Last year, President Obama signed the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act which centered on better meals in schools. Michelle Obama is overseeing it as she focuses on her mission to help kids across America stay healthy.
Obesity is a major issue in America today. As of 2006, 34 percent of US citizens are obese, triple the amount of what it was around thirty years ago. Childhood obesity has reached a record high but the Hunger Free Act will hopefully be a step in the right direction towards lowering those percentages. Much of the weight gain comes from the food provided in schools today. A normal lunch would consist of pizza, tater tots, and hot dogs to name a few. Consuming that kind of food five days a week is damaging to anyone’s body. With the new meal plans implemented in schools, there is going to be a wider assortment of food to choose from. Most notably will be the extra addition of vegetables and fruit including meats that are baked or grilled as opposed to fried.
Healthy diet habits must continue at home, though. Parents need to be more aware of what they are feeding their children. Nowadays, healthier organic foods are affordable and should be a requirement for any household. Just incorporating salad in to the everyday meal is a start in the right direction. Poor eating habits can lead to low immune system or diabetes, a terrible disease to get at any age.
The one good thing about the various media outlets is its access to information on children staying healthy and active.