Obesity
Present day American culture promotes unhealthy eating habits in children. “Childhood obesity is a major public health concern, and has more than doubled since the 1970’s” (Ludmila 1). This can be a big dilemma because kids are developing an unhealthily lifestyle so young. America’s public schooling system needs to be held responsible for the causes of child obesity and make changes to accommodate the effects. Changes should be made in schools lunch menus and the types of foods found in vending machines. More classes could be created and required to teach children ways to avoid unhealthy habits. Schools could also allow more physical education and recess time to promote more active students. Public schooling is responsible for a large portion of the causes of childhood obesity. If changes could be made then the start for healthier lives of young people can begin.
Schools across the United States do not offer healthy lunch options for children. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18.1 percent of middle school students were obese in 2008” (Morris 1). “There are many factors that may contribute to obesity in children, but one important factor is what children eat for lunch every day at school” (Morris 1). Elementary, middle, and high schools in the U.S offer foods like pizza, fries, and burgers. Not to mention most schools don’t even offer nutritional information. Studies have found though, a typical school lunch could range from 649 calories to 886 depending on what the child consumes. “Now, consider that a middle school student needs approximately 1600 to 1800 calories per day, according to the American Heart Association” (Morris 1), so this would mean that the child would be consume half their calorie intake from lunch alone. Changes need to be made in the food that schools offer. More fresh fruits and vegetables, good meats, and healthy sides could all be alternative possibilities.
Another problem that schools have created is vending
Schools across the United States do not offer healthy lunch options for children. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18.1 percent of middle school students were obese in 2008” (Morris 1). “There are many factors that may contribute to obesity in children, but one important factor is what children eat for lunch every day at school” (Morris 1). Elementary, middle, and high schools in the U.S offer foods like pizza, fries, and burgers. Not to mention most schools don’t even offer nutritional information. Studies have found though, a typical school lunch could range from 649 calories to 886 depending on what the child consumes. “Now, consider that a middle school student needs approximately 1600 to 1800 calories per day, according to the American Heart Association” (Morris 1), so this would mean that the child would be consume half their calorie intake from lunch alone. Changes need to be made in the food that schools offer. More fresh fruits and vegetables, good meats, and healthy sides could all be alternative possibilities.
Another problem that schools have created is vending