Child Obesity Speech
If you had the power to save many children’s lives, would you do it? Well there is something we can do as a society so save and protect children. What is it? It’s to ban fattening foods from elementary schools to prevent child obesity. Child obesity has become one of the most popular and serious problem of public health. An article in the Harvard School of public health (2014) mentions that “Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates have tripled in the U.S., and today, the country has some of the highest obesity rates in the world: one out of six children is obese, and one out of three children is overweight or obese” (par. 9). Obesity has negative impact on children’s lives in both the short and long run.
Elementary school is an important and essential part of every child’s life. During this stage is when most of the learning takes place. For most of them home and school are their primary, and sometimes the only, places of learning. What ever they see it is allowed at home or school they automatically think is the right thing. If in school they are allowed to eat junk fattening food they it will create on them a good vision of those foods. They will not see them as harmful and will eat them with no limitations resulting in obese children. Also, the amount of time schools dedicate to physical activity is not enough, and if there is not enough exercise for the children then they should not be given foods that are fattening.
Having obese children also affects them in the long run for example according to Laidman (2013) child obesity is the cause of 1 out of every 5 deaths. One child out of every three will have some sort of health problem because they are over weight, this includes "heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis” ("CDC", 2014). The younger a child becomes obese the harder it becomes to change the nutritional habits, and gaining the adequate weight. Other BMI studies have shown that obesity has a higher liver damage rate than alcohol use (Keller, 2013). If there is a restriction in the age alcohol is used then as a community we should regulate and ban the use of fattening foods in schools due to its harmful effects.
By banning fattening foods from elementary schools we are contributing to creating a nice safe, happy and healthy environment for children. Kids will be benefited in many way for example they will create good eating habits, they will be healthier, and will have more energy. They will do better academically because since obesity is related to ADHD (Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder), then children will do better is school because they will be able to pay attention and stay focused.
Definitely banning fattening foods from schools will contribute to children’s health and it will save many from health problems and even death. If there are dress codes in school, and many other regulations to keep children safe then a regulation of food should also be applied to save many children. We have the way to save many children; will you contribute to the change?
Reference
Harvard, N. A., (n. d.) Obesity Prevention Source: Child Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-trends/global-obesity-trends-in-children/
Keller, D. M, PhD (May 13, 2013). Obesity Trumps Alcohol Liver Damage. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/804014
Laidman, J. (August 15, 2013). Obesity Toll: 1 in 5 Deaths linked to excess weight. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/809516
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