English B1A CLASS PACK - Bakersfield College

Apart 7Physical activity has also decreased as children spend more of their free time watchingtelevision, spending time on their computer, or by playing video games. The article, “IncreasingObesity in Children and Adolescents: an Alarming Epidemic,” states that “Lack of physicalactivity being sedentary is positively associated with becoming overweight, and 25% ofAmerican children are classified as completely sedentary” and unhealthy (Wilkinson).As children are watching television, they are also subject to countless advertisements forsnack food and fast food commercials. The media targets children because they count on themto persuade their parents to purchase the item advertised. Unfortunately, some parents give in totheir children and may also reward their children with food treats and snack foods because theyfeel guilty for not being at home. According to Weight in America, in March 2009 PresidentBarack Obama signed the congressional omnibus appropriations bill aimed to set standards formarketing foods to children aged 17 and younger (Wexler 66). The bill stipulated that thestandards should consider “calories, portion size, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, added sugars,and the presence of nutrients, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to the diets of such children,”as well as “evidence concerning the role of consumption of nutrients ingredients and foods inpreventing or promoting the development of obesity among such children” (Wexler 66). Settingstandards for marketing foods to children is one method to help in the fight against childhoodobesity. Researching and developing effective early intervention is also another method that canbe used to combat obesity.Since childhood obesity rates have increased substantially, and the health and emotionalwell-being of children are at risk, intervention strategies are a must. Promoting healthy eating isvital if children are going to develop good eating habits and eat nutritious foods. In an effort to27