Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Ban of Junk Food


As of May 27, 2010, Mexico has taken a stand and banned the sale of junk food thorughout the schools because they want to prevent kids from acquiring a bulging waistline. Since many of the Mexican Schools do not have a cafeteria, the children buy food from vending machines or get food from vendors. a popular snack that is sold by vendors at lunch is tortas. Tortas are greasy and filled with a lot of meat. The only way tortas can continue to be served is if the people begin to cook a "lighter" version of this meal. Instead of using the greasy meat, they would have to replace that food with beans, avocado, cheese, chicken, vegetables. Other low-fat foods may be sold throughout the schools.
The health department plans to implement this rule by August when the new school year begins. This rule will be enforced in 220,000 public and private primary and middle schools supplying 25 million students with healthier food options. In the last three decades obesity has tripled in Mexico, and with that happening Presidnet Felipe calderon began his nationwide anti-obesity campaign in January. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 are overweight. 4.5 million Mexican children between 5 to 11 years-old are overweight. With the new rule coming into play, under no circumstances will soft drinks or sugary fruit drinks will be sold. Only low-fat milk, water, and flavored water that is unsweetened will be sold. The anti-obesity program will begin to work with the less fortunate schools that do not even offer their students hot meals. Currently, the shcool children are only receiving physical education once a week, but in April the lower house of Congress passed a law that would require the school chidren to have daily exercise.

For full article check out Washington post.

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