Why America’s Children Are Overweight
American schoolchildren are overweight, but it's not necessarily because of school bake sales. And despite recent reports, the sweets-laden fundraiser isn't disappearing completely — it's just going on a diet. The overhaul comes with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, a federal regulation which went into effect July 1, designed to combat childhood obesity and provide better nutrition in public schools.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity has more than quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years and, in 2012, 18 percent of children ages 6 to 11 were obese. But foods high in sugar are just one of the many culprits that contribute to these startling statistics. Processed foods (pizza along with sodas and energy drinks are on the top 5 list) and too much TV are to blame as well. MarketWatch’s Charles Passy explains several more reasons for the increase on the News Hub with Sara Murray. Watch for more insight.
