Kids Fast-Food Consumption
"Kids Consume 12% of Their Calories from Fast Food, Data Shows."
Article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/09/16/kids-fast-food-calories/72325838/
Data source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db213.htm
This article in USA Today from 9/16/2015 outlines data collected by the CDC about child fast-food consumption from 2011-2012. The statistics break down age groups between children 2-11 years old and adolescents 12-17 years old, with the latter age group consuming 17% of their calories from fast food. Frequent fast-food visits for kids results in a higher amount of calories taken in, but with a poorer nutritional value. These number raise alarm as the childhood obesity issue carries on, with the appearance of chronic disease usually not seen until adulthood. It also puts emphasis on the power fast-food companies have with this market and the opportunity they have to market healthier products. The article encourages parents to try planning ahead and preparing/packing more food.
This article is important in community nutrition because it reiterates the idea that the easy choice is going to be the first choice. Fast-food is convenient, inexpensive, and typically, unhealthy. This perpetuates the challenge to dietitians that eating healthy has to be made easy. Continuing education in the importance of healthy meals, especially for children is vital. Additionally, educating on healthier fast-food options is essential. I remain optimistic about this issue, as a trend for consumer concern involving health and sourcing of food has made fast-food chains incorporate healthier meal options and be more transparent about food sourcing and use of human antibiotics in their meats.
-ER
Article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/09/16/kids-fast-food-calories/72325838/
Data source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db213.htm
This article in USA Today from 9/16/2015 outlines data collected by the CDC about child fast-food consumption from 2011-2012. The statistics break down age groups between children 2-11 years old and adolescents 12-17 years old, with the latter age group consuming 17% of their calories from fast food. Frequent fast-food visits for kids results in a higher amount of calories taken in, but with a poorer nutritional value. These number raise alarm as the childhood obesity issue carries on, with the appearance of chronic disease usually not seen until adulthood. It also puts emphasis on the power fast-food companies have with this market and the opportunity they have to market healthier products. The article encourages parents to try planning ahead and preparing/packing more food.
This article is important in community nutrition because it reiterates the idea that the easy choice is going to be the first choice. Fast-food is convenient, inexpensive, and typically, unhealthy. This perpetuates the challenge to dietitians that eating healthy has to be made easy. Continuing education in the importance of healthy meals, especially for children is vital. Additionally, educating on healthier fast-food options is essential. I remain optimistic about this issue, as a trend for consumer concern involving health and sourcing of food has made fast-food chains incorporate healthier meal options and be more transparent about food sourcing and use of human antibiotics in their meats.
-ER
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