Retired Generals and Admirals Say Junk Food at Schools Threatens U.S. Security

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Schools should be doing a better job of feeding America’s youth in order to cut down on their growing rates of obesity, according to a coalition of retired military commanders. Mission: Readiness, a non-profit formed by 130 retired generals, admirals and other senior military leaders, wants to improve the health of young people, and thus the nation’s security. Its new report (Too Fat to Fight) claims 27% of 17-24 year olds are too overweight to serve in the military, considerably reducing the pool of available soldiers, sailors and other personnel to defend the United States.

 
Because dietary habits start young, schools can play a major role in reversing obesity rates. The organization has called on Congress to adopt legislation that will assist educators and administrators to reduce high-calorie, low-nutrition foods available at schools, increase access to healthier school meals and do more to teach children and their parents about healthier eating habits.
 
Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the number of states with 40% or more of young adults considered to be overweight has risen from one state to 39 states since 1995.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
 (Mission: Readiness) (pdf)
Too Fat to Fight (Mission: Readiness) (pdf)

Comments

healthnut 14 years ago
That's it attack the schools and the 1/3 of the total daily calories a teenager will get from eating a healthy well balanced school lunch. Consider the in between snacking and the before and after school stops at the convenience stores which most likely play a bigger part in contributing to obesity. One of the biggest revolutions in our country is the increased time spent on computers, video games, flipping through the 1000 cable channels, text messaging, facebook, my space,etc. Plus the lack of physical activity. Now kids get their activity from structured sports, dance, gymnastics, etc., not the regular playtime activities in the local neighborhoods and parks. Let's also not forget the increased number of impoverished families and kids coming to school hungry where their only meal is at school. An extremely low fat entree does not hold satiety in their stomachs for long. The current lunch standard is well balanced and boils down to balancing out the higher fat pizza with a lower fat tofu entree. Not reducing a higher calorie entree such as a pizza by elimination. I applaud the efforts to adopt legislation to assist educators, but bottom line MONEY without a lot of strings attached is what schools need. Lets divert some Defense Department monies and "bail out monies" to schools, parents AND the surrounding communities and target nutrition education. Stop the attacks on schools and the perception of junk food in schools. There are alot of schools serving healthier meals than what kids eat at home.

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