five, are overweight or obese” (Irish Independent Par 6). First of all, junk food leads to many weight and health...
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... What are some effects of child obesity? Child obesity has become an epidemic problem that is affecting the whole world. In the U.S, obesity has caused children many health problems and conditions. Some of the health problems that obesity causes are diabetes, asthma and heart diseases. These complications can be caused by a series of factors that can be contributed by TV, computer games, lack of safe playgrounds and other factors that encourage children to be sedentary (Collins, 2002). From the factors mentioned before, the things that are attacking the kids of this generation are mainly the video and computer games. In addition to affecting the health of the kids it is also affecting the economy. Because the costs of health insurance premiums are going up, companies refuse to pay for such services. In addition child obesity is an issue that in most cases begins in the household. Justification: Studies show the impact that child obesity has caused in society. (CBS News, 2002) declared “A dramatic increase in diabetes and other diseases related to childhood obesity in the United States has added millions of dollars to health care cost”. From that article it is clear that child obesity is causing a tremendous problem to the economy, thus making it insufficient. The cost of medicine, treatments and operation is the reason why it is causing and contributing to the economical problems. Obesity has been a major cause for conditions...
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...Today, In the United States childhood obesity has become an epidemic. One out of three children is considered overweight or obese. The main enablers consist of watching TV or engaging video games while consuming fast foods instead of nutritious, home-cooked meals. On average, a child will spend four hours a day playing video games while munching on potato chips and a high calorie soda. This type of activity is directly linked to terrible grades in school, reading fewer books, and not exercising as much as they should. Obese children are plagued with medical conditions stemming from high blood pressure to diabetes and most of them will develop low self-esteem and depression which will continue into adulthood. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy is the reality of today's busy families. Childhood obesity in America can be reduced if a lifestyle and reduction of junk food is integrated into a child’s day. The main contributors of a sitting lifestyle consist of the Television and Video game. A child, through TV, absorbs thousands of commercials featuring junk food/ fast foods. The same child, by high school, will have spent more time playing video games than they have in the classroom. This will contribute to poor grades, aggressive behavior, and the inability to act socially with other peers. Lawrence (2010) notes that “70% of obese children will continue to be obese through adulthood” (para. 2). These numbers will continue to rise until parents and school officials...
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...The idea of taxing junk food and sugary drinks while sound like it could only do good but it more likely to do only more harm. A tax on junk food is said to lower child and adult obesity, create more money for the state and still give the people the choice of junk food if they want. The truth is that taxes on junk food does not help combat obesity, lower junk food consumption and takes away some freedoms from the american people. In this day in age where kids get twelve percent of their calories from fast-food restaurants and child obesity has more than doubled scenes 1980 going from seven percent to eighteen percent in 2012 it is important to worry about children's health but a food tax doesn't do much to help childhood obesity (Szabo, Liz)....
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...A school in Lethbridge, Alberta has banned the sale of junk food in order to help reduce the rise of childhood obesity. This claim however, had been followed with backlash from the school board along with the food retailer. I unlike these two associations believe the school has a right to impose this ban. The principal and teachers of this specific school have taken on the responsibility to promote healthy eating alternatives. It is important to note, the school board along with the retailer of the food may have placed their own interests in financial gains rather than the well being of these students. The sale of junk food has been the primary source of revenue for the underfunded school, and so the school board is displeased with this ban. I do not believe the promotion of junk food in schools should be reversed, as childhood obesity is an extremely serious matter. The school board’s response to this ban was surprising, as the school board should be solely focused on their student’s safety and well-being. Allowing the sale of junk food promotes poor eating habits and adds to the issue of child obesity. The first quote found on page 181, states the importance of family involvement in any treatment program. Children are often encouraged to overeat by their parents and their eating habits mirror those of their parents. When the entire family agrees on a treatment plan they are often successful (p.181). This quote acts as an appropriate idea to apply to the school’s...
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...Alice Livingston Family Development Research/ Appropriate Use of Technology Nutrition through the Life Cycle Obesity in children Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. Physicians and researchers did numerous studies on children’s habits and lifestyles as an important part of society. Nowadays, children face big problems with obesity. As a result, researchers have learned that healthy habits could have a profound impact on the future of every child and get a better understanding of how children perceive healthy eating. Researchers have proved and would like to emphasize that obesity has tripled in Canadian children in recent decades. For this reason, researchers have identified that healthy behaviors have numerous benefits. By making healthy food choices and explaining the nutritional value of various foods to children will improve the lifestyle of every child and make children’s health better. After a large quantity of interviews that were used to collect data on what food children prefer to eat and why it was discovered that they have bad eating habits and lifestyle. Researchers have found that only 75% of children understood healthy eating by identifying what is healthy food and what is junk food. Almost all children have mentioned eating fruits and vegetables. Findings suggested that children had previously heard...
