Today, schools are among the largest sources of unhealthy food. According to a recent government survey, junk food in schools is found in nine out on ten institutions of higher learning. And - according to the Government Accounting Office - those numbers have increased over the past five years.
In the past decade, obesity among children and teenagers has doubled.
Children now suffer from high blood pressure and a form of diabetes, which wasn't observed in children until recently. Junk food in schools is mainly to blame. Today junk food in schools is a common sight. Snacks such as candy, cola, popcorn and pizza are widely available and compete with nutritious meals. In 35 percent of schools surveyed, children can have salty snacks, sweet baked goods as well as other unhealthy foods. Parents show immense disturbance over the impact of junk food on their children's health.
Meanwhile, school authorities do not hasten to eliminate vending
machines from school territories. They benefit from selling junk food in schools. Nearly 75 percent of high schools have vending contracts with soft drink companies. Providing nearly thirty percent of high schools with an annual income of $125,000.
Taking into account the damage caused by junk foods, the government is required to take strong measures concerning junk food in schools. But the present day response of the government appears to be much talk but little action. Now the government plans to introduce nutrition standards for food throughout schools.
Students must be provided with more healthful foods such as fruits,
vegetables, low fat milk and whole grains. It's also imperative to
increase nutritional education in today's schools. Many states urge legislation to turn off vending machines during class time and impose a tax on soft drinks. In California; a law has been passed, which allows students a choice of drinking milk, water or juice in elementary school. In Hawaii the situation is much the same: legislation is trying to remove sodas from school vending machines and limit the sale of candy and snacks heavy in saturated fats. New York went even further, increasing exercise in schools and prohibiting it's schools to sell and
food products of minimal nutritional value. And if you don't think junk food in schools doesn't impact a child's health consider this: physical education classes in New York City have an attendance rate of only 29 percent, compared to a 42 percent attendance rate in 1991!
Such actions have exerted disturbing influence on the food industry,
since it may lose a good portion of it's income. Vending machines have become a significant source of extra revenue, bringing in millions of dollars. Schools have also benefited, earning 50,000 or more in commissions annually. The money was used for marching bands, computer equipment and extracurricular activities. This partially explains school administrators' opposition to the restrictions on sales of junk food in schools.
In the meantime, schools are accused of disregarding the health of their students, by obtaining additional resources through contacts with fast food companies.
The problem can be eliminated only on the condition that all the sources responsible for children's upbringing consolidate their efforts and take effective measures concerning nutrition.