Nutrition is a hot issue nationwide. According to the Institute of Medicine 32% of American children are obese. It is estimated that the bill for treating diseases caused by childhood obesity will be 147 billion dollars. Wow!
One of the culprits is the good old school vending machine which is often filled with candy and other sweets. As an Encino dentist I am appalled. Fortunately the situation is improving because dentists and parents can see the consequences of high sugar snacks. It is not a pretty picture. For example, when the child has 7 cavities needing the new white fillings and the bill is $500 parents take notice. The situation is no longer ignored. Action is in order
Here are some surprising numbers. According to the Washington Department of Health between 19 and 50% of a child’s daily food is consumes during school hours. About 88% of schools have some type of snacks for sale, most with a heavy dose of sugar. In fact some people feel kids now have a sugar addiction. Did you know that a can of soda has 39 grams of sugar and a chocolate milk has 30 grams of sugar. Wow!
In Seattle the schools sell health foods by order of the local school boards. Good for you Seattle. Since the change there has been a 90% reduction in the sales of junk food at schools. Wow! Since 2010 there has been a Federal program run by the Department of Agriculture. This program will set guidelines and norms for childhood diseases such as dental caries. It will set a benchmark for what is normal and that is a start.
Many schools have adopted programs where the vending machines are turned off much of the day because of parental pressure. It is a good start. . To our credit Encino dentists are preaching to mom and dad like never before for sugar reduction. Children seem to be grazing all day. Cookies at lunch, ice cream after dinner and a candy bar in between is common around here. This is a disaster as far as dental health is concerned. Moms and dads are now the perps. Is it a felony or misdemeanor?
In the final analysis it is the parents that must work with their kids to teach them the value of proper nutrition. We dentists do our best to educate parents and kids in the brief time we see them. It will take a team effort to get our kids to pick an apple over a Twinkie.
My grandson had his first birthday last week. I got some great pictures as he ate with gusto his first cupcake. That is how it starts. Sugar addiction. My daughter is now a perp. OMG
Tip of the Day: Make one hour one day a week Candy Time. Eat as much as you can time. Then brush those little teeth. Granted that won’t be easy but it’s worth a try. It worked for me a long time ago. Finally, remember to always use a fluoride tooth paste for both kids and ADULTS. Every family dentist should be recommending it. It is good stuff.
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