: How our Schools Contribute to Childhood Obesity
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(421 Words)
Unfortunately, schools can contribute to childhood obesity. Many children with childhood obesity go on to be obese as adults as well. Because of the sheer number of adults that are overweight and the tragic health consequences thereof, it is important to be aware of any contributing factors. Consider the following points.
School meals are often unhealthy
Many of the meals served at school are very unhealthy. They may serve red meat, chicken nuggets, tater tots, fried foods, etc. It can be difficult for children to learn to eat healthy if they are not fed well at school. Kids are learning by what they see and if they see that it is okay to eat that way at school, then they may continue to eat that way at home. These foods often have a lot of fat and calories in them, which can help contribute to childhood obesity.
Even the fundraisers children do are often with unhealthy foods. In a lot of schools, the children sell candy like chocolate bars to help raise money. Those kids might eat those bars, which can help them gain weight. In any case, they are just around them more and might be more likely to incorporate them and other unhealthy foods into their diets.
A lot of kids are also very hungry by the time lunch comes. Many people say that you are better off eating a lot of smaller meals. When the children are so hungry, they may eat more than they really want or need when they do get the chance to eat. If they know that they are going to be at school for a while longer and won’t get another chance to eat soon then they might get themselves overfull too. This can help them gain weight.
The children are not very physically active.
In many schools the kids are not very physically active. In the past, a lot of schools had daily physical education. Some schools nowadays are stopping this. Not only is it not giving the children the calorie-burning activities that can help prevent childhood obesity, but it is not getting them in the habit of exercising, which they might have otherwise taken with them and incorporated into their general lives. In many schools, kids are not well-taught on how important exercise and nutrition are.
It is very important to do what we can to prevent childhood obesity. The above ways are those in which schools might contribute to this growing problem. These should be addressed to help the situation.
Updated On: 09/02/2010 Published On: 09/02/2010 Article ViewerClose
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