SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In 2010, the U.S. took an important step to help end childhood obesity by observing the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month for the first time. While the annual observance has brought awareness to this preventable epidemic, more can be done. By 2020, roughly 19% of children in the U.S. will have obesity.
The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented. Communities, organizations, families and health professionals can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and be more active. Healthy YOU Vending honors National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and is committed to doing its part to end childhood obesity by offering equipment especially suited for healthy vending in schools and elsewhere.
Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems typically found in adults, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition to these serious health conditions, childhood obesity can lead to other repercussions. Obese children are more likely to have obesity as adults. This can lead to lifelong health problems. Additionally, children who have obesity often face other physical and societal challenges in their young lives.
It's a fitting month to raise awareness of childhood obesity, as most children return to school en masse in late August and early September (even in 2020). On average, kids in the U.S. spend about six hours per day in school. Thus, much of their daily calorie consumption comes from within these institutions.
To help offset a troubling historical trend of unhealthy snacking in schools, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) set standards for snacks and drinks sold during school hours. Established in 2014, Smart Snacks in School aims to ensure kids have access to healthier options than the confectionaries, fat-filled baked goods, sugary drinks or greasy potato chips common in school vending machines before the standard took effect. To meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, snack foods sold during school hours are required to have:
- Less than 200 calories
- Less than 35% of sugar
- Less than 200 mg of sodium
- Zero grams of trans fat
- Nutritional value instead of "empty calories"
Healthy YOU Vending helps provide snacks and drinks in school vending machines that meet or exceed the Smart Snacks in School standards. Working together, states, communities, organizations, schools, childcare providers and parents can make healthier options an easier choice for children in order to help curb childhood obesity.
Healthy YOU Vending is the world leader in the healthy vending industry. With corporate offices in Kaysville, Utah, the Healthy YOU Vending team is dedicated to making healthier snacks, drinks and food products more accessible to people across North America. All company vending equipment is privately manufactured in the United States at a state-of-the-art facility. Owner/Operator opportunities for serious-minded and health-conscious entrepreneurs are currently available in most states.
SOURCE HealthyYOU Vending
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