Federal $$ to Fight Obesity in SA! (San Antonio, Anton: renting, how much, school district)

[majormadmax]

This should be interesting...

Federal $$ about to change the shape of S.A.

It's a problem that has plagued our city for years.

San Antonio consistently ranks among the worst cities in the country when it comes to obesity, but a new effort may finally whip San Antonio into shape.
That's because the newest effort is backed by more than $15 million in federal stimulus money.

Part of the grant money will go to programs that encourage kids to exercise, some will go to a ride-to-own bicycle program, and some will pay to expand healthier food options at schools (full story).

So, how much of an impact does everyone think this is going to have?

Cheers! M2

[kevcrawford]

Just like so many other government programs, it's a total waste of money. I can solve the problem for free. Get parents to take away the playstation, stop shoving Big Macs down their kids throats and kick their tail into the backyards.

It's got nothing to do with school food, etc. It's parenting plain and simple.

[elnina]

Probably very little if any.

[firstclassflyer]

Put the cookie down!!!

[mamatotex97]

great, glad our money could go to waste. again. I agree, this is a parenting issue. surely theres a better way to use the money...

[mamatotex97]

Originally Posted by firstclassflyer

Put the cookie down!!!

...but I like the cookie...(movie quote)

[elnina]

I think that a wise step to fight the obesity would be to ban all the advertising of fatty food and sugar loaded drinks. Kids want what they see....
If banning advertisements for cigarettes targeted at children helped decrease smoking, I bet limits on fast food advertising would make a positive effect. It will not remove obesity in children completely but certainly will make a bigger effect. Another option is by making equally good commercials of healthy food products. The money should be spend on that!
(One only needs to look at the marketing of McDonalds. It's aimed at children from 1 year on. They make it a fun place and serve sugary hamburgers, milk shakes, and greasy fries. Ronald McDonald is a plus - a thin clown.)

[LindaGrace]

They need to start with taking soda machines out of the schools. Why in the heck would a school district agree to have soda vending machines for the kids?

Same goes with other snack machines, if they have them - easy access to sodas, chips, and sweets would make plenty of kids ignore the healthier (if boring) choices available at lunch time.

[kevcrawford]

Originally Posted by LindaGrace

They need to start with taking soda machines out of the schools. Why in the heck would a school district agree to have soda vending machines for the kids?

Same goes with other snack machines, if they have them - easy access to sodas, chips, and sweets would make plenty of kids ignore the healthier (if boring) choices available at lunch time.

Nonsense. We had soda machines when I was at school years ago. Snack machines too.

Sodas don't make people fat (just like drinking a diet soda doesn't make you skinny). Sitting on your butt makes people fat.

[kevcrawford]

Originally Posted by elnina

I think that a wise step to fight the obesity would be to ban all the advertising of fatty food and sugar loaded drinks. Kids want what they see....
If banning advertisements for cigarettes targeted at children helped decrease smoking, I bet limits on fast food advertising would make a positive effect. It will not remove obesity in children completely but certainly will make a bigger effect. Another option is by making equally good commercials of healthy food products. The money should be spend on that!
(One only needs to look at the marketing of McDonalds. It's aimed at children from 1 year on. They make it a fun place and serve sugary hamburgers, milk shakes, and greasy fries. Ronald McDonald is a plus - a thin clown.)

The minute you open the door for regulating of all types of advertising, the minute you open the door for regulating of EVERYTHING.

McDonalds has been around for YEARS. It's in EVERY country. It's all about parenting and self control.

Just because someone puts a baseball bat in front of you doesn't mean you have to pick it up and start hitting yourself with it.

Fast food is great...in moderation. Just like everything else. People are just looking to blame a lack of self control on others.