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...Childhood Obesity Unit 5 IP 3/13/2011 Julie Innes ENGL107 Introduction Today, In the United States childhood obesity has become an epidemic. One out of three children is considered overweight or obese. The main enablers consist of watching TV or engaging video games while consuming fast foods instead of nutritious, home-cooked meals. On average, a child will spend four hours a day playing video games while munching on potato chips and a high calorie soda. This type of activity is directly linked to terrible grades in school, reading fewer books, and exercising less. Obese children are plagued with medical conditions stemming from high blood pressure to diabetes and most of them will develop low self esteem and depression which will continue into adulthood. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy is the reality of today's busy families. Childhood obesity in America can be reduced if a sedentary lifestyle and reduction of junk food is integrated into a child’s day. The main contributors of a sedentary lifestyle consist of the Television and Video game. A child, through TV, absorbs thousands of commercials featuring junk food/ fast foods. The same child, by high school, will have spent more time playing video games than they have in the classroom. This will contribute to poor grades, aggressive behavior, and the inability to act socially with other peers. Lawrence (2010) notes that “70% of obese children will continue to be obese through adulthood” (para...
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...[Date] CHILDHOOD OBESITY Parent’s lifestyle, upbringing and home environment is a major cause for child obesity. Through the past few decades, childhood obesity is on the rise and it now a very hot topic of debate. Like any other disease or condition, child obesity also has its factors. The most common and influencing factor is home environment. Other factors include diet, genetics, the lifestyle, culture and even physiological issues. Children have no sense of health and being obese. They are often unaware of the long term damage it may do to their bodies. The problem with our cultures is that parents are also unaware of the risks attached with obesity. They themselves do not keep a healthy diet. Therefore they are not watchful of what their children eat. Obese children are often those who become overweight adults. This is an ongoing cycle in which no one cares what the other person is eating. Obesity is the root of majority of the diseases and it often leads to death. So it is better to control it during childhood, when it is just the start. The children of today have a very different lifestyle as compared to our ancestors. It is the reason that child obesity is a new term and concept for the elderly people. Most of the day is spent in school. Then there is homework and computer for the rest of the time. The little time that is still left is dedicated to the television. There is no physical exercise involved in the daily routine of the average American child. Also, as the...
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...Childhood Obesity Kendall Stubbs Western Governors University WGU Student ID #428887 Childhood Obesity Weight in children is a critical well-being issue in the United States. The overall life expectancy of Americans is declining for the first time in many years. Changes need to be made inside the home, in order for this issue to be resolved. The number of overweight adolescents has tripled subsequent to 1980, and the commonness among more youthful children has doubled. Looking at long term outcomes, overweight teenagers and children have a seventy percent possibility of becoming overweight or obese adults (Bishop, 2005). Childhood obesity has been one of the fastest emerging public health issues in the United States over the last few years. It is becoming a big problem and an important issue for a variety of reasons. To begin, there is a general lack of exercise due to technology; advertising and commercials for unhealthy foods that focus on children. Because fast food is cheaper and more convenient than eating healthy, it is becoming a more acceptable option for Americans today. Parental influence, along with the examples that they set for their children is another major concern to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity, television time, video games, and internet usage are undeniably related. Children spend approximately seven and a half hours per day with media. Four and a half hours of this time is spent watching television (Wethington 2007). There was...
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...How Junk Food Affects Children Frendester Shanna Williams DeVry University How Junk Food Affects Children It is getting late as a busy mother of three, wife, and nurse is rushing to pick up her kids and head to softball practice. Its thirty minutes until the oldest child is expected to be on the field. The kids are crying and screaming that they are hungry. What is the mother to do? McDonalds bails her out again. The kids get a quick, hot, and fun meal. This mother doesn’t have to face the challenge of balancing work and life situations, especially cooking a dinner. All may seem at ease, but let’s reveal what is really at stake here. Once at softball practice the mother notices that her child is lagging behind during drills, becoming agitated, and is easily fatigued. She also notices that her child is not as lean as the other girls. The other children seem to be running circles around her child. It seems that her child is continuing to become more and more behind the expectations of her team at each practice. What is wrong? She does some research and is quickly taken by surprise. A diet comprised of an increased intake of sugars, sodium, and additives has numerous repercussions. “However, the potential negative psychosocial aspects of obesity, such as poor body image (BI), social isolation, and stigmatization, are also relevant in the lives of youth” (Martin, 2011, p.245). Parents and other youth leaders are strongly encouraged to be the defense against such harsh ramifications...
