Schools Must Combat Obesity with Proper Nutrition Essay...

From the time they were in elementary school, students have heard about the importance of nutrition. Although they have been taught the value of a balanced, healthy diet, students continue to ignore the recommendations given to them and even complain about the steps that the school administration takes to improve the nutritional quality of the foods within the cafeteria. While the students may not realize it, obesity in children and teenagers has been steadily increasing, and schools nationwide are taking action to combat this epidemic (Rutledge 1). Schools should continue providing healthy foods on the lunch menu, as well as in the vending machines. The growing problem of child obesity is one of the main factors contributing to the†¦show more content†¦More likely to experience teasing and bullying in school, overweight children have lower self-esteem and a higher risk of depression. Both of which are serious risks to their overall mental health (Afterschool, Alliance, and Foundation MetLife 1). These new findings have led expert to believe that â€Å"the current generation of children could suffer greater illness or experience a shorter lifespan than that of their parents—the first such reversal in lifespan in modern history. That possibility makes childhood obesity an issue of utmost public health concern† (Daniels 61). Evidence has shown that obesity affects school performance, especially children who are obese for multiple years. While it may not be a direct link, studies have shown that children who are obese suffer from low self-esteem, which in turn leads to â€Å"lower academic achievement and attainment† (Hunt). If these students do not reach their full potential, it could lead to long term economic and social consequences. While it is not the only solution to low academic performance, improving the health and wellness of students could result in a higher level of achievement (Hunt). Due the rising childhood obesity rates, schools everywhere have begun to implement various health food standards. In 1946, the United States Department of Agriculture created the National School Lunch Act, which has lead to the development of ourShow MoreRelatedThe On The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act1554 Words   |  7 Pagesthe criteria. It provides information on likelihood of decreasing rate of childhood obesity as well as alternative policy. Reinforcing NSLP in every school in our nation to adhere to dietary guidelines set forth by USDA. In addition, focusing on education and raising awareness among children and their parents even if our nation is on financial crisis especially budgetary and spending issues. Improving child nutrition is everyone responsibility including our late president, Obama. President Obama signedRead MoreObesity : A Serious Health Issue909 Words   |  4 PagesObesity is a very serious health issue in the United States. It is a factor in heart disease, diabetes, and has even been linked to an increased likelihood of certain cancers. Cottum and Anderson (2008) state â€Å"It is estimated that 280,000 excess deaths in the United States annually can be attributed to obesity and morbid obesity when compared to cohorts who have normal BMI† (p. 480). When considering the health issues that Read MoreObesity : The Fastest Growing Causes Of Disease1772 Words   |  8 PagesObesity is amongst the fastest growing causes of disease and death in America. As stated by Obesity Action Coalition (2015), approximately every one in three children is affected by childhood obesity. Presently, more children are diagnosed with cases of hypertension, diabetes, and various other comorbid conditions alongside their condition of obesity (para 1). In order for a child to be identified as overweight, the child must have a body mass index for their particular age greater than 85 percentRead MoreHow Childhood Obesity Rates Have Tripled Over The Last Three Decades845 Words   |  4 PagesObesity is one of the biggest problems in America today, luckily we have people like First Lady Michelle Obama who are on the front lines of the fight against this issue. As our next generation of children grow up obesity will be a battle for them everyday and will continue to be a battle unless we begin to make an effort to solve this problem. Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the last three decades, this statistic alone should be alarming enough to create a sense of urgency in anyone’sRead MoreNutritious Children s Meals : Description Of Current Issue2257 Words   |  10 Pagesâ€Å"Significant excess body weight affects over 25 per cent of children in developed economies†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hawkes and Lobstein, 2011), which presents one of the major markers for poor nutrition- childhood obesity’s prevalence. Although there have been highly publicized pushes for our children to be healthier, such as Michelle Obama’s school lunch program, American children are faced with a future that paints them as being unable to become anything but obese and nutritionally deficit. Changing the content andRead MoreShould Gym Class Be Mandatory For All Grades?1485 Words   |  6 PagesShould Gym Class Be Mandatory For All Grades? Physical education is good for students physically, mentally and socially. Taking proper care of their body can and will result in an unhealthy life and life style that could follow them for the rest of their lives. Schools all across the nation are full of obesity children. One of the problems is obesity, which is a growing epidemic in the United States, and it is said that seventy eight percent of Americans are not reaching basic activity level approvalsRead MoreIntroduction. According To The World Bank, United Nations1581 Words   |  7 Pagesunderweight (2016). Children who are malnourished, especially from the ages of 0-2 years, are at a heightened risk for long term physical, mental, and social consequences. According to Skolnik (2016), 45% of childhood deaths are related to poor nutrition (195). Nutrition is a key factor in many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), either directly or indirectly. Ecuador is already on the right path to meet MDG 1: Eradicate Poverty and Hunger. Poor nutritional status is both a cause and a consequenceRead MoreObesity Is The Most Important Aspect Of Fighting Obesity2092 Words   |  9 PagesObesity is an epidemic that is impacting most of the world. It is not only affecting the older generation but younger ones as well. To understand obesity, specifically combating it, studies about infants (Weber et al., 2014), adolescents (Tarro et al., 2014), and adults (Annesi Tennant, 2014) were used as focal points. It is found through the examination of these articles that nutrition is not the only important aspect of fighting obesity, although it is still quite important. Family influenceRead MoreHow Childhood Obesity Has Become A Dangerous Epidemic Facing Our Country2827 Words   |  12 Pages Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Two-thirds of adults and nearly one in three children are overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. more than doubled from 15% to 34% among adults and more than tripled from 5% to 18% among children and adolescents from 1980 to now. (Brunilda Nazario). These facts should startle you and quite frankly shock and scare you! It is estimated by the year 2020 obesity will be the singleRead MoreNutritional Status, Food Consumption, and Physical Activity Among Chilean School Children: A Descriptive Study3121 Words   |  12 PagesAllocated With The School Nurse And Use Of A Model For Structured Reflection Introduction Child obesity rates are high throughout many parts of the world and there are various reasons held to be the reason that child obesity rates are so high. This study will first examine the literature on child obesity followed by the review of a model for structured reflection. Finally, this work will apply the information reviewed in the literature to the experiences of the writer of this work as a school nurse. I