Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is growing at an alarming rate; and with that obesity-related diseases are also on the rise. As with adults, poor diets and a sedentary lifestyle have been linked to the increase in obesity and childhood obesity-related diseases. Although, childhood obesity is a national problem, it varies among ethnic groups. It is speculated that school lunches are a contributing factor to the growing epidemic. Could school lunches really be to blame for the rise in childhood obesity? Children spend a considerable amount time at school and consume most of their caloric intake there. Should schools serve healthier foods? Or should we as a society take personal accountability for what we eat and model to our children?
In recent decades, we have seen an increasing commonness …show more content…
Children are not doing enough physical activity, less than an hour a day, and are consuming the same amount of calories as adults. Children are consuming less than half the acclaimed portions of fruits and vegetables. The intake of salt and sugar among children is also high. Poor eating habits and physical activity in childhood may increase the risk of health problems later in life (Bruttiss, 2002). A study by Schanzenboch, points out that Kids who eat school lunch are more likely to be overweight than those who bring lunch from home (Sum. 2009). Socio economic class also plays a role in childhood obesity, which helps explain some of the stigma behind school lunches and childhood obesity. The National School Program provides low-cost or free lunches to children living in poverty. Some of the problem with school lunches are; they are not made from scratch, don’t offer fresh fruits or vegetables, they don’t meet nutritional requirements. That is all partially because school budgets cannot accommodate healthier
Childhood obesity is growing at an alarming rate; and with that obesity-related diseases are also on the rise. As with adults, poor diets and a sedentary lifestyle have been linked to the increase in obesity and childhood obesity-related diseases. Although, childhood obesity is a national problem, it varies among ethnic groups. It is speculated that school lunches are a contributing factor to the growing epidemic. Could school lunches really be to blame for the rise in childhood obesity? Children spend a considerable amount time at school and consume most of their caloric intake there. Should schools serve healthier foods? Or should we as a society take personal accountability for what we eat and model to our children?
In recent decades, we have seen an increasing commonness …show more content…
Children are not doing enough physical activity, less than an hour a day, and are consuming the same amount of calories as adults. Children are consuming less than half the acclaimed portions of fruits and vegetables. The intake of salt and sugar among children is also high. Poor eating habits and physical activity in childhood may increase the risk of health problems later in life (Bruttiss, 2002). A study by Schanzenboch, points out that Kids who eat school lunch are more likely to be overweight than those who bring lunch from home (Sum. 2009). Socio economic class also plays a role in childhood obesity, which helps explain some of the stigma behind school lunches and childhood obesity. The National School Program provides low-cost or free lunches to children living in poverty. Some of the problem with school lunches are; they are not made from scratch, don’t offer fresh fruits or vegetables, they don’t meet nutritional requirements. That is all partially because school budgets cannot accommodate healthier