(30-01-11) Reduce childhood obesity by replacing junk food with organic alternatives

by Tracy Rose, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, the rate of childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30
years. Junk food is one of the culprits for the obesity epidemic. Kids are
exposed to junk food in many ways, from unhealthy parental role models to
marketing geared towards kids and teens that encourages them to make unhealthy
food choices. Kids are also offered poor food choices at school. A clean
environment is the first step in helping kids make healthier choices. School
lunches and vending machines are loaded with extra fat and calories. Replacing
these junk foods with organic alternatives gives kids better options.

The problem with fast food items and junk food is they lack nutritional value,
while also delivering a high dose of fat, calories, sugar, salt and carbs.
These foods are robbing kids of essential vitamins and minerals. Eating
excessive amounts of these foods leads to obesity and malnutrition.

Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 that lets the
government set new guidelines for nutrition standards in schools. This bill
involves totally revamping the current school lunch program. Healthy organic
alternatives are to replace french fries, pizza, fried chicken, nachos and
corndogs.

School cafeterias are only part of the problem though. 74% of middle schools
and 98% of high schools have vending machines and snack bars that offer endless
choices of junk food. Its important to give kids healthy options. Some healthy
alternatives to junk food include: organic yogurt, gluten-free snacks, nuts,
whole grain crackers and whole fruits.

Junk food and processed foods are cheap and easy to serve. That has made them
easy choices for school lunches until now. Cost has always been a factor in
providing a healthier school lunch. The higher cost of school lunches will be
offset by an increase in government funding provided by the Healthy, Hunger-
Free Kids Act. Federal funds are to increase 6 cents per school lunch thanks to
this bill. It is expected to cover the higher cost of whole foods and may
include the use of healthy vending machines.

Replacing junk food with organic alternatives will ensure that kids get at
least one nutritious meal per day. Trimming calories and fat from school
lunches alone won't cure childhood obesity. Healthy choices need to be made at
home as well, but removing junk food from school lunches and vending machines
is a good start.

Sources:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40949...

http://nutrition1st.com/NewFiles/Ob...

http://nasn.org/portals/0/statement...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/u...

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown...

http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obe...

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