The food and beverage industries may actually begin to support measures in Washington to limit the sale of junk food in school vending machines.  While this move may seem surprising, it actually makes sense.  For a company like coca-cola, that probably has over half the drinks in school vending machines, they have divisions in their company that would benefit from a shift to healthier items.  If schools started to sell more of their Dasani water than Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola could care less.  The food and beverage industries also do not want the stigma as "promoters of childhood obesity," one of the biggest health concerns our nation faces.  An official of the American Beverage Association stated: “We recognize that childhood obesity is a complex problem that willtake comprehensive solutions. And our industry is stepping up to do our part."  Many states are looking to fight childhood obesity and have already set rules on what foods can be sold at schools.  The food and beverage industries support a national measure rather than state by state rules that could each be different.  And of course, not everyone is on board with making American children more healthy.  The National School Boards Association argues that what children are fed in schools should be a decision left to local communities.  How can people argue with making kids more healthy?  The food and beverage industries, long-time fighters against limiting junk foods in schools, finally agree its time to try to do something about child obesity.  Yet, of course, someone has a problem with it.  Are people really that power hungry? They cannot agree to a measure that limits junk food in schools because they want to be in charge.  They are scared their community could lose revenue as kids are getting fatter and fatter. It's sickening really.  I am all for the rights of local communities, but I think the National School Boards Association needs to look at what it is fighting against.  It is fighting against a reform that is trying to make American kids more healthy.  That is just stupid.


Article contributed by www.healthplanone.com