I found this TED talk when searching for clips for my Public Health Nutrition class. I found it to be a great snapshot of the issues there are with food, nutrition and obesity in the US, but also the solutions. I think the solution part was the most important and moving portion. By now most people know that there is a big problem with food, nutrition and obesity and that there needs to be a change, but there has yet to be a solution. I liked how he acknowledged that people such as school lunch workers are doing their best and doing what they are told, but this is what needs to change. He goes on to explain the real and tangible changes that can and need to happen. | |
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Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past thirty years. Obesity is becoming the fastest growing cause of disease putting children high at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other health problems. Psychological effects can also occur such as low self-esteem, negative body image, and depression. It has been argued, whether or not this leading epidemic is the individual’s responsibility or if food marketing is the leading cause of child obesity.
I just wanted to say a few words regarding our Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP serves to provide free lunches to schoolchildren over the summer who would usually receive them during the school year. (As a college student I see the word ‘free’ and my eyes pop out of my head…if only I was still in grade school.) What we, as outreach fellows, observe is a lack of participation in this program compared to the regular school year. In fact, only 16% of eligible children participated in last year’s SFSP. Why do you think this is? As I speculate some things come to mind.
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