Does anyone really think for a moment that this legislation is going to have any meaningful impact on its intended purpose:
The Obama administration will begin a drive this week to expel Pepsi, French fries and Snickers bars from the nationís schools in hopes of reducing the number of children who get fat during their school years.
In legislation, soon to be introduced, candy and sugary beverages would be banned and many schools would be required to offer more nutritious fare. [. . .]
The legislation would reauthorize the governmentís school breakfast and lunch programs. It aims to transform the eating habits of many of the nationís children and teenagers, . . .
No word yet on whether the legislation is also going to attempt to bar students from going to the neighborhood grocery or burger stand after school and buy the Pepsi, French fries and Snickers that the do-gooders wonít let them buy during school.
On the other hand, an initiative that really might generate some beneficial health changes ñ such as providing each studentís family lower health insurance premiums in return for family members maintaining a non-obese weight ñ remains illegal under applicable governmental regulatory schemes.
We really do find creative ways to waste time and energy, donít we?
Adolescent obesity is officially an epidemic and if government wants to approve legislation to combat this then this is good thing.
But isn’t that the point? Why waste time approving legislation that is easily circumvented and unlikely to have any discernible impact on the goal? Wouldn’t the money spent on this program be better spent in providing better nutrition education and economic incentives to improve health?
I’m not sure this legislation would have no discernible impact on the goal . . . speaking for myself, the amount of junk food and sweets that I eat decreases in proportion to how readily available they are, and I think it’s safe to say that the same is true for students.
Don’t we elect state and local representatives to schools board and departments of education? And shouldn’t we hold them accountable as OUR elected officials to manage details like the availability of cokes and twinkies in the schools? This is so very typical of the Obama administration and its focus on nationalizing and socializing what has heretofor been a democratic republic that respected states rights.
I really don’t pressurize to legislation will be effective or not to the nation school whether it was government schools or private the junk food arise troubles when the child is small the junk food not giving the energy to them it will somewhere decreases the potential of child.
So, in my opinion junk food for children is not good enough.
Thanks 🙂
I tend to agree with dievetumano. I was completely surprised when I learned that my local school was selling sugared Gatorade to elementary students. After parents discovered it, eventually after much effort that went away.
How can schools claim to be teaching good nutrition in health and fitness class but then profit from the sales of garbage foods?
As the father of 2 very young girls, I am constantly trying to encourage a healthier diet; however, I do not want the federal government telling me or the school district what they can and can’t eat as that is a local concern. Schools have nutritionists and if parents have a problem with the food that is offered they can discuss it directly with the nutritionist …or (novel thought) they can always pack a lunch for them that contains healthy food.
A problem does exist, though, that schools get kick-backs and revenue share from vending machines and for offering alternative food choices. Private enterprise is constantly trying to find ways to get their products in front of kids, and one way to do this is to pay the schools to allow their products on campus.
Perhaps an alternative to Big Brother mandating what kids can eat is to ban private enterprise from profiteering off school campuses. And, that all food choices be approved by the school district or a local appointed board.
Note to Obama Administration: Get out of the public school system. It is a State and local issue and needs to be dealt with on a local level. If you want to promote something, promote financial responsibility and budgeting practices and then heed your own advice.