Obesity in the United States

Unit 2 ELA Performance TaskClassroom Activity

Grades 6-8

What are the health consequences of obesity in childhood?Obese infants and children are likely to continue being obese during adulthood and are more likely to develop a variety of health problems as adults. These include:– Cardiovascular [heart] disease– insulin resistance (often an early sign of impending

diabetes)– musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis - a

highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints)– some cancers (endometrial, breast and colon)– disability.

Happy Meal Commercial

The Cereal Aisle

HHFK ActCongress passed the Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 with bipartisan support to help ensure every American child had access to the nutrition they need to grow into healthy adults. One goal of the law was to help reduce America's childhood obesity epidemic and reduce health risks for America's children by helping schools across the country produce balanced meals so children had access to healthy foods during the school day. USDA based the new school meal standards on independent, expert recommendations from the Institute of Medicine to ensure kids are being fed healthy food while they are at school.

Reactions to HHFK Act“Our kids come first. That is why communities … demanded change, and supported access to healthier meals for all students.” American Federation of Teachers

“One concerned parent remarked that her children, characterized as being in the 99th percentile of height for age, claim the new lunchtime calorie restrictions leave them hungry in the afternoon. Another parent described how her eighth grade son no longer gets enough to eat to sustain him through two hours of football practice.” Senator Tim Johnson, SD