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Thursday, October 25, 2007
‘Pimping’ Kids Health For Profit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many of our students maneuver through each day with a weight problem. Understandably, the school nutrition program, and its effect on childhood obesity, has become a matter of public interest. However, another threat has been multiplying prodigiously within our schools: beverage and snack vending machines.
They now consume every available cubbyhole on campus.
Last year, Dr. Grant Rivera, the principal at South Cobb High School, replaced many of the high-sugar offerings in vending machines with healthier alternatives. Still, the thirst for profit at the expense of student health is a controlling force in too many other schools.
Not only is it medically destructive, the accessibility of junk food is also detrimental to the learning process.
It’s first period on a Monday and a third of the class has no pencil or paper. Yet, just prior to the tardy bell, students have been pushing bills through the omnipresent silver slots. Parental cash is providing a serious junk food stash. Unfortunately, the carbohydrate “highs” are providing diminishing cognitive returns.
During instructional time, a student may have a legitimate need for the toilet facilities. But there are three, strategically placed containers, filled with glistening packages, winking at them by the restroom entrance. (By the time the student returns to class, the food may disappear, but the trash doesn’t!)
Vending machines are irresistible to money-hungry administrators. However, athletic teams, extracurricular programs and graduation venues were financially viable when there was only one drink machine located adjacent to the field house.
Public education should not be harming our students’ health to provide a discretionary fund bonanza.
Why are we pimping our kids’ health for profit?
Today’s guest blogger has taught high school English and special education for 25 years. She says vending machines are her big gripe this school year. Last year, it was students with cell phones. If you would like to be a guest blogger here, send an e-mail on any education topic to bgutierrez@ajc.com. Please include the words “guest blog” in the e-mail’s subject line.
