image by Joe 13

Childhood obesity trends are horrifying. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have noted that in the 70’s childhood obesity rates were less than 6% while studies done today are showing a trend upwards of around 20%. In other words, in a single classroom, instead of there being just one child picked on for being overweight, we now have two or three kids. When considering the fact that childhood obesity leads to serious health consequences, one starts to wonder why it is steadily increasing and what is being done to slow it down.

While there are many factors affecting the obesity rates in the US, one huge area to be addressed are the school vending machines. In an educational and supposedly safe environment for children, it is difficult to understand why junk food or high calorie yet nutrient deficient foods are allowed into our schools. Some might argue freedom of choice, but for children who often cannot make the right choice; it is up to adults to do something about it.

Nutritional Factors

In nutrition, vending machines are considered very dangerous for multiple reasons. In our society, everything is fast paced. In most schools, a lunch break may only lasts 40 minutes, including time to go outside and play. This makes it very tempting for our kids to fill up on high calorie foods and sugary beverages so they can make better use of their time socializing. Another reason vending machines are dangerous is because they are easily accessible. In bigger schools, one can find a vending machine in several spots near the cafeteria and around other areas like the gymnasium, or school entrances. The free advertisement that these companies get is well worth donating thousands of dollars for educational needs.

The nutrient deficient foods include candy bars, soda, chips, and pastry like desserts. These foods carry a relatively long shelf life and because of this are filled with chemicals that are harmful to children and adults alike. Junk food offers very little nutritional value and contributes greatly to the cause of childhood obesity.

Public Schools: Funding from Vendors

Many public schools have been under funded, especially those in poorer districts. Because of this, companies like Pepsi and Coke have said that they will offer hundreds of thousands of dollars to schools who allow them to place their vending machines where kids can have access to them. When faced with receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from these companies, which can be used to fund books, teacher salaries, and remodeling, it can be difficult for school administrators to say no, despite the health consequences of childhood obesity.

This is why the CDC has tried to develop some restrictions on school vending machines and junk food, but while we wait for the government to work, it’s up to us to do our part. This is why at home education is very important in addition to limiting other exposures to junk food.

For information on this topic or to search tips for adults and games for children online, check out CDC's Tips for Parents.

If you want to receive notifications of new blog posts, subscribe to my RSS feed or Mailing list.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (5)

ya pay for what ya get
written by Dale N , March 28, 2008

and man o man are we ever paying for it!!!!

Vending machines
written by Joy , March 28, 2008

Wasn't there some healthy vending machines initiated a few months back? Some schools have began banning pop as well. Hopefully the others will follow suit. If you don't give kids unhealthy choices at least for the time they are in school, that would help a bit.

...
written by Nico , March 30, 2008

I haven't heard anything about that! It certainly would be the right thing to do. Best would be if some rules would be instated on a national level.

Anyhow, Thanks for dropping by :o)

...
written by LisaN , March 30, 2008

Joy is right; many schools have banned junk food and soda vending machines from their schools. The schools are working hard to make food kids will like, while also making food they want to eat. It's a juggling act.

I think healthy habits start at home...........Period!!!

...
written by SpinDiva , May 24, 2008

I know I'm joining this topic a little late but Joy is correct. Unfortunately only middle schools and elementary schools were affected by the changes. High schools still have their sweet and fatty machines in place.

I do agree with LisaN about starting at home. My son, now in HS, seems to always make good food choices even if he is stuck in school with nothing to eat (he stays after a lot to study or practice) he choose the better of all evils, water vs. soda and nutrigrain bars over chocolate candy bars, etc. I only know this because his friends tell me and I find the wrappers in his pockets sometimes.