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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2011)
December 21,2011____________________________ ®>!» ^Jortlailh (Dhscrtn'r _O pinion All I want for Christmas is Pizza and French Fries? Children need healthier food choices decisions about our health without the benefit of education, awareness, re sources, and good support systems. Oftentimes we don’t change our habits or lifestyle unless we see a real perceived by B arbara B aylor threat on our life, and Last month, Congress even then we might not passed a spending bill make a change. that unraveled school To say that our chil health lunch standards dren alone can make good proposed by the U. S. d ecisions about w hat Department of Agricul foods to eat is a crock. ture that aimed to revamp nutritional Yes, they would rather eat pizza and standards for student’s subsidized French fries. We agree that parents meals. should model good health routines The USDA proposals suggested and good eating habits at an early cutting back on salt; reducing age, and we must not put all the starchy vegetables like potatoes, blame on parents when this doesn’t com, lima beans and peas; and add happen. ing more fresh fruits and vegetables. We cannot negate the fact that The USDA also proposed not parents need im portant protec counting tomato paste on pizza as a tions and support and partner vegetable. ships. Think about this. We have Food companies that produce elim inated structured physical frozen pizza, the salt industry and education in schools. We have potato growers lobbied heavily allow ed vending m achines in the against the changes and some con h ig h s c h o o ls . F o o d d e s e r ts . servative members of Congress (neighborhoods that are m ore have called the push for healthier than a m ile from a superm arket) foods another example of “Nanny prevent access to healthy foods. State” overreach indicating that the Food com panies dictate w hat government should not be telling foods can and cannot be served in children what to eat! our schools. The term “Nanny State” refers to We all have a responsibility to policies where the government or see to it that our children grow into state is perceived as being exces healthy productive children. As sive in its desire to protect, govern obesity rates increase, life expect or control particular aspects of so ancy decreases and health care costs ciety. Personally, I do not believe keep rising. It will take intentional, that’s what was being proposed coordinated and integrated efforts, here. faith organizations, communities, As a public health professional, schools, families, and yes the gov I understand how it could be per ernment, to continue raising aware ceived that efforts to reduce child ness about this critical health issue hood obesity might be seen as con and to work on developing effective trolling, since Public Health is policies, programs and nutritional charged with improving the health standards. of communities through education, As we celebrate the holidays, no promotion of healthy lifestyles, re doubt we may all eat some pizza and search for disease and injury pre French fries. If we do, let us also vention. remember to include healthier food Today, one in three children and choices for our children as a gift of adolescents are diagnosed as obese life and love. or overweight, and we are left to Barbara Baylor is the minister ponder this sobering reality. As o f Heathcare Justice fo r the United adults, we often do not make good Church o f Christ. ■ S u b scrib e 503-288-0033 Attn: Subscriptions, The | $60.00 for 6 months • $110.00 for 1 year Portland Observer, PO Box | $200.00 for 2 years (please include check with form) 3137, Portland OR 97208. I N ame : ________________ I T elephone : I I A ddress : I ________ I or email subscriptions@portlandobserver.com Tabe the Tabe Page 7 Every Tuesday 5:30 - 7:15 p m fust w all» in Northeast Health Center 5329 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. 2nd Floor Bring or mention this ad to get a FREE A ANONYMOUS or CONFIDENTIAL test for HIV! Your child can have health benefits 1-877-314-5678 www.OregonHealthyKids.gov No-cost and low-cost health coverage for ALL uninsured Oregon kids and teens under 19.
