Childhood Obesity As A National Security Threat
When First Lady Michelle Obama launched her Let’s Move program she described childhood obesity as a national security threat. “A recent study put the health care cost of obesity-related diseases at $147 billion a year,” Mrs. Obama said. “This epidemic also impacts the nation’s security, as obesity is now one of the most common disqualifiers for military service.”
The statement happened at a ceremony at the White House during the launching of the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign which was attended by many officials of the President’s cabinet. And on December 2010, a few days before ushering the New Year, a new nutrition bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama to promote better eating habits among children.
Coke Hired PR Firm to Head Off Negative Publicity from PTA Moms
Following proposals from various sectors to ban sodas and other sugary drinks in schools vending machines and cafeterias, Coca-Cola has hired a PR firm to ward off negative publicity pertaining to its beverage products.
In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the removal of Coke and other sugary drinks in vending machines on city property as part of the state’s campaign to end childhood obesity. In Philadelphia, its School Reform Commission approved a ban for the sale of all sodas in 2004 in schools for K-12 students. Likewise, New York Mayor Bloomberg says food stamps will no longer be used to buy coke, candy and other sugary beverages.
Soft drinks are considered to majorly impact the soaring rate of childhood obesity in the US; hence, its removal in school vending machines and from within easy access to children is being strictly implemented across states to reduce further increase in obesity cases. Apart from weight gain and obesity, too much consumption of soft drinks is also being linked to other health hazards which included osteoporosis, bone fractures, tooth loss, and diabetes
Soft Drink Health Hazards for Kids
Soft drinks can be very addicting. The sugary taste with combined coolness is tempting enough for a child or an adult to press the vending machine button or run to the nearest convenience store for a bottle of ice-cold Pepsi or Coke. Sadly, the number of health hazard soft drinks poses is often times ignored when in fact should be given utmost attention as it majorly affects the lives of children.
Health experts reveal that too much soft drink consumption leads to many bone problems such as osteoporosis, bone fractures, tooth loss, periodontal disease, and gingivitis. This is because soft drinks are believed to contain large quantities of phosphorus, which when excreted pulls calcium out of the bones. Apparently, the United States ranks first among countries in soft drink consumption, wherein 13.15 billion gallons of carbonated drinks are consumed every year.
Kids Need to Walk to Head Off Childhood Obesity
In San Francisco, the Shape Up Coalition has tripled its Safe Routes to School program, and the events included walking school buses converging on the grassy median where Dolores and San Jose Ave meet by 8:20am and walk to Fairmount Elementary, 65 Chenery St., in Noe Valley by 8:30am. The Coalition received a grant amounting to $500,000 from the California Department of Transportation to create a comprehensive Safe Routes to School program for San Francisco elementary schools.
Sadly, amidst the growing childhood obesity in America, we hardly see children kids walking to school, or at the very least, getting involved in activities that would allow them to be in good shape. While eating healthy is highly demanded among children, having an active routine helps in shaking those excess calories that kids get from vending machines.
New Healthy Vending and Child Nutrition Bill About to Pass in the Senate
here is a new healthy bill that is awaiting Senate’s vote and it is aimed at improving school lunch nutrition. Called Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the bill would increase funding per meal by $.06 so that fresh produce could be included with more frequency. Additionally, it would provide nutritional training for people working in school lunch programs.
We already know that several of the states’ school districts have been seriously monitoring its existing school nutrition guidelines and many are in fact overhauling their cafeteria’s ala carte menu to include more healthier options for students. And with the passing of this new bill, it is expected to add intensity to the nation’s fight in ending childhood obesity.
Childhood Obesity is an Important Issue in Reducing Health Care Costs
In 2009, a government-sponsored research was publicized with some shocking findings about the relation of increased health care costs to the increased rates of obesity in less than a decade. The study was conducted by researchers at RTI International and funded by the CDC Foundation analyzed data from the 1998 and 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys. It was found out that in 1998 the medical costs of obesity in the US were estimated at around 78.5 billion dollars a year, half of which was financed by Medicare and Medicaid. Furthermore, between 1998 and 2006, the prevalence of obesity in the US went up by 37 per cent.
This and the current data of obesity and health care costs are the main concerns why the new administration is pushing hard to encourage people, particularly children, to start eating healthy foods and engaging in physical activities. Congress has reauthorized the children nutrition act and other sectors are also doing their share in alleviating the growing problem by serving healthier options to people and ramping up the nutritional campaign nationwide—targeting specifically children. There is a loud clamor to stop bleeding on the issue and we cannot afford to see more children being admitted to the hospital due to serious weight-related illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, etc. It’s best to keep in mind that the success in the reduction of obesity cases is critical in reducing national health care costs and working together to achieve this can likewise result to a better economy in the future.
USA Must Tackle Nationwide Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Have you had the time to check what your kids are eating lately? How proactive have you been in checking with your kids’ school the kind of nutritional foods they are serving in their campus cafeterias? These are pertinent questions that shouldn’t be left unattended by parents these days considering the growing rate of childhood obesity in the US.
Statistics have already spoken the alarming concern which prompted President Obama to officially declare September as the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, saying, “We now face a national childhood obesity crisis with nearly one in every three of America’s children being overweight or obese.”
Children Need to Get Healthier in Schools
Education is the greatest wealth parents can pass on to their kids. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise why parents work so much just to make sure they afford the best schools for their kids. And when we say best schools we don’t only expect an excellent standing but also a healthier environment for our children.
Exactly, how do we know our children are getting healthier in schools? Or at the very least, enrolled in a school with great facilities, outstanding people, and a fit environment that encourages them to lead a healthy lifestyle?
Childhood Obesity Sky Rocketing in America
It’s a no secret that childhood obesity has tripled in number in the last three decades, sending an alarming signal of epidemic in the nation. From 6.5 percent in 1980, the recorded case among children ages 6-11 soared to 19.6 percent in 2008, whereas, for those ages 12-19, the figure dived from 5 percent in 1980 to 18.1 percent in 2008. Such big leap prompted the nation to act in curbing the growth by adapting various measures that are primarily targeted at the younger generation.
Childhood obesity is a serious dilemma that needs serious attention; otherwise, we are looking at a bleak future for our children’s health and lifestyle. After all, a healthy lifestyle starts as early as childhood, and during such formative period, parents play a crucial role and influence by following a healthy lifestyle themselves.
Winning the Battle Against Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a growingly serious problem in the US—literally and figuratively. This explains why there have been several programs and laws that are recently being introduced and implemented to widely combat the issue. Apart from the improved nutrition guidelines in many school districts in different states, fast food chains have also made their move to do some makeover in their ala carte menu. Health clubs and fresh vending machines franchises have likewise started adapting changes in their services to cater health-conscious individuals. Fresh vending products are now front and center in the debate against junk food in schools and the fresh vending business is now the fastest growing segment in the vending industry. This being said and done, are the American people seeing an obese-free nation soon?
In San Francisco there had been a proposed legislation that that curtails the inclusion of toys in kids’ happy meals in fast food restaurants, whereas, in New York, restaurants are restricting the amount of salt on their food. The goal is harmless and simple, but seems so hard to follow for many people. And somehow the answer to what could really be the most effective way to end childhood obesity remains elusive.