Child Obesity

Child Obesity And School Beverage Programs

There was a time when schools regulated the amount of advertising permitted within their buildings. School was thought to be a place where kids could learn without outside interference in the form of a thinly disguised marketing ploy.

Despite the history of schools not allowing advertising many schools are now realizing the benefits of allowing soft drink companies to place their machines inside the school. Some benefits include electronic scoreboards carrying the brand name of the soft drink company as well as providing financial backing. Unfortunately, there appears to be a dark side to the corporate funding: kids are buying and consuming high fat beverages at disturbing rates causing the problem of child obesity to spiral out of control. Is child obesity a problem in your home? If so, it could be due to their consumption of soft drink beverages while they are at school. Read on for some important ways you can help combat this problem.

Just Say No â€" Educating your children on proper and healthy food habits begins at home. No, drinking a soft drink isn’t wrong, but drinking more than one per day can be a problem. Better yet: inculcate your children to discover other beverages that are better for them: i.e. low fat milk, juices made from fruit, and good ‘ole bottled water. If they must have a soft drink, encourage them to think before plunking in their change.

Visit The School â€" By visiting your local school it will become clear that your children are faced with many temptations. If a Coke or Pepsi machine is present, check out exactly what is being served. If there are a variety of drinks present including diet and juice drinks that is good. If the portion size is a 20 oz. bottle, then that is bad. Talk with the school administration about your concerns and see if more healthful drinks can be included and portion sizes reduced. A 12 oz. can is the most any child should have during the course of the day.

Get Involved â€" It is important to raise obesity awareness. Speak to the school administration, to the school board, other parents, and their teachers. If your child’s Physical Education class is in risk of being cut, insist that funds be made available to keep the program going. Don’t just point out problems; come up with some solutions.

In the long run child obesity affects us the most as we age. Child obesity becomes adult obesity translating into health problems, missed days at work, and shorter life spans. You are your child’s chief advocate in their personal battle against child obesity.