Argumentative essay draft #2

Junk food is referred to any food with low nutritional value and considered to be unhealthy. (Smith 2005) Lin (2005) also states in his article that the nutritional value of food has dropped over the past 30 years because people start to consume more and more junk food nowadays. According to Medical Association President, Dr Cray, junk foods prohibit students to get the adequate amount of nutrition they need in growth and this will reduce their learning potential. (The Food Show 2005) In my opinion, I strongly support the banning of the sale of junk foods in school. Therefore, it is indispensably necessary for us to discuss the reasons why junk foods should be banned in schools.

Junk food is unhealthy. Most junk foods contain synthetic chemicals to improve the flavour and colour as well as to prolong the shelf life. Proven, many of these chemical additives are believed to cause behavioural problems in children, such as hyperactivity and poor concentration. (Smith 2005) This theory is further supported by Caputo, a child psychologists, in The Food Show (2005). In addition, Lin (2005) also states that junk foods have high levels of fat, sugar and salt. These junk foods include takeaway foods, pre-packaged meals, sugary snack foods, instant noodles, potato chips and chocolate bars. Some of these junk foods will increase the calories level and lead to childhood obesity. This problem is getting worse as young people now seldom exercise. If childhood obesity is not handled carefully, heart diseases, osteoarthritis and some cancers will be the consequences in future. According to Dental Association, a drop in dental health of Australia primary-school children is also linked to the habit of eating junk food.

In addition, schools have the responsibility to take care of the students' welfare and safety, including their health. (The Food Show 2005) According to Lin (2005), thirty years ago most students brought home-made food such as sandwiches and fruits to school rather than eating in school canteens. On contrary, many students nowadays consume junk food as their lunch in schools. Lin (2005) also quotes from Reynolds that the sale of junk foods in school is one main contributor to obesity in youngsters nowadays. Reynolds also claims that healthy foods in canteen can help the schools to establish healthy food policies more efficiently as the students will get appropriate knowledge about good nutrition and good practice of balanced diets. If the sale of junk foods is not banned, the students may think eating junk foods has no spillover effects. In short, the banning of the sale of junk foods are necessary to ensure a healthy lifestyle led by the students at home as well as in school.

Another problem which is caused by the sale of junk foods is the increase in litter as students just throw away cans, crisps packets, cartons, and plastic containers everywhere in school compounds. If the sale of junk foods is banned in schools, the litter amount will be greatly reduced. As a result, school groundsman can take shorter time to clean the school grounds and thus spend more time in maintenance projects. (The Food Show 2005) Besides, litter is considered as a safety and health hazard and it also causes the cleaning costs to rise and brings down the image of our communities. (Smith 2005) Last but not least, according to Jack Green, a teacher in Hillview Primary School, in The Food Show (2005),after his school has banned junk foods in the school canteen, there is an impressive improvement of students’ attitudes in class, particularly that they have become less hyperactive after lunch.

In a nutshell, junk foods must be banned in schools. Childhood obesity should not be underestimated because serious health problems will arise in future out of unbalanced diets now. Foods such as biscuits, cookies, confectionery, hamburgers and soft drinks have low nutritional value and therefore should be avoided in daily diets. (Health Foundation 2005) Furthermore, government should provide funds to support health policies in schools. It is only a small price to pay for the future health of our country. (Lin 2005)