Sorry for the text lingo and somewhat sarcastic title. But seriously, how many times and from how many sources do we (our collective society) need to hear the message that things need to change and improve in our schools - academically, nutritionally, in terms of discipline measures... I could go on, but I think you can continue your own list.
I'm going to pass on ANY political commentary, and ask that any reader do the same. The bottom line is that if "75% of young Americans are ineligible to serve their country because they have either failed to graduate high school, engaged in criminal activity, or are physically or mentally unfit.1" (quote from Mission: Readiness http://www.missionreadiness.org/), not only are these young people not able to serve in the military, how well can they serve our country in business, health care, civil service, not to mention educating the next generation!
I do agree that our education system desperately needs to improve the nutritional value of foods served and made available during the school day, and that we must find a way to include daily physical activity. We also need to make sure parents, guardians and caregivers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to teach and reinforce healthy lifestyle skills!
Once again, let's be sure that we are setting the best examples that we can for our communities. Eat fresh, be active, encourage others..... Hey, it's TV Turnoff week too, how's that going?
Maybe news like Mission Readiness will be the tipping point for positive change. Thanks to the recommendation from my sister, I'm about finished reading "The Tipping Point". I'll share more on that, after finals week!
Here's to Health!
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I applaud your efforts to inform people. One of the things that causes this is farm subsidies and corporatism. The goverment gives corporations our tax dollars to subsidize HFCS and other unhealthy ingredients, as well as subsidizing the food stamps that allow unhealthy food choices. IF the food stamp program did not allow such purchases, the food suppliers would be forced to come up with healthier alternatives to provide for that section of the market; and healthier food options would be more widely available to those who now have the least access.
ReplyDeleteMomentum is increasing. There's a new story or a new advocate every day - - from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, to the White House and First Lady's efforts, to the teacher blogging about the awful school lunch she tries to choke down every day, to grass roots efforts like this blog. We need to stay on message and keep messaging and hopefully in the not too distant future a generation of children will have better access, better choices and better information. No effort is too small. Keep up the good fight and I encourage your readers and commenters to do the same.
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