Recent decades reveal an increase and high prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States. In order to halt further increase, researchers have determined primary factors that contribute to the obesity epidemic to be the result of unhealthy diet and low physical activity (Cluss). With consideration to the fact that children spend the majority of each day away at school and the school year makes up most of the calendar year; school meals innately impact children 's everyday eating habits (Turner). The rate of obesity in United States children led the government to put in place new regulations that would provide children more access to healthier foods however, there has been no success in decreasing obesity rates (“Childhood Obesity Facts”).
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The rates of obesity have increased dramatically over the decade; “Obesity prevalence more than tripled from 1980 to 2008 …currently, 17% of all American children are obese, with a body mass index of equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for their age and sex” (Cluss). In recent years, since 2012, childhood obesity rates have plateaued, however, the trend of obesity continues; since 1980 obesity rates in children ages six to eleven has increased from 7% to 18%. The statistic for obesity rates in adolescents ages twelve to nineteen, shows a similar, significant increase, from 5% in 1980 to 21% in 2012 (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). The issue of childhood obesity stands to be a major social issue due to the implication and risks that result from being obese; “obese children have an increased current and future risk of serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression” (Cluss). Factors that impact childhood obesity are prevalent in the school setting; children consume 35% to 47% of their daily caloric intake while at school …show more content…
The survey suggests that modifications to school lunch programs have failed to address the vending machines available in the lunch room’s, easily assessable to students at any time of the day. In addition, schools have a long standing tradition of using fundraisers as a means to generate revenue for school programs however, these fundraisers, which mostly occur during lunch periods, promote the sale of high calorie and low-nutrient foods which stand to be an addition to the lunch the child is already consuming
The rates of obesity have increased dramatically over the decade; “Obesity prevalence more than tripled from 1980 to 2008 …currently, 17% of all American children are obese, with a body mass index of equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for their age and sex” (Cluss). In recent years, since 2012, childhood obesity rates have plateaued, however, the trend of obesity continues; since 1980 obesity rates in children ages six to eleven has increased from 7% to 18%. The statistic for obesity rates in adolescents ages twelve to nineteen, shows a similar, significant increase, from 5% in 1980 to 21% in 2012 (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). The issue of childhood obesity stands to be a major social issue due to the implication and risks that result from being obese; “obese children have an increased current and future risk of serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression” (Cluss). Factors that impact childhood obesity are prevalent in the school setting; children consume 35% to 47% of their daily caloric intake while at school …show more content…
The survey suggests that modifications to school lunch programs have failed to address the vending machines available in the lunch room’s, easily assessable to students at any time of the day. In addition, schools have a long standing tradition of using fundraisers as a means to generate revenue for school programs however, these fundraisers, which mostly occur during lunch periods, promote the sale of high calorie and low-nutrient foods which stand to be an addition to the lunch the child is already consuming