 As the issue of childhood obesity expands globally, a research study has found interesting results showing that bad eating habits from unhealthy snacking are the main culprit of extra weight on kids. However, healthy vending could be working in favor for a healthy change, because of the health-orientated products it can deliver.
It may be shocking, but 1 in 3 children in the United States are classified as obese, or overweight. As well, even children as young as 3 years old, are becoming indicators for future heart disease. Even more so, obesity in children is showing a strong correlation to adult obesity, which means children who are obese, might carry that on through life.
Research has shown that kids in the United States consume 3 or more snacks a day and 3 or more full-sized meals, as well. They get one-third or more of their daily caloric intake from snacks. This research was conducted in North Carolina (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill), which made an effort to understand the diet and habits of kids in America, over a 30 year timeframe.
The data set was relatively large, of (or around) 31,000 children, in the 2 to 18 year-old age group. Their findings showed that the major source of caloric intake for children came from desserts, and other sweetened products; as well, salty snacks or candy.
The political attention to childhood obesity is not just stirring in North Carolina, but in Washington as well. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin said that healthy meals must be more affordable, advocated and readily accessible to the American people. Essentially, it is a growing consensus among a variety of social groups.
Further data has shown that the overall rate of childhood obesity has grown 300%, over the duration of 30 years. In response to that, United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack commented that healthy vending should be a top-choice for schools and kids alike, because offering up health-orientated snacks is an easy way to change unhealthy habits.
In addition, federal programs have showed support for the cause with $400 million dollars in federal assistance. The goal is centered on a strategy to bring healthy-orientated food to grocery stores.
The research shows a growing concern for childhood obesity. As well, healthy vending is a response to that, by effectively offering healthy food, snacks, organic brands, and natural foods, which are wholesome and better for children; providing a healthy solution the issue of childhood obesity.
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