Jan 21 2008
Getting on the right track
First, I would like to address the feeds that I had forgot to talk about in my first post. In my google reader, BBC news, NPR, NYT, and google news all send me subscriptions to “nutrition in schools” or some thing along those lines- that being my topic of choice. So far, I have found it extremely beneficial for this project, if nothing else, I feel like for once I know a little something that is going on in the world, even if the topic isn’t so “serious” like that of war or politics. There are a few other sites that I want to add along with some blogs that I think may be useful, which I’m planning on doing soon.
So getting back to the topic at hand, I read an article today about Senator Boone from West Virginia and his fight against an unhealthy school snacking system. Boone makes many of the same claims that I talked about in my first post but goes a little further with vending machines.
According to the Register-Herald Boone said, “I think they’re going to buy whatever is in the vending machines and the school system then is not going to get harmed too much financially.”
I concur on Boone’s thinking. Schools stress so much about losing that extra, useful money they attain from keeping vending machines, but the truth is that if a student is hungry enough to spend the little spare change they have clinking around in their pocket, it’s most likely that they will buy whatever is available. Which it’d be great if their only option was good for them, Boone stated that things like high fiber snacks, low fat foods and 100 percent fruit juices would be terrific alternatives to pop and chips. So what brought this to his and other West Virginians attention? Their dental heath which is near the bottom in quality. Which most dentists will tell you, having bad oral health should be a sign that smacks you in the head telling you that other health problems are to come.
Later Boone said, “We have to look out for the kids’ health rather than a few dollars.”
Even though the article ended more with a look at oral health than physical, it is all connected. A teen with bad health will develop strong self-esteem issues that have a pretty good chance of carrying on throughout the rest of their life. Being overweight, bad teeth, and other problems will only make it harder to find a job, relationship, and happiness. I know it sounds a little shallow but putting that aside, thats the way that America functions. I wish that it wasn’t but on the bright side, being healthy is better than nothing. It’s refreshing to see Boone take a real concern into these students. If one state changes that others will surely follow, hopefully soon enough so that the majority of students have a chance at change.
Boone senator declares war on sugary school snacks in W.Va.
Published: January 20, 2008 11:23 pm by The Register-Herald
By: Mannix Porterfield
http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_020232336.html
2 responses so far
Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)
I agree with this post. Kids in school often do buy whatever is available to them. I have always thought it to be interesting that school administration feels helpless in discussing poor nutrition in the schools. It seems like they place the blame on the kids and their lack of nutrition knowledge.
I realize that schools receive money and funding from what they make through these vending machines. However, many big corporations like Nabisco and Coca-Cola now make healthier alternatives to potato chips and Mountain Dew. 100-calorie packs and flavored water would be great choices to include in vending machines, and schools could keep their same ‘contract’ or deal with the companies.
If kids are hungry, they WILL buy something to eat. If all that is available is an apple and salad, their human instincts will override their taste buds. A solution to many school nutrition problems could be changing what is available to students.
[...] http://genricha.edublogs.org/2008/01/21/getting-on-the-right-track/#comment-15 [...]