The Government Should Not Control What Children Eat

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Recommended: Public health issue childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States, nearly twenty percent of children between the ages of 6 and 11 are clinically obese; however the government has no place trying to control this. (CDC, 2008) The current administration over steps its authority moving beyond the control of federally funded school lunches and into oversight of privately owned vending machines in public schools. Major corporations are being bullied into censoring their advertisement exposure to younger children so that the government won’t impose their own regulations. It is a parent’s responsibility and right to educate their children and control what they eat. The Federal government should not try to control what children eat by imposing regulations at schools, controlling the media, or by taking the responsibility away from parents.

Food in Schools

Every day in the United States millions of children attend school, and depending on their age they or their parents must choose what they will eat while there. There are many choices to make when it comes to controlling ones diet; some of these include bringing your food from home, purchasing food from a school cafeterias, snack bars, or canteens, or buying food from a vending machine. The nutritional value of these choices can vary widely; traditionally food bought in the school cafeteria is considered unhealthy. But thanks to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) a federally funded program that provides free or reduced price meals to those who qualify, and the Let’s Move campaign, a national initiative to fight childhood obesity, school cafeteria food is getting healthier. Both of these programs are federally funded and provide aid to our public and nonprofit private school systems. T...

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Cukavac, T. (2011, April 19). No More Packed Lunches | Scholastic News Online | Scholastic.com. Teaching Resources, Children's Book Recommendations, and Student Activities | Scholastic.com. Retrieved April 30, 2011, from http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3756047

Martinez, M., & CNN. (2010, November 23). San Francisco overrides mayoral veto, bans Happy Meals with toys - CNN. Featured Articles from CNN. Retrieved April 30, 2011, from http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-23/us/california.happy.meals.ban_1_offer-toys-free-toys-veto?_s=PM:US

Scott-Thomas, C. (2009, December 16). Government proposes controls on foods marketed to kids. Food Ingredients - Yeast, Sweeteners, Food fibers, Flavors. Retrieved April 30, 2011, from http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Legislation/Government-proposes-controls-on-foods-marketed-to-kids

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