Unhealthy Choices in Vending Machines can lead To Chronic Childhood Obesity

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Unhealthy Choices in Vending Machines can lead To Chronic Childhood Obesity

As the US is celebrating the first-ever National Obesity Awareness month this

September, more and more research and study are being conducted to pinpoint the

real culprit in the increase in childhood obesity rate across the nation causing

chronic problems and poor diet. Recently, Early Bird Diabetes of Peninsula

Medical School shows that obesity may lead to inactivity but inactivity does not

lead to obesity and that decrease physical activity or movement may actually be

an indicator of fatness.

Other obesity researchers on the other hand said that the role of exercise or

physical activity cannot be underestimated because inactivity and obesity goes

both ways. Now comes a new study from University of Michigan Medical School

showing that school children who are consuming food purchased in vending

machines are more likely to develop poor diet which may be associated with being

overweight, obese or at risk for chronic health ailments such as diabetes and

coronary artery disease.

The study also shows that any other food served in school competing with the

USDA lunch program pose the same health and diet risk. The National School Lunch

program is a meal program for public and non profit schools and residential

child care institutions funded federally. It gives low-cost nutritionally

balanced meals. The study also suggested that fresh vending snacks and drinks

should be available in the school vending machines.

The University of Michigan Medical School Study is the first to look

specifically at competitive foods and beverages sold at snack bars and vending

machines rather than what the USDA lunch program offers. Among those surveyed in

the study, 22 percent of children eat competitive food or vended food items in

school a day. Consumers of this competitive food and beverage had shown

significant higher sugar intakes and lower dietary fiber, Vit.B level and iron

intakes as compared to non-consumers.

This study must be an eye-opener for every educational institution to look at

the nutritional content of vending machines installed at their school grounds.

With the nationwide fight against obesity, more and more schools are claiming

that they are already complying and serving healthy meals in their school. This

should be double-checked. It is recommended that school administrators plan

guidelines to restrict unhealthy foods in vending machines and encourage more

healthful foods for student. The report stated that schools should consider

healthy vending programs by companies such as Fresh Healthy Vending that offers

fresh food choices and organic snacks and drinks in it’s healthy vending

machines. It is a well know fact that a healthy and well nourished child will

perform better in school and will have a full academic potential, physically and

mentally.