Some high school students have fought back against Queen’s Park using a YouTube video to try to quash the ban on junk food in schools. Students from St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Brampton, Ont., said they have the right to decide what they eat.
Health does not start by stripping students of choice — health starts at home. There comes a time when we have to stand up for our choices,” said 18-year old Samuel Battista in the video entitled, “Calling for Change.”
Battista, who is one of the students behind the video, is asking others to take a stand by sharing the video on Facebook and Twitter.
He said many students just leave school property to get the French fries, pizza and non-diet soda they want anyway, and schools are losing profits as a result.
Food and nutrition specialist Rose Reisman said the government has good reason for the ban.
“Because our health care costs are just too high. We’re having to treat you guys in 10-15 years with diseases that should have been hitting you in the 50s,” said Reisman.
“I hate to say this, but [the students] should be given a choice. But, here’s the thing — educate them while you’re giving them the choice,” she added.
Who’s side are you on with the junk food ban? Should the government step in to keep our kids healthier? Or should we just trust our kids to make the right choices?
1 Comment User Comments
Add a commentRainbowRay
May 8, 2012
12:14 pm
I’ve “read” alot about this subject and on child obesity and how “inactive” many Canadian children are today. Some of the causes for this include, “the types of food choices made” and of course, “not getting little or any exercise” AT ALL (there need to be more active families out there; my dream is to have one).
As for choices, in terms of food, I agree with what one student said in that video about “moderation” (same with drinking), but I’m definately in favor having more “healthier foods” in the school system. I wouldn’t get rid of the “snack vending machines completely”, but at least the kids will have an “option and are able to make the choices” on their own. Still, educating them is an important factor and I still like the idea of “starting them when their young” (especially about the importance of making choices and learning about consequences of those choices made, whether it be about food or something else). This will bode well for them by the time they get into high school. Who knows what high school cafeterias will look like in terms of “food choices” in the coming years? WIll have to wait and see.
Yes, the students should have “choices”, but “education” is also key and if the Mcguinty can do that (they were starting this initiative when they were first elected and I hope they continue to do so), then all the better for the students, families and the schools as well; don’t you agree?
LOVE
RainbowRay