They say knowledge without wisdom is foolish and fatal. Modern technology has brought so many advancements that people can today produce pretty much anything, including delicious, decadent food. Without wise eating habits, that same delicious food can, however, be a time-bomb to one's health. Ironically, the more delicious delights mankind are able to produce, the more important healthy eating habits have become. Knowing and loving healthy food from a young age has become crucial in a society that is flooded with tempting, artificial and sugary cuisine that is fast taking its toll on the youth.
In earlier years, parents were totally in control of their children's meals and eating habits. Lunch boxes contained mostly sandwiches, fruit and healthy snacks to provide kids with the needed energy and nutrients for a long school day and there were few temptations other than swapping sandwiches or fruit with a classmate. Today, the old lunch boxes have been replaced by feeding schemes or tuck shops at schools. The more affluent kids buy whatever they fancy at the tuck shop, while kids from poor families often have nothing to eat or can only afford the cheapest sweets or gum available. The sad part is that school meal vending machines mostly stock unhealthy junk food with little or no nutritional value.
A 2003 survey conducted at more than 200 schools in and around Washington revealed shocking statistics regarding the junk food sold via most vending machines. It was also argued that these junk-popping vending machines are money-making rackets and in direct competition with the goals of national school health food schemes and meal programs that are supported by the governments of most countries.
The study found that a whopping 75 percent of drinks and 85 percent of snacks sold via these vending machines were of poor nutritional value. Most beverages were flavored sugary drinks such as soda, sports drinks and iced tea, while water formed only 12 percent of the overall beverages on offer.
Entrepreneurs soon saw the gap and privately owned kiosks became a popular alternative to formal, regulated meal programs in more affluent countries and schools. Unfortunately, the profit to be made out of these fast food outlets played a bigger role than the quality or nutritional value of the food sold - with detrimental consequences.
Studies have shown that most school vending machines stock mostly junk food and sugary beverages that have very little or none nutritional value. For some kids, this junk food is the only meals they have for breakfast and lunch - the two most important meals for growing kids. Since owners of these vending machines do not have to comply with dietary regulations, they can pretty much sell whatever food they want.
The alarming increase in obesity and other diet-related health problems among young children caused an international outcry for healthier school meal programs during the last decade. It is, however, impossible to enforce and regulate such programs on a national or international scale. In poor countries, many feeding schemes fail due to corruption, mismanagement, or lack of funding.
The only solution seems to be to instill a solid knowledge and love of healthy food in kids from a young age. That way they can make a calculated choice and demand healthy food at schools themselves.
In earlier years, parents were totally in control of their children's meals and eating habits. Lunch boxes contained mostly sandwiches, fruit and healthy snacks to provide kids with the needed energy and nutrients for a long school day and there were few temptations other than swapping sandwiches or fruit with a classmate. Today, the old lunch boxes have been replaced by feeding schemes or tuck shops at schools. The more affluent kids buy whatever they fancy at the tuck shop, while kids from poor families often have nothing to eat or can only afford the cheapest sweets or gum available. The sad part is that school meal vending machines mostly stock unhealthy junk food with little or no nutritional value.
A 2003 survey conducted at more than 200 schools in and around Washington revealed shocking statistics regarding the junk food sold via most vending machines. It was also argued that these junk-popping vending machines are money-making rackets and in direct competition with the goals of national school health food schemes and meal programs that are supported by the governments of most countries.
The study found that a whopping 75 percent of drinks and 85 percent of snacks sold via these vending machines were of poor nutritional value. Most beverages were flavored sugary drinks such as soda, sports drinks and iced tea, while water formed only 12 percent of the overall beverages on offer.
Entrepreneurs soon saw the gap and privately owned kiosks became a popular alternative to formal, regulated meal programs in more affluent countries and schools. Unfortunately, the profit to be made out of these fast food outlets played a bigger role than the quality or nutritional value of the food sold - with detrimental consequences.
Studies have shown that most school vending machines stock mostly junk food and sugary beverages that have very little or none nutritional value. For some kids, this junk food is the only meals they have for breakfast and lunch - the two most important meals for growing kids. Since owners of these vending machines do not have to comply with dietary regulations, they can pretty much sell whatever food they want.
The alarming increase in obesity and other diet-related health problems among young children caused an international outcry for healthier school meal programs during the last decade. It is, however, impossible to enforce and regulate such programs on a national or international scale. In poor countries, many feeding schemes fail due to corruption, mismanagement, or lack of funding.
The only solution seems to be to instill a solid knowledge and love of healthy food in kids from a young age. That way they can make a calculated choice and demand healthy food at schools themselves.
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