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...Matthew Hall English 11 Mrs. Wyman 10/25/13 Schools and Obesity There are a lot of parents and school officials who want to ban all junk food from schools due to concern of childhood obesity. This would include vending machines, things like candy or bake sales, and cafeteria food. In reality, are schools causing childhood obesity? Getting rid of all the junk food from schools would not make much of a difference if any at all to the amount of avoirdupois children. A lot of parents and school officials want to help change the percentage of pudgy/obese children. The biggest way that they are looking at doing is by taking away junk food and soda from schools. They believe that taking away the unhealthy food and drinks will solve the problem. The question is will it really make that big of a difference? I believe that child stoutness is a problem but that taking away unhealthy food and drinks in school will not do anything. If kids are going to be obese and they cannot help it due to a metabolism problem or if they really like food then they will bring their own food from home. So what does taking away a nice snack really going to accomplish? Getting rid of the junk food will just be a major inconvenience for a lot of kids as they will just start bringing it from home. Child plumpness is not caused by stuff that they eat at school, it takes a lot more than that. Schools are not the source of the problem and they’re not going to be the solution...
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...knowledge about the issues facing children who are struggling with obesity, with a primary focus on parental involvement. Parents need to understand the seriousness of allowing their children to consume whatever they want, and how much they want: We are seeing hypertension, heart disease, some cancers, breathing difficulties, and type II diabetes in more children today than ever before. Opposing arguments claim that it is not the fault of the parents; however, infants don’t have control over how much they are fed, and toddlers lack the cognitive development to make an informed decision about their food choices. Young children themselves are not to blame, so focus on parents seems reasonable. America is challenged with a growing rate of childhood obesity, and public knowledge regarding solutions remains inadequate. We can do a better job of promoting the issue by helping parents understand the seriousness of childhood obesity; the best way to approach this is likely through marketing. The Fight against Childhood Obesity The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight and obese is now higher than ever before: Over the last 25 years, childhood obesity has more than quadrupled (Get America Fit Foundation, 2012). Childhood obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (a measurement calculated using a child's weight and height) that is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Obesity is caused by long-term positive energy imbalance: When the total...
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...Junk Food Affects You: Final Draft Shelbi Oakley DeVry University Online Junk Food Affects You Josh looks around the playground to see all his friends having fun. They’re swinging, playing tag, drawing with chalk on the blacktop, and picking teams for a basketball game. Everyone’s got a smile on their face and they’re full of so much energy. He’d love to be chosen to play on someone’s basketball team, invited to play tag, or having fun doing anything else other than sitting by himself in the grass. Instead, he gets picked on by other kids about being overweight and is always tired after a short time of going up and down the stairs of the jungle gym. Like many kids his age, junk food, candy, sweets, and fast food become a way of life and a quick and easy dinner picked up in the drive thru is much easier than taking time and effort to make a healthy one at home. Josh’s mom gets fast food for dinner 4-5 times a week, which is the average for Americans today (Americans eat out about 5 times a week, 2011). She works a full-time job and has to pick up Josh’s little sister from daycare after getting Josh from school. It’s hard for her to plan and prepare a wholesome dinner after a long day at work. This is not an uncommon scenario for many adults and kids alike in the U.S. and around the world today. Fast food and junk food have become the norm to the everyday diet. There are more and more restaurant chains...
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...Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is when a child is well above the weight of a normal child who is the same height. Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United. Childhood obesity is hard to determine, as determining whether they have excess body fat is difficult. It is typically based on Body-Mass Index (BMI). It is calculated using a child's weight and height. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but it is a reasonable indicator of body fatness for most children and teens. What Causes Childhood Obesity? Obesity is typically interplay between genetics and lifestyle, so it isn't easy to find a one true way to identify obesity-- that is, unless the child is already obviously overweight. The number one reason for childhood obesity is children are not as active as they should be. They also do not eat right. They play a lot of video games and eat junk foods. Foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates cause obesity, but only if the amount obtained is more than the recommended daily amount. For example: cooking with butter, chocolate and other types of junk food. Childhood obesity can usually be the start of many health problems. Childhood obesity can have a harmful effect on the body in a variety of ways. Obese children are more likely to have: • High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one CVD risk factor, and 39% had two or more. • Increased...
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