Ethics Paper - Childhood Obesity and Nutrition Essay Example

Abstract Schools may have an ethical obligation to help in the prevention of the increasing propensity toward childhood obesity. School programs can be implemented to improve the nutritional quality of students’ diets. Students spend approximately one third of their day in school and consume one to two meals there per day, therefore justifying the importance of the responsibility to advise dietary behaviors and influence healthy decisions. In consideration of these logical methods, the ethical dilemma arises as good actions conflict with those that may be seen as a conflict of interest by interfering with the choices of children and their parents, faculty, and the community.
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects millions of children and adolescents. This disease is a growing public health concern that must be addressed at the prevention level as opposed to the treatment level, as healthcare has traditionally held its focus. The costs associated with this epidemic continue to rise to astounding levels. These costs are not only monetary, but more importantly, they are the costs associated with the loss of the ability to live a healthy life. While treatment is undeniably important in taking care of our nation, efforts must be made at multiple levels to prevent the problems our country is going to continue to see if we do not.
Schools have a responsibility to protect a student’s well being and to implement policies that will benefit the student and the community in which the student lives. Implementation of these policies can be a challenge as decision makers and supporters have opposing opinions and raises ethical concerns. The idea behind schools is more than teaching students academically, it also includes a responsibility to support student health, both physically and emotionally. Nutritional health and well being has long been taught and known to support academic performance. It is also known that students who are well