Why Kids Eat Junk Food

Maribel Castro

October 25, 2012

Professor Rogers

English 1A

Why kids eat Junk Food

 

     Kids in today’s world are becoming addicted to junk food without realizing the effects or consequences of it. They have been chased by junk food in their lives, so that is the only kind of food they known.  Fast food is the principal cause of overweight and it is the most serious dietary issue affecting today’s American children. We also, called it obesity, which is the result of eating more food than what is needed. Childhood obesity in the United States has doubled in the last ten years, due to the parents of these kids that don't realize the danger that they are causing to them. Most people eat fast food because it is cheap, tasty, and convenient. For example, in the United States people is always rushing everywhere, either they run to school, work, to the market, etc. In my case I almost never spend time eating home because I wake up early to go to school, and I do not have time to make my own lunch, sometimes I get home from school and I beverly have time to get ready for work. Another reason for children obesity is that their school lunch is mostly junk food and unhealthy which causes children to pack of unhealthy calories and weight. Obesity in young children is a problem that needs to be controlled and observed for its ongoing effects that will be passed on from generation to generation.

     Similarly, there are many reasons why young children become overweight. One of this reason is because their parents let them eat and drink whatever they want. In these cases, parents are the responsible because they have to be aware of what their children are eating, and make sure if they are eating healthy or unhealthy food. Many parents are always busy doing some other stuff, so they don’t have time to cook homemade food, so they prefer to go into the faster way and buy them a pizza, for example, or take them to McDonalds and get them a kid’s meal. For instance," when parent buy them a kids meal, we all know that they include a toy or a surprise inside, that will make the children to go back and eat more fast food because they know they will get another toy" (Pg.14 Swaing).  Most of these parents ignore that their children are eating unhealthy food, and that they instead are packing them of calories.  Due to the fact, these kids are on risk of healthy problems. Kids eating a lot of fast food and lack of exercise may be a cause of many healthy diseases; For example, heart and vascular diseases, cholesterol, many types of cancer, and diabetes that is one of the most common diseases in United States right now. These kids are not only getting overweight, but also on a high risk of suffer some of these diseases.

     However, children are not only eating junk food at home, but also in school. Many schools in the United States are full of fast food, instead of carrying healthy food. When I was in high school they used to give us a beagle with cream cheese and chocolate milk for breakfast, and all they offer for lunch was pizza, hamburgers, nachos full of cheese and sometimes, Chinese food. At that time, as a student I used to ignore the importance of eating healthy food, until I noticed the consequences in peoples’ bodies. I think, that schools should offer more healthy lunches; organic food will be a great option, due to the fact, that organic food does not contain any synthetic inputs and that makes the food to be healthier. Additionally, I think another cause of obesity in kids is the technology. fifteen years ago, when I was a child and when we didn't have that much technology like electronic devices as computers, video games, television, etc. we used to do more physical activities. I used to see more kids playing in groups and running on the streets, playing soccer, jumping the rope, etc. In my case, my sisters and I used to eat first and then our parents let us play outside. Now I see kids eat first and then go to the couch and watch television for hours, playing video games, without doing any exercise movement. Children should be taught to do more physical activities in order to have physical condition and have a healthy life.

      Junk food has become a serious problem in Americas’ society. Another reason, why kids shouldn't eat junk food is because when children eat junk food their bodies do not produce the necessary nutrients. When our body do not produce the necessary nutrients its function do not work correctly and it can have serious consequences during the time, especially in kids with little bodies, kids do not have all body defenses compared to an adult body, they need to eat the educated nutrients every day in order to feel strong and growth and function adequately. I think that the only responsible of kids’ obesity are the parents. Parents are the ones that have to be aware of what their children eat every single day.  They have to be conscious if their children are eating correctly; they have to be aware of what they eat when they are not home; for example, what they eat at school. Let’s be honest, "Children really learn from what their parents do when it comes to eating, particularly when they see us eating poorly." (Pg.18 by.Julien) That’s why; parents need to support their children in all their healthy decisions. It is sad when a parent is trying to teach their children how to eat correctly, and they instead are breaking the rules. Parents need to be the first to show example and if they want their children to be healthy, they need to start worry for themselves. First of all, Kids tend to imitate everything they see at home. When they are little they want to be like mommy or daddy, they think that everything that they parents do is correct and if they do the same thing they parents are going to be proud of them. But that is not always the case, parents don't always do the right thing, they do mistakes as everybody does. Parents need to be carefully on the example that they are giving to their children in this case that is good alimentation.

    Good alimentation does not include junk food. Junk food is not appropriate for any of us. I think that we are allowed to eat fast food once a month or twice if we want, but in present time most people is eating fast food daily. This habit is causing health issues in all around the world, junk food it is the principal reason of why kids are suffering of obesity. In addition, obesity brings some other diseases that can drive us to death. There are many reasons why obesity is one of the highest issues in America. One possible reason for the increase of obesity, is the facility of fast food restaurants to places of business and specially in schools, making it easier and more accessible for students and workers to grab a quickly, cheap and tasty bite to eat.

 

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

http://books.google.com/books?id=Up_qU0lqsE0C&pg=PA14&dq=why+children+eat+junk+food&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3_-ZUIefIoj-igKjy4HICA&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAw

*Stop junk food aids for kids.

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