Fundamentally I am against banning certain ‘bad’ foods, as I think in most instances individuals should be able to make their own choice. Although improved public health would certainly result if the government outlawed smoking and foods high in saturated fat, that by itself does not make it a good thing.
However, with children (when habits are being set for life) perhaps freedom of choice is not such a good idea. I say this because kids are influenced by their peers, and because they are less educated, and more dependent. As much as they would not like to admit it, when you are young you are not capable of making rational decisions. Whatever the reason, I think school tuck shops should restrict certain items.
A recent year-long study on this very topic suggest a ‘fruit tuck shop’ works, especially when the kids are not allowed to bring ‘bad’ items to school either. So it seems the parents have an important role to play too… Surprise, surprise…
I am sure someone could argue that this will cause a negative rebound when the kids grow up and do have access to ‘bad’ foods. It would be interesting to follow up on the kids in this study in 10, 20, 50 years and see how they are doing. I would bet significantly better than their peers.
May 13, 2008 at
Forget about waiting until the kids are older for a ‘junk food’ rebound.
Some of the kids involved in Jamie Oliver’s healthy school meals program have set up a black market in junk food.
Here’s an article in the Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3828354.ece
May 14, 2008 at
I think that schools are obligated to provide healthy foods to students (whether it be for them to buy or if provided at free or reduced charge). We lived without soda in our school; I don’t see why they had to start making soda available to students. As you say, with school-age children, freedom of choice is not such a good idea, since they are unable to consistently make the right decision without adult input.
However, I am vehemently opposed to the government mandating what foods we eat. Most legislation is based on junk science or no science; remember back when margarine was supposed to be much healthier than butter? Now, the trans-fats in margarine are the “bad guys”. Same goes for eggs; they used to be bad, now they are good.
May 14, 2008 at
Coke pays the school boards to place the machines in the schools. As they say, Money walks, and…
Parents have had to shame the school boards to get them removed. And yet, come time for a new contract, they always have our childrens best interests at heart.
I am sure the teachers appreciate trying to teach young kids flying on sugar & caffeine.
May 14, 2008 at
“… when you are young you are not capable of making rational decisions.”
And that gets better as you get older?