Should Junk Food Be Banned in Public Schools, Research Paper Example

In thought to be a highly controversial topic in the present society, the sale of junk food in schools is being considered to be banned. The number of obese children is alarmingly high, and although there have been steps taken in order to eradicate sugary foods, and cut down to a more standard lunch offering, the number of children that are obsess has not changed. In the present schools, children are able to bring their own lunch that might contain snacks and sugary treats, and they still have the options of buying food through a vending machine. Research has been proven that if given the choice between a healthy snack, and bag of chips or a sugary sweet, the children would often pick anything but the healthy. As a nation that is moving towards adopting a healthy lifestyle, the question is asked in order in the best interest of the children, should junk food be banned in schools. While this is a conflictual question, there are many people that agree that junk food should be banned, while others feel that it should be left up to the children. It is necessary to discern the differences between junk food and snacks, because healthy snacks are offered at school. However, it is the snacks and treats that are littered with sugar, and high in fat that has been the problem in the last decade. As students have turn to gorging on these junk foods rather than eat fruits, vegetables, or diets that are low in salt and sodium. There are no beneficial values to junk food, it increases children’s chances for diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems that are due to an imbalanced diet. However, the biggest problem with junk food is that it contributes to the growing paradigm of obesity in America.

Should Junk Food Be Banned in Schools?

Introduction

In the recent decade, the rate of obesity has increased substantially to the point that the government has had to intervene on the eating habits of American school children. The epidemic that is alarming is the number of young individuals that are obese or severely overweight, that is the highest it has ever been. There are many contributing factors as to why this problem persist, however, at the root that many people believe is the eating habits that are pursued in schools. There have been many advocates and protests across the country that have tried to do their due diligence of eradicating childhood obesity by targeting the schools. These demonstrations include protesting bake sales, banning soda in schools, and creating a stricter and standard serving sizes in the schools. All of these activities have drawn severe criticism, while also drawing much praise for trying to make a change.

The question however, that is posed is should junk food be banned in schools? This is contentious question that will draw arguments from both sides of the spectrum, however, the best way to look at the question is by breaking it down to its roots. School is an institution to learn, and by supply meals to the students they are providing them nutritious supplements that are needed in getting through the rest of the day. By allowing the children to snack on junk food they are contributing to the overwhelming problem of obesity in America, and doing a disservice to the students by providing them with the tools, and adding to the problem. This paper is set up to answer the initial question, while also supporting the arguments over the matter with secondary research and empirical studies dedicated to finding solutions to the debate, while also providing scientific data to back up their findings. This research will hope to further the debate by providing clarity to the issue, and finding a solution for both the schools and students.

Background

The number of people that were reportedly obsess sparked in the late 90s and with the younger population in the 2000s as the introduction of gaming consoles, rise in the time spent in front of the television and the computer, and longer hours at school have all played a pivotal factor in contributing to obesity. The rise in obesity has also been a contributing factor the increase in childhood diabetes, heart disease, stress, and mental and physical problems for young and older individuals. Available to students in the cafeterias, are a la carte lines that specialize in serving junk food that range from chips, candy, brownies, snacks, and other treats that are high in sugar and fats, and low in nutritionist value. The question arises should junk food be banned in schools? This has sparked contentious debate that involves teachers, school administrators, students and parents, and government officials on both sides of the spectrum giving their opinions. This is crucial because it encompasses not only the powers of the government in implemented a strict standard in public schools that take away the power of choice, but also in trying to find a balance that changes the rate of obesity that is continually increasing each year.

Problem and Purpose Statement

The problems of obesity can be yield a plethora of explanation stemming from the prices of junk food versus healthy food, to the convenience of junk food given to individuals, as well as the influence from celebrity endorsements of fast food places that are chronically shown on the television and the internet. The number of hours that children spend in school has increased over the last decade, and school vending machines serves as convenient filler ups, for children that are naturally hungry throughout the day. The purpose of this study is to try find the answer to the question posed, why also finding solutions that create a balance between the rights of individuals and the powers of the government to make a change to reverse this problem. By banning junk food in schools, the rate of obesity will rapidly dropped, as children will be forced to eat healthy alternatives.

Research Questions

In coinciding with the initial purpose of this paper, the primary research question that will be explored is should junk food be banned in schools? Other questions that will supplement this research paper include: If junk food is banned will the amount of young individuals that are obese decrease? Should the schools be responsible for the way the students eat? Are parents at fault for influencing unhealthy eating habits?

