Summary:

Rising rates of childhood obesity and a decrease in parents’ ability to properly identify healthy children is likely to drastic effects on the health of future generations. As the disparity in healthy diets between high and low socioeconomic classes has doubled in the past 10 this issue becomes relevant to South Side of Chicago as many of its residents live over ½ mile away from fresh or healthy food sources. According to former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, “we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents” thus we aim to counter-act this trend by addressing parents and policy-makers who can make the biggest impact on children’s health. Chicagoans have already demonstrated their ability to make nutritious choices when presented with the option by spending more money healthy items rather than “junk food”. IF parents could see the consequences of the food they consume they could help change dietary habits to positively impact their children’s health.

Questions:

1. How are parents trying to help their children maintain a balanced diet?
2. What kind of choices do parents and children have in the food they eat daily?
3. In what ways can public government and policy help to promote nutrition?