Junk Food in Schools
TAL 201
May 6, 2013
Current Issues Paper
Junk Food In Schools
Introduction
Although not easy to admit, it is a fact that a big percentage of the world’s population today likes junk food. Many people have become accustomed to eating foods with high levels of refined sugars, processed grains, and a number of other unhealthy ingredients (Trice, 2010). Essentially, companies have replaced nature’s own ingredients with highly processed products and chemicals to reduce costs, extend shelf life, and raise profits. Excessive salt, sugar, and preservatives are added to replace taste that is lost when using lower quality ingredients. However, things get tricky when such activities put the lives of innocent students at risk.
Concerns about Junk Food in Public Schools
According to Smith (2011), school children eat one-third of their meals at school during any academic year. As a result, American schools are in a unique position to help improve youth dietary behaviors and prevent cases of obesity. As childhood obesity has dramatically increased over the past few decades, the food offered in schools and school environment has continued to receive a careful scrutiny. The nutritional quality of these meals has been challenged, as has the wide variety of foods that are sold in vending machines and school stores. Most researchers are convinced that schools are contributing to the obesity crisis, rather than trying to control it.
The improve sales, many fast food and junk food corporations have been associated with the production of educational materials for use in schools (Cobb, 2006). These materials minimally advertise the company and its products, but often the content in the materials reflects corporate views on issues related to health and nutrition. This is in addition to specific programs offered by fast food companies. While the effectiveness of corporate materials has been questioned, no concerns have been raised regarding the fact that students are
May 6, 2013
Current Issues Paper
Junk Food In Schools
Introduction
Although not easy to admit, it is a fact that a big percentage of the world’s population today likes junk food. Many people have become accustomed to eating foods with high levels of refined sugars, processed grains, and a number of other unhealthy ingredients (Trice, 2010). Essentially, companies have replaced nature’s own ingredients with highly processed products and chemicals to reduce costs, extend shelf life, and raise profits. Excessive salt, sugar, and preservatives are added to replace taste that is lost when using lower quality ingredients. However, things get tricky when such activities put the lives of innocent students at risk.
Concerns about Junk Food in Public Schools
According to Smith (2011), school children eat one-third of their meals at school during any academic year. As a result, American schools are in a unique position to help improve youth dietary behaviors and prevent cases of obesity. As childhood obesity has dramatically increased over the past few decades, the food offered in schools and school environment has continued to receive a careful scrutiny. The nutritional quality of these meals has been challenged, as has the wide variety of foods that are sold in vending machines and school stores. Most researchers are convinced that schools are contributing to the obesity crisis, rather than trying to control it.
The improve sales, many fast food and junk food corporations have been associated with the production of educational materials for use in schools (Cobb, 2006). These materials minimally advertise the company and its products, but often the content in the materials reflects corporate views on issues related to health and nutrition. This is in addition to specific programs offered by fast food companies. While the effectiveness of corporate materials has been questioned, no concerns have been raised regarding the fact that students are
References: Cobb, V. (2006). Junk Food. Minneapolis, Minnesota: LernerClassroom. Nestle, M. (2007). Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health. London, UK: University of California Press. Oliver, J. E. (2005). Fat Politics: The Real Story behind America 's Obesity Epidemic: The Real Story behind America 's Obesity Epidemic. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Smith, F. A. (2011). Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat, Volume 2. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. Trice, L. (2010). The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook: More Than 100 Healthy Recipes for Everyday Snacking. Philadelphia, PA: Running Press.