Obese Teens Are More Prone To Become Obese Adults
If there is one thing that some overweight adults would have wished if they can turn back the hands of time, it’s that they should have eaten healthier and consumed lesser fats. Unfortunately, as we age there’s no such thing that can make us go back in our teens. But sure enough, there’s still enough time for parents to prevent their kids from suffering the same fate of becoming obese as adults – if only they’ll start serving healthier meals and lunch on a regular basis.
In a recent national study of American youth, researchers found that one in twelve teenagers became severely obese as they entered adulthood. It can be recalled that the US federal government, along with the Department of Agriculture and other concerned sectors are vigorously leading the pack to fight childhood obesity in America. This problem is noted not only to adversely affect country-wide households but even the health care cost of the US – where over US$140 billion went to the national medical expenditures for 2009 alone.
Vending Machines: Consumer Perceptions Are Changing
When we think of a typical vending machine, we conjure up images of salty chips, sweetened sodas and fruit juices, candies and chocolate bars, and ice cream—the kinds of food that give us excess fat that are just so hard to burn and impacts the increasing obesity rate and health care industry of America. But the good news is more and more people are starting to become aware of their health and know that junk foods are killing children’s lifestyle choices. Hence, the clamor for fresh healthy vending machines is increasing, too—much to the positive interest of both the vending machine franchise owners and the consumers who are looking for healthier alternatives.
In the recent findings of the Centers for Disease Control as many as two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This translates to the fact that almost 200 million overweight or obese people, and the number is expected to increase because the number of overweight and obese children 6 to 19 years old has tripled over the past 25 years. For this reason, President Obama, at the onset of his administration, vehemently called for the overhauling of vending machines in school campuses to include more nutritious products and replace junk foods.
Join the Fight Against Childhood Obesity in America
America’s battle with childhood obesity continues. At least, that’s what statistics revealed, wherein two-thirds, or more than 190 million Americans are overweight or obese, and $147 billion medical burden are recorded every year. And what’s even more alarming is the rate among preschool-aged children have significantly doubled, whereas, tripled among children 6 to 19 years old over the past 25 years.
The big question we are facing now is how do we save children from being victimized by this epidemic? How do we put a stop on a crisis that gives not only social trauma among children but also a huge burden among families? Are we missing the right action here that makes obesity rate grow quicker?
Healthy Snacking, Lunches and Healthy Vending Important in Schools
Is your child having a difficult time catching up with his/her lessons at school? Do you wonder why some of the other kids get high grades while your child is barely passing? You might want to check your child’s eating habits because you’ll be surprised to know that most children with poor nutrition are those who do not do too well academically in school.
What your child eats every day plays an important role in your children’s well being. While we tend to rush every morning, we often don’t have time to cook a nutritious breakfast. We’ve heard it over and over but it is true that breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day. Because of our busy schedules, we sometimes resort to instant foods which are often unhealthy. As parents we also trust that our children will be served with healthy food at school. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. The US Department of Agriculture has stated that 9 out of 10 schools in the U.S. that offers food sold outside the lunch program do not meet the nutritional recommendations of the government.
Healthy Snacks and Drinks Can Also Taste Good
When we talk about healthy eating, children in particular, cringe at the thought of bland veggies and unsavory soups and dishes. But the truth is healthy snacks and drinks have hugely evolved in the way they are created nowadays. Schools know that it takes time for children to get used to healthier menus and this prompted them to introduce more great tasting food while at the same time complying with strict nutrition guidelines.
Hingham Public School is one good example of this. They take so much pride with their nutritious offerings to their middle and high school students which includes tasty lemon-garlic potato salad, apple coleslaw, chicken, broccoli, and ziti pasta, fresh tomato and basil sandwiches, and corn and black bean salad—to name a few.
Food Trends for the 2010 School Year Revealed
A new School Nutrition Association (SNA) website and survey are explaining on healthy trends in school café nationwide, as children are going back to school this fall. The Tray Talk website, launched by SNA, is going to focus on school meal success and provide information to parents, on healthy nutritious school meals. Launched today, the site will highlight schools that have been successful in school nutrition, from all over all the country, particularly on two different school nutrition programs monthly.
‘Latest’s news on the Tray’ will feature hot topics in school nutrition, which will be posted monthly. News on the Tray, for this month, has a report on SNA’s Back to School Trends Survey. The study was based on 538 school nutrition directors in charge of school district foodservice operation in 44 states. The survey reveals that in spite of spiraling costs, schools are serving more vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains and low fat dairy products. The report further reveals that schools are take significant steps in reducing added sodium and sugar content in food, served at the lunch line.
Milk is Once Again Cool for School Vending and Nutrition
Since time immemorial, milk has been every child’s favorite. But milk tends to be out of the picture when children are already 11 years old. At this age, children drink more soda than milk.
In fact, America’s milk consumption fell from 20 gallons a year per capita, compared the early 1990’s 25 gallons. School lunchrooms used to be milk’s home because kids drink milk during recess time. But kids no longer drink milk as much as their parents want them to.
School Determined to Make Lunches and Vending Machines Healthy
Pop tarts, French fries, nachos are already out of the picture in school meals. This year, another school lunch is removed. Maplewoood Richmond Heights School District is the first to remove chicken nuggets from their school lunch menus.
“We’re not serving any chicken nuggets,” said a triumphant Carol Kon, the food service director for the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District. “We’re the first to do that.” With a total of 1,150 students, this school district has intentionally dissuaded itself from offering unhealthy foods; thereby making themselves an envy of other school districts in the region.