Childhood Obesity and the School's Role

One of the most serious issues facing our students today that has no relation to the curriculum, testing or standards is the fact that childhood obesity is rampant in the United States. In fact the US leads the world in this issue, with Europe a close second.  According to reports, one out of three children is obese.   This has become such a hot topic; even First Lady Michelle Obama has joined this fight.  She has begun a campaign by the name of “Let’s Move” and it focuses on getting kids up and moving while establishing a healthy lifestyle.  It also asks for an effort on everyone’s part: parents to be educated, schools to offer a more balanced and healthy 

menu and for corporate America to offer lower cost fresh foods, making it more accessible to the public and by monitoring the fat content of all food issued by fast food restaurants.               

It has even gotten the attention of Jamie Oliver, who is a chef.  He is passionate about helping people get healthier by eating healthier. He, along with ABC network has launched a series about school lunches and the impact it has on the health of the children of today.  He states that the United States is the unhealthiest country with 2/3 of the population being overweight.  With this staggering statistic, it is estimated that children’s lives will be cut short by 10 years because of their unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits.

Most of us worry about dying from homicide or terrible accidents which we have no control over. However, according to the table, most deaths come from diseases that are nutritionally related and can be controlled by what the person chooses to eat and how certain foods may be the onset to their eventual death.

To gain the attention of kids, Shrek has even joined the fight. Children and parents must realize that being more active is a key to their health. This is the focus of the campaign of “Let’s Move” and the message from our friends of the Shrek fame.

Another focus on this plight is school lunches.  The USDA is getting involved by proposing guidelines for school lunches. They want to limit calories, reduce sodium intake and starchy vegetables while doubling the fruit and vegetable servings and offering whole grains. Because 32 million students eat lunch and 11 million eat breakfast at school, they are getting one half of their daily calories from the school menu. This puts educational systems and their food choices at the forefront of this epidemic. As a nation, we must work together to solve this problem for our students and children and their future health.

References:
      Southern Methodist University. (2010-08-24).  School lunches linked to childhood obesity. Retrieved from http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/child-obesity/school lunches.
      Let's Move. (2010). Healthy schools. Retrieved from http://www.letsmove.gov/healthy-schools.