Nutrition classes in Texas middle schools - Essay Example

The youth of Texas, aged 9th through 12th grades, reported only 17% were eating the recommended number of fruits and vegetables daily, with about 45% actually meeting the physical activity requirements for people in that age group. They also reported more than 38% drank at least one non-diet soda per day. (Dehghan, Akhtar-Danesh, &Merchant, 2005) The burden of obesity has cost private Texas businesses more than $3.3 billion and the state Medicare/Medicaid system more than $ 5 billion annually.

(Castellon, 2008) The U.S. Surgeon General’s office report that more than 70% of overweight children go on to become overweight adults. Efforts aimed at reducing obesity should be initiated during early childhood with positive role modeling of healthy relationships with food and exercise. The focus should be more on healthy lifestyles as opposed to dieting solutions once the weight has accumulated. (Castellon, 2008) It is projected that by the year 2025, only 14% of adult Texans will be of normal weight, resulting in over $15 billion being spent annually for obesity related health issues.

Texas has already begun to invest in nutrition and wellness education by spending $20 million in support for school physical education, fitness, and nutrition programs for middle-schoolers, in 6th – 8th grades. . (Castellon, 2008) According to an independent study published by the American Journal of Public Health in 2008, the declining results may be attributable to the implementation of the Texas Public School Nutritional Policy, which took effect in 2003. The study collected three years worth of lunch menus and student choices, combined with health evaluations of Texas school children in more than six hundred participating schools across Texas.

The Nutritional Policy aimed at instituting change by reducing availability of non-nutrient items, providing milk, fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy entree items on the menus. The entrees featured foods higher in protein, fiber, vitamins A and C, and Calcium. This study supports that school lunch choices had the potential to impact the problem of obesity showing short term reductions in obesity for participants, with further research being required. (Cullen, 2008) The International Journal of Obesity reported an increase in early onset childhood obesity with more prevalence in Mexican Americans and African Americans than in non-Hispanic White participants.

The fat patterning in these groups was also more noticeably truncal, located around the middle region of the body; this pattern is more closely associated with Type II Diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, and cardiovascular risk factors. (Park, Menard, Schoolfield, 2001) (Guzman, 2011) In taking a closer look at the ethnic patterns of obesity, several factors appear to be involved. First of all, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were found to be less likely to engage in physical activities. This was attributed to less availability of safe areas to perform physical activities.

Secondly, this group was also found to be more satisfied with