Coursework-Nutrition/Dietary

Coursework-Nutrition/Dietary

M4 Discussion: Childhood Obesity
The Problem, My Solution

Watch the television, read the paper or listen to the radio. No matter what your news source, the word on the street is that childhood obesity is on the rise! Unfortunately, research has determined that childhood obesity increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and numerous other chronic diseases.
For this discussion, you will propose a solution to childhood obesity. Your proposal should address the following questions: What factors contribute to childhood obesity and what are some potential solutions? As a society, it is important to be pro-active toward our children’s future; where do you feel society has gone wrong? Finally, develop your own “nutrition intervention” to address this epidemic. Your proposal can be applied at any level, including, but not limited to, families, schools, communities, federal programs, corporate initiatives, etc. Your solution should be well conceived and provide specific steps for implementation.
Please follow the format exactly as it is presented below. I am not looking for this to be a blame game. By all means, provide the class with reasons for childhood obesity. However, it is necessary to address how you plan on being part of the solution! All posts must be research-based (based on factual information) and properly referenced. If you start a sentence with, “I think…”, start over. I am not looking for your opinion on obesity, I am looking for current statistics and data on the state of this epidemic in the US.
Please post your proposed solution to childhood obesity, and remember to respond to at least two other people’s postings.
Some Specific Requirements and Guidance for your Proposed Solution to Childhood Obesity
Please keep in mind that throughout this course we have been trying to dispel myths and misconceptions about human nutrition. For this reason, please provide referenced information to support your comments or statements. For example, do not say, “school’s allow vending machines and students can access them for high fat snacks”. This statement is vague and does not provide any supportive data. For all you know, I made this up.
Here is an example of the correct way to present your entry:
The Problem: Children spend, on average, thirty hours a week at school. Meals and snacks are provided for those children who wish to purchase or receive them. The issues that often arise surround the overall “healthy” composition of the meals that are offered. Currently, the New York legislature is considering three bills (which originated in 2007) that would govern nutrition standards for school foods. One bill (AB 8743, SB. 5892) would establish the Children’s Healthy Access to Meals program (CHAMP) to set statewide nutrition standards for all food and beverages sold to students, including a reduction in consumption of foods high in total fat, trans fat, saturated fat and sugar. New York is also pushing legislation (AB 8642, SB 8698) that would create strong restrictions on both school meal and competitive food sales. The comprehensive bill would eliminate trans fat from school meals, as well as set limits on sodium and cholesterol. The legislation also requires schools to offer a vegetarian entrée. (National Conference of State Legislature, 2013)
Personally, I have three children in elementary school. While I know they have been taught the importance of “healthy food choices” I want to make sure they have healthy options available. To respond to the problem by saying, “Don’t allow your children to purchase food at school” does not address the larger issue. Lunches and snacks will continue to be offered in NYS schools, so policy needs to be in place to allow for healthy choices to be made.
My Solution: The program I propose to decrease the occurrence of childhood obesity is The FIT ‘N’ FOOD Program. In this program, school aged children would earn “points” for the amount of physical fitness/activity they participated in during the week. The “activity” would have to be documented and the child would require the signature of an adult verifying what activity was conducted, for how long and when/where it was done. In school, the student would ‘earn points’ for selecting (and purchasing) a nutritious meal. Cafeteria food items would be assigned a symbol with a star indicating it was an approved FIT “N’ FOOD healthy choice. Cafeteria workers (hopefully the cashier) would list and sign for each food or beverage chosen bearing the star as a “healthy” choice. The program prizes would be funded by the food companies offering the healthy foods (because aren’t they ultimately benefiting in the long run?) When a predetermined number of points is achieved, the student is awarded with prizes. There would be levels of points and items would range from music downloads to clothing to sports equipment and electronics. Points would expire after a certain amount of time and would not be transferable.
This solution addresses my concerns regarding healthy food choices in schools. If children are motivated by the alluring prizes, they will be purchasing more healthy foods and beverages from the cafeteria, thereby resulting in little or no need for vending machines.
School Nutrition Association, pp. 39068: Trans Fat and Menu Labeling Legislation
Please post your proposed solution to childhood obesity, and remember to respond to two other people’s postings.

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