Hunger, along with obesity

By The Daily Progress

Published: November 21, 2008

Here’s a troubling irony:

The number of children who go hungry in America is virtually the same as the number of children who are obese.

According to a report released this week by the U.S. Agriculture Depart-ment, 16.9 percent of children faced “food insecurity” during the past year. The term is defined as not regularly having access to enough healthy food to sustain an active lifestyle.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already had reported that some 17 percent of children ages 6-11 are considered obese, while 17.6 percent of children ages 12-19 are obese. (The CDC numbers are from 2006; the USDA figures, from 2007.)

Why the parallel in numbers?

Experts disagree on the reasons for childhood obesity, which are many, but some say that the low cost of fattening foods compared to healthier fresh fruits and vegetables is a contributing factor. Poor families looking for the most economical foods for their budgets may buy more pastas, breads and potatoes.

Other possible causes for obesity include too much time in front of the computer or television set and not enough time in active play, or — by some lights — too much marketing of sugars and fast foods to young people not disciplined enough to make good choices.

Even schools have come in for criticism for putting too much pasta and pizza on cafeteria menus, and stocking vending machines with soft drinks. Many schools are replacing soft drinks with milk and juice choices, but schools often note that they must offer something that children will eat, since too many kids bypass the salad bar.

Some groups advocate regulating television ads that market fast food with a hip, young style likely to appeal to children. Constraining free enterprise and freedom of expression may appear sensible, but such responses carry a flaw. Any loss of freedom conditions us to further losses — until we risk becoming numb to the creeping denial of liberty.

Sometimes we must forgo the easier solution for the more principled one.

Schools have a major role to play in setting good examples and teaching about nutrition. They also have the right to contract with vendors who will supply healthy foods in machines. Such a choice uses the freedom of the marketplace to reach a desired result — a far cry from constraining that freedom or denying others the right to make their own choices.

The original responsibility of course lies with parents; they are the first influence on children’s eating behaviors. Educating parents about the healthful eating must be part of any strategy to combat childhood obesity.

A troubling aspect of the USDA report was the increase in number of people facing hunger: Fifty percent more children experienced “disruptions” in their food supply in 2007 compared to 2006. And that was before the current economic crisis took full effect.

The impact is already showing up at social service agencies, food pantries and federal food programs. And it is likely to grow further.

Educating parents to buy better foods is all well and good, but parents also must be able to afford better foods. For the short term then, an increase in public and private assistance, such as charity food banks, surely will be necessary.