According to a recent study, the average California teen has many more fast-food restaurants near their homes and schools than they do grocery stores and these teens are more likely to drink soda and eat fast food. Ya think!?!
Getty Images / Jupiter
The study, done by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, recommended incentives to create healthy food outlets, such as farmers markets and grocery stores, in under served neighborhoods and implement farm-to-school programs that bring fresh produce to school cafeterias.
Fast food is a big draw for teens when it is easily accessible and is a bad-food habit among teens. This can be seen by the crowds of teens at any fast food place after school hours. While I do think many teens are doing better at ordering more healthy foods, that isn't the norm yet. I feel our best defense against food related health issues is good offense. Try making good food tasty and as easily accessible as fast food and your teen is going to want to eat it. Or allow study sessions with friends in your home after school, complete with good snacks. Every little bit helps form those good habits we want our teens to have.
More: Parenting Quiz: Are you raising a healthy eater?
Getty Images / Jupiter
Fast food is a big draw for teens when it is easily accessible and is a bad-food habit among teens. This can be seen by the crowds of teens at any fast food place after school hours. While I do think many teens are doing better at ordering more healthy foods, that isn't the norm yet. I feel our best defense against food related health issues is good offense. Try making good food tasty and as easily accessible as fast food and your teen is going to want to eat it. Or allow study sessions with friends in your home after school, complete with good snacks. Every little bit helps form those good habits we want our teens to have.
More: Parenting Quiz: Are you raising a healthy eater?
Comments
No comments yet. Leave a Comment