Junk Food #1

Should the sale of junk food in school canteens be banned?

The term ‘junk food’ refers to any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value. (Smith 2005) Having junk food in school in school is becoming prevalent and common as junk food sale brings the most profits to the canteens. Survey on Cook High School has been revealed that the canteen earned profit on junk food sale for more than $10000 per year according to School news (2005). It has therefore fuelled the unhealthy habits of students, leading ultimately to obesity and behavioural problem. Hence, I’m strongly agreed with the voice of banning the sale of junk foods in school canteens because it may cause health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems.

Junk food is unhealthy. It is long being blamed for the increase in childhood obesity. Study has been done down on the junk food production. High level of fat, salt and sugar are actually contributing to the problem of youth weight gain. (Lin 2005) Most junk foods also contain chemical additives to enhance flavor and colour to increase shelf life and attract potential customers. (Smith 2005) Students are too ignorant to the artificial flavouring and colouring which may exacerbate the dental health. Besides, the nutritional value of food eaten by the children may be falling progressively because of increased availability and excessive consumption of fast food.

Moreover, behavioral problems lie vastly under the junk food consumption. According to the child psychologist, Mary Caputo (2005), high contains of chemical additives can trigger behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and collapse in concentration. Students may cause further severe problems such as an increase at each other's throats and vandalism. It is further justified by The Food Show (2005) that teachers have noticed that the removal of junk food and soft drinks from the school canteen can dramatically perk up the students’ behaviour in class. Thus, immediate ban in the sale of junk food in canteens is demanded to ameliorate students’ behavior.

In addition, junk food packaging is the major contributor to litter problems. Littering is hazardous to safety and health. Not only has it weighed down the cleaning costs, it also deteriorate the image of our communities. (Smith 2005) Litter like cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers are ubiquitous, thus burdening the school groundsman to spend a relatively long time to clean the ground. As a result, other maintenance projects that benefit the school are less heeded. (Green 2005) Therefore, schools have to prohibit the sale of junk food in their canteens in order to trim down their little problem.

In conclusion, junk food sale in school canteens has caused major problems such as health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems. According to Australian Nutrition Journal (2004), foods eaten at home by most of the 12-14-year-old Australian children are beyond the recommended intake. This is not merely of parents' responsibility, schools is too a part of the pitfalls. Less of easy access to junk foods can always be the key of shifting the diet habits of the students. Thus, I strongly agree that the schools should ban the junk food sale in canteens for the sake of the students.