preview

According To Kimbro, “Approximately One-Third Of U.S. Children

Better Essays

According to Kimbro, “Approximately one-third of U.S. children are overweight, and sixteen percent are obese.” (Kimbro 20). This quote refers to children who are struggling with overweight problems at an early age and more likely to become overweight adolescents and adults. Kimbro gives the reader a very clear, concise definition of childhood obesity without using vague, euphemistic, or emotive language (Chaffee 2012). Obese and overweight children are increasingly diagnosed with type two diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and certain cancers. Some people say childhood obesity is genetics and lack of exercise. Children might be obese because of family history with obesity and do not exercise. One factor is food at home and school. Children …show more content…

According to Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, “Students are more likely to be obese, and weigh more if they are income-eligible for reduced price school lunches.” (Schanzenbach 44). Children that qualify for free reduced program which eat school lunches are likely to be obese because the lack of nutrient, high fat, sugar, and salt in foods. On the other hand children that do not qualify for the program and take their lunch to school are less likely to be obese because the food eaten contains more nutrient, less sugar, salt, and fat. Therefore school lunch eaters consume more calories than those who bring their lunch. School districts are under a budget and oftentimes nutrition is at the bottom of their list. Instead of serving fresh fruit, vegetables, and freshly cooked meals to students the school districts rather stay profitable. For some children, school food is the only reliable meal and have no other but to eat it. This program is an excellent way to stop kids from starving, but it does not have enough nutrient which causes children to become overweight. School meals and vending machines which contain high in fat, sugar, and salt are likely for children to become overweight. According to Barry Yeoman, “Schools are partly to blame for childhood obesity because of the high-fat, high-calorie foods they serve.” (Yeoman 2009). For example schools menus list bacon cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pizza, burritos, chicken sandwich, and cheese nachos. The foods served

Get Access