Nutritional Information

There is no single cause for the rising number of over weight children. This problem has developed due to a long list of far-reaching environmental and social changes that affect virtually every aspect of our daily lives. We have separated some of these issues into three categories

NUTRITIONAL FACTS

• One third of the children in the United States eat in fast food restaurants daily.
• More packaged, pre-processed and convenience foods are consumed.
• Super-sized portions.
• Students are not consuming enough fruits, vegetables and milk.
• Americans are eating more food every year.
• By the time a child starts school -- research shows their eating habits are already firmly established and difficult to change.
• Sugar and refined flours.
• Increased sugar consumption.
• Refined flours have been stripped of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
• Teens are a challenging group -- they are at the stage of growth and independence, where they view food as one of the few choices under their control.
• Children model the nutritional behavior of their parents.
• We live in a society of instant gratification -- with a lack of will power, when it comes to eating.

IRREGULAR MEAL PATTERNS

• Fewer family meals are eaten together.
• More meals and snacks are eaten outside of the home.
• Fewer parents have time to cook.
• 73% of households in the U.S. with school age children have either a single working parent or both parents working.
• Parents have fewer cooking skills than the past generations .
• Meals and snacks are eaten while watching TV.
• Television has become a child-care provider for many parents who are over burdened with work responsibilities.
• Children are feeding themselves after school with the use of frozen foods they can microwave.

DECREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• Research has determined that students spend an average of five hours per day
  watching television.
• Electronic media, computers and games are sedate activities.
• Less physical activity during school.
• Declining after school physical activity.
• Use of motor transport vs walking or riding bikes.
• Fewer "active" chores are given to kids.