Methods and Results

In order to get results for this type of research, the design will follow methods that follow a qualitative approach. These methods in includes surveying students in both middle schools and high schools, whose ages range from 11-17 years old, both male and female students, from diverse backgrounds and income levels, and academic progress.  The sample size will also include school officials, teachers, and parents that have children who go to public schools, which is unrestrictive to income, ethnicity, income level, or education. This group was chosen, because they are the ones that interact with the students on the daily basis. The parents are sometimes at fault for not encouraging a healthy lifestyle, but also the school officials should implement policies that reflect eating healthy choices. So all of their opinions matters, especially the students. The sample will be 200 to 300, with evenly distributed number of one-fifth from each category. Not only will the respondents be able to ask questions, but also answer a survey question, but this method also includes offering a one on one ethnographical style of interview approach. This approach is relevant and substantial in gathering more data and information that is comprehensible in understanding the respondents’ answers. In the interview, confusion can be cleared up quickly, as they are able to ask a question and expect feedback on the survey given. Each method is commonly used in research, which helps in providing a relaxing and intimate setting, where there is increased interaction between the interviewee and the interviewer. There are weaknesses however, in this approach where the level of engagement is dependent on the response of the respondent, as well as conflict of personalities can hinder the environment during an interview, where both parties do not click. This will cause the respondent to give contrite and invalid answers, which can add to the complications of survey design and questions being asked. In surveys, the respondent will often answer quickly, without looking at the question, and the answers will be invalid because they were not able to answer truthfully. Although this approach has several pros and cons, this is the most common and sustainable approach when gathering data for social contexts. This research will be guided by using semi-structured ethnographic interviews, and surveys as the primary research methods. For the research to be effectively measured in determining the effects of junk, who is responsible for unearthly eating habits, and the banning of junk food in schools. Descriptive research methods exhibits particular subjects, and are used as a precursor to additional qualitative studies.

The questionnaire that will be given to the sample groups that will be given throughout the start and the end of the school year. For greater analysis the interviews and surveys, will initially be recorded by tape and hand, however, the sample size will have the choice of email responding. The interviews will last generally or 15 to 20 minute, with an additional open-ended and structure format that is used in a conversational approach. Throughout the process field notes will be recorded, as well as observations of the students during lunch time, and at the end of the day, with additional information from research, and colleagues on the subject. Research question will be asked in order to get a better assessment of the respondents’ perspective and awareness over the issues. A series of questions based on the research will be asked in order to gather their answers for efficient and effective results. A portion of the questions includes: (1) Who does the shopping in your household? (2) How much junk food do you consume on a weekly basis? (3) How much junk food do you eat at school on a weekly basis? (4) Do you feel you eat an unhealthy or healthy balanced diet? (5) Should the school be responsible for what the kids eats?

Discussion

The qualitative analysis of this research is based on the data gathering procedures from the results of the interviews, questionnaires’, and surveys given out to the respondents. The results gathered from this research will potentially help in getting the consensus of how students, parents, and school officials feel on the matter, and how their beliefs can help in exacting accountability. The data will be measured using quantitative data collected from the surveys that will be statistically analyzed through SPSS. This will provide a more verifiable conclusion to the data collected from the respondents, and come to an accurate picture using the multivariate variables to draw a conclusion. This analysis made from interviews and questionnaires will collected on tape recorded, and hand written notes that will be easy to look over and come to an assessment in which should support the hypothesis, and answer the research questions on accountability, and if junk food should be banned.

This is research is based on the primary question of should junk food be banned from schools? In answering this question, the researcher can take several approaches as their numerous explanations of why this question is being asked now. By looking at the gathered data on the number of obsess children in America alone, the numbers are staggering, and by breaking it down further to go by state by state, one could start to form a pattern based on income, ethnicity, background, education, and so on. However, this research asks for information based on accountability from the schools, the parents, and students. In this case, are the schools responsible for what the children eat? Are they fostering an environment in which supports unhealthy eating habits, while also teaching health? The answer to both is yes. If that means to ban junk food from schools then yes, and the school should implement better food policies that teaches on the benefits of eating healthy, and forming better habits. The problem also lies with the parents that also encourage unhealthy eating habits, by continuing to by fatty foods, and not encourage eating a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables. Learning begins at home, and through child development, children learn to repeat behavior and habits that they witness in the homes. So if the parents are not following a healthy lifestyle then the children will not either.

Obesity is a serious problem, and many researchers, health official, and many others are trying to find a solution in which to reverse the growing rate of obesity in America. However, there are certain factors that need to be changed before, a decrease in obesity can happen. It begins first at home with the parents, and then is left to the school. The school is an educational institution that is imbedded with the responsibility to teach children to make good educational choices. By promulgating an environment in which children are free to snack on fatty and sugary foods, just adds to the growing problem. Schools should ban junk food, and then impellent a policy in which pushes for eating healthy alternative, education children, and their families on the benefits of eating a healthy balanced diet. This should began in primary schools, since they are still developing and learning habits, teaching them good choices now will help in them making good choices later in life. Encouraging play time, or physical activities is also beneficial. Junk food is a bad for people that eat it in large amounts as the youth do. It leads to several health problems and complications. It is with this research that it adds to finding a solution.