Food for Thought....Educating Kids To Eat Right
Hey guys I’m just about to take off to Santa Barbara, Ca so I made a video instead of writing. I had to make sure I gave Michelle Obama some props before I go. Her “Let’s Move” Campaign is starting to gain momentum with the new Childhood Nutrition Bill being in the middle of debate and after new studies show that 28 states saw an increase in obesity rates the past few years. Vending machines in schools is here to keep up the fight and I want you all to enjoy the video….
Jamie Oliver’s hit show “Food Revolution” has one goal and that is to defeat obesity in America. His road to achieving his goals have led him to focus on have led him to become a well known chef and earned him a TED where he gave a wonderful presentation describing the plight of America’s obesity problem. One disturbing fact that Jamie shared was that our children will be living shorter lives than their parents due to childhood obesity.
Watch and learn…
Childhood Obesity
So my hard drive just recently crashed and I’ll be without a computer for the next few days, but I could not let this one go. My friend just sent me an article on the state of the obesity rates in the U.S. Bad news people. 28 states had a rise in obesity rates just last year. Yes, that is more than half of the United States. It is hard to believe, but the economic downturn may have been a factor (I have not seen any facts on this so do not quote me). With this news I felt troubled. There is so much data showing that obesity causes terrible health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. All can cut a life way too short. Yet the rates still rise. It seems that you cannot persuade adults as easily, but it looks like children are not so stubborn.
It also said in the article that childhood obesity rates have stabilized. Great news right. Kids are healthy again.
Not so fast, 16.4 percent of children aged 10 to 17 are obese and 18.2 percent are overweight. Crazy statistics.
So more good news cause that is more fun to write about anyways. A recent poll showed that 80 percent of Americans think childhood obesity is major problem. Even without the polls one can see the changes being made at all levels of government where the community demands it. We need more of this, but here are some of the changes being made.
So here is where making sure vending machines in schools are filled with only healthy items. Snacks are vital to children who cannot consume enough food, because the bellies are so small, to last them very long. Snacking is the only way for them to have the energy they need to succeed in school. Keep up the fight, and we will get those statistics turn around.