Obesity And Children - School Vending Machines Dispense Excess Calories

Posted on November 6th, 2009.

Cutting to the chase, despite efforts to include more healthy choices at schools, choices from vending machines – including fruit juices – are giving students more calories than they need. A HEALTHY Study, conducted by Temple University to find out more about obesity and children and type 2 diabetes in school students made a not so startling discovery. Vending machines, at least those in the polled middle schools, offered choices with way to many added sugars, and snacks over 200 calories.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006092509.htm

: Image via Wikipedia

The point of the study is to change what kids are eating in school, reducing the amount of excess calories consumed. Fruit juices containing added sugars or made from 100% juice are of a concern for obesity and children because of their high caloric intake respectively as well as predisposed for type 2 diabetes. Drunk in moderation, 6 ounces or less per day is considered healthy. In excess is not. While a range of baked good were available in the vending machines as well, the study showed overall, that the energy content of beverages ranged from 0 calories for water and 325 calories for added sugar drinks, and snacks were between 25 calories for low fat ice cream item to 480 calories for baked goods.

“The program’s goal is to ultimately remove all juice and sugar added beverages, offer water instead and eliminate candy from vending machines,” said Virus, who is also president of the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association. This would help prevent obesity and children will no longer be expected to make ‘the better’ choice because all choices available would be ok.

This is only the beginning. The HEALTHY study has set an ideal limit of 200 calories for vending machine snacks for its participating schools. Additionally, the program also plans to improve the total food environment, which includes the cafeteria meals, a la carte, vending machines and student stores. More also includes physical education and health classes.

Getting rid of soda and pop and all sugary choices helps curb obesity at any age and stages of development. I’m just concerned seeing more and more obesity and children overweight at younger and younger ages.
-admin Thinexa Natural Weight Loss Supplement