Southern schools have most junk food, obesity
Southern schools have most junk food, obesity
Junk food remains plentiful at America's elementary schools despite widespread efforts to curb childhood obesity.
Between 2006 and 2010, nearly half of public and private schools surveyed sold sweet or salty snack foods in vending machines or other places, according to Lindsey Turner, a health expert at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The study focused on snacks not sold during mealtimes, which until recently weren't tracked by the government.
Schools most likely to sell chips, cookies or similar foods were in the South, where obesity rates are the highest; these foods were scarcest at schools in the West.
Recent data suggest that almost 20 percent of elementary school children nationwide are obese.
Overall, about 45 percent of schools sold sugary and salty snacks. Some schools sold low-fat salty snacks and baked goods, including pretzels and low-fat ice cream, but their high sugar or salt content makes them a poor choice, Turner said.
Candy, salty snacks and regular-fat baked goods were more common at private schools than public schools; and low-fat ice cream was more common at both types of schools than full-fat ice cream snacks.
The study authors say their results should encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture to crack down on junk food in schools. A law enacted in December 2010 gives the agency authority to do so, and it is developing changes.
Before that measure, USDA policy restricted schools from selling foods "of minimal nutritional value" during mealtimes. Under the new law, the agency can set nutrition standards for all foods sold in U.S. schools.
Another USDA change announced last month focuses on making school lunches healthier, with changes including less sodium and more whole grains.
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- Posted on February 6, 2012
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I like having junk food in our school. It is also really bad for you cause you can become obsessed. It might taste good but you wont look good after long.
This is not good.The fact that 20% of Elementary school students are obese nationwide! Yet, schools still sell these fatty foods?? It's almost like they want obesity rates to go up. I would say a compromise would be to get rid of fatty foods and drinks for diet or non- fat foods and drinks! It's a simple switch that could change the world! Example: Instead of Mt. Dew try diet Mt. Dew. If you are a person who doesn't like this idea, just imagine- wiping all junk food off the face of the earth by shutting down those companies. So there is absolutely no such thing as junk food or even.... dessert! Everyone would have to eat healthy for the rest of their lives! Now do you like the first idea of making the switch? Again, it's just a simple switch! One person should step forward and make a change! Will you be the first?
I dont like the Idea of having junk food at schools because, situations like this can happen when our schools are the most unhethelthy and we have the most obese children. When we have situations like
this we have to do something about it we can't just watch it happen. We have to help thees kids and change menus.
I do think that they should ban junk food,but then I don't because I think its ok to eat junk food but not to much because is not healthly, but then I do think they should eat more healthy food
I don't think schools should ban all unhealthy snacks. Kids should be able to eat what they want, but they should be able to monitor what they eat also. Some foods are really bad for you, but some foods aren't that bad. Kids should just make the decision not to eat those foods all the time, they need to learn how to eat on their own, not because the government or schools are forcing them to.
I think kids should be able to eat watever they want. But, I think we should have more PE and exercise that comes along with it. People can eat pretty much watever they want s long as they burn some of the calories and exercise alot.
this problem should have been approache way before the problem became so serious. they should replace all of the junk food now before the problem gets any worse. getting big should not be a acomplishment or an acheivment but a a fera for te person that is obeis
I agree with USDA changing school lunches into healthy ones, including the snacks. Too many schools serve manufactured goods, which is a pity, instead of organic food. Also, even though if they did switch the food, the meals/snacks would not necessarily be healthy. So USDA should pay close attention to that. Although this problem should have been solved a while ago, at least they are looking for a solution now.
That is not healthy for kids. They are not going to be strong in live so they will not die at a young age. That is not smart of the principal to do that either.
I think they shouldve thought of making a healthier food a long time ago because, now some of the kids would want those junk foods and will argue. I think their helping more kids out and if they eat healthy right now they will eat healthy foods when their older.