Alert: Child Nutrition Month!
Can you be obese AND hungry?
According to Joel Berg, executive director of the New York Coalition Against Hunger, “Hunger and obesity are often flip sides to the same malnutrition coin…Hunger is certainly almost an exclusive symptom of poverty. And extra obesity is one of the symptoms of poverty.”
According to nationwide statistics, 18.5% of Americans were food insecure at some point in the last year – that means there was a time when people did not have the money to buy the food their families needed. In fact, 62% of teachers report buying food for their classes at some point using their own money because their students don’t have the money to buy food.
Think child hunger has no impact on a child’s ability to learn? Take a look at this two minute video:
You can download the full report of the study conducted by Share Our Strength. When learning or behavioral problems arise, teachers and parents often overlook the fact that sometimes, it’s because the child is HUNGRY.
To make matters worse, the food that makes you fat and unhealthy also tends to be cheaper and more affordable. You may have seen Nonna Joann of BabyBites post about her 1- year old Happy Meal. If her food didn’t change after ONE YEAR, would you want to feed this to your child? But it is a lot of food for not a lot of money.
Source: BabyBites
So what can we do?
Well, did you know that April is Child Nutrition Month? In its second year, the Global Child Nutrition Foundation and School Nutrition Association to raise awareness and funds to fight child hunger…and child malnutrition. Supported by Congress, it is also working to advocate for the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization. The Senate just passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that calls for an increase of $4.5 billion over 10 years to address childhood hunger AND childhood obesity because they are connected. For example, programs will include new nutritional standards in schools. This bill is a step, though is not the $1 billion per year President Obama had requested.
What can you do? Write to your representative and senators. For more information on how to take action, check out Food Research and Action (FRAC).There is no excuse for children to get to school hungry or have access to only unhealthy, cheap food that leads to obesity and other preventable diseases. Preventable.
Sound the alert.
Category: Featured Articles: Food Politics, Featured Articles: Health & Nutrition, Food Politics, Health & Nutrition, Kids & Food
About the Author (Author Profile)
With a flair for spontaneity, pizzazz, creative excellence and her own unique sense of aesthetic grace and perspective, we have our very dear friend, Belinda (or B, to some of us). Although an incredibly accomplished professional and career woman, B’s down-to-earth approach and demeanor transcends all scenarios, communities and people. She manifests, in her day-to-day, the essence of the word “Zomppa” as demonstrated by her extraordinary commitment to creating sustainable and positive change for us and future generations to come. She’s asked for a dog every year since she was five. Check out Belinda’s work on global education research and coaching: www.hummingbirdrcc.com or more about her portfolio www.belindachiu.com.Comments (8)
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Sites That Link to this Post
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Thank you very much for sharing such informative article. Parents should take note of that!
This is a great post. Thanks for sharing. It’s sad to know that many NY children were so hungry they couldn’t concentrate at school.
Really a great post B – feel free to post the whole thing on BACFF as a blog post.
Giz
Thanks, all, for reading and for caring!! It’s the only way we can change things for the better.
Obese and hungry, yes unfortunately this is possible for bad nutrition.
I’ve just post an article near this theme of unhealthy eating and control-portions.
I can’t believe that this Mac combo is for 1 year old baby – this is insane!!
All the best,
Gera
Thanks for the informative piece, Belinda. I’m wondering where you got that photo of the McDonald’s happy meal??? Did you take it? Did you eat it? As much as I try not to eat out, I do dream (occasionally) about Mcdonalds. Is that terrible?