JOIN USA new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has rightly called for a ban on junk food in and around schools. It draws attention to the dangers posed by junk food to the health of children in particular, pointing to the strong links between these food items and diseases like diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases that are increasingly striking children and youth.
These diseases were once restricted to people who are middle-aged and aged. However, obesity, which is the outcome of eating junk food, is becoming common among children and this is an important trigger for diabetes and hypertension.
The report points out that while physical exercise is important, it is not a substitute for a balanced diet. Children need proteins, vitamins and minerals for their balanced physical growth and mental development. However, most junk foods provide little of these. Instead, they are rich in salt and fat that aren’t good for health.
Advertisements selling carbonated drinks, confectionary, noodles etc target children. And when these are made available in schools, children fall easy prey to them. It is this availability that the CSE is seeking to end by recommending a ban on availability of junk food in schools and areas within 500 yards of schools. It also calls for schools to put in place a canteen policy which ensures that 80 per cent of food choices available are healthy.
It says that non-standardised junk food such as samosas, for instance, should be allowed only sparingly and efforts made to make these with ingredients and cooking mediums that are healthier. The CSE report also comes down heavily on celebrity endorsement of junk foods as children – and adults too - are impressed with products endorsed by filmstars and cricket players. The CSE report has valuable suggestions that the government should take seriously.
Additionally, the government needs to relook its menus in the mid-day meals it provides in its own schools. Under criticism for providing food of poor quality, several state governments are giving children packaged food, including biscuits and fried snacks. Children need nutritious and hot meals, not snacks and fast food.
The battle against junk food will not be easy as most manufacturers are powerful multi-national corporations. They are unlikely to accept a ban on the sale of their products in and around schools. The best way to fight them would be to mobilise public support. This will require creating public awareness on the importance of healthy eating.