by rmellace

Created on: September 16, 2009

With the fairly recent skyrocketing of childhood obesity, it would be a positive influence on children if soda vending machines were absent within the school building.

With that said, no convincing of the reader that the "child obesity in America" issue is solely due to these bubbly soft drinks is being made. There are plenty of other additions to this change that could be taken; healthier lunches being one of them. However, through the removal of these vending machines, the first step towards a healthier lifestyle will begin.

After all, children are taught in schools. And not just the basic four subjects. They are taught what parents should be teaching them. In this day and age, it seems as though the school is relied on entirely too much to be the parental figure. But, that is an issue for another time. So, through schooling, children are taught to socially interact, to cook, to clean, to manage their check books and to exercise properly. They are taught self-care and function outside of parental rule; self sufficiency. Why does it seem as though healthy eating is lacking in this life curriculum?

Notice, in the beginning paragraph, it was said absent and not restricted. Good behavior and eating habits are cultivated at a young age. Since the schools are playing parental figures, if the individual schools were called to teach and enforce healthier eating habits, then perhaps this would not be an issue. Then, perhaps, a limited amount of soda vending machines could make their home within the school building.

But, America is so wrapped up in bad eating habits that this would truly be counterproductive to this cause. Truth is, soda, itself, is fine in moderation. It's when the child ingests nothing but this soft drink that it becomes a concern and that's exactly what America's youth is behaviorally taught. Children as young as a bottle drinking age are given this soft drink and continually given it as they progress through the years. Among the physical downside, this enforces the behavior that soda is a fine substitute for more nutritionally valued beverages.

So the only feasible solution that seems to be is a complete removal of this beverage inside the school premises and a substitution. A substitution of perhaps fruit juices and waters? Or a milk vending machine? A healthier choice to what is available now.

Besides, soda is so readily available at countless other spots; our homes included. Why do the children need them during school hours? Simple answer is: They don't.

Once this has begun, other healthier options can being to fall into place. This would be the first step towards a healthier youth in America.

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