Have you ever wondered why eating healthy foods is so much more expensive then the not-so-healthy counter choices that are available? Sure food in general is cheaper now than it has ever been, but with getting lower prices we are also giving up lots of the foods’ nutritional value. In today’s society, scientists have done amazing things through the development of synthetic vitamins and nutrients that can only be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Nowadays these synthetic vitamins are commonly found in GMO products, specifically corn. The US government has had such a high influence in the production of corn and in extremely large quantities. Everyone has heard of high fructose corn syrup (hfcs), which is in basically every processed food. The reason for this huge increase in the production of hfcs is because of how drastic the population in America has increased. Because of this population increase and the continually decreasing number of farmers in America, those that are still farming need to be much more efficient then years past to keep up with the high demands. In order to be more efficient, farmers need to genetically modify the foods to be resistant to pesticides and herbicides to keep labor costs down (spraying fields for weeds rather than picking the weeds out). Because of the modifying to the foods genetic structure scientists take the opportunity to add in additional synthetic nutrients to make the food more abundant in nutrition. The reason to all this isn’t the farmers or the governments fault. Granted they are still the ones producing and controlling the production of these foods, it is up to the consumer whether or not they will continue to buy and demand these foods that are full of GMO’s and synthetic nutrients. Yes they are cheaper, but is it really worth it?
by David Alsept (9AM) Have you ever wondered why eating healthy foods is so much more expensive then the not-so-healthy counter choices that are available? Sure food in general is cheaper now than it has ever been, but with getting lower prices we are also giving up lots of the foods’ nutritional value. In today’s society, scientists have done amazing things through the development of synthetic vitamins and nutrients that can only be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Nowadays these synthetic vitamins are commonly found in GMO products, specifically corn. The US government has had such a high influence in the production of corn and in extremely large quantities. Everyone has heard of high fructose corn syrup (hfcs), which is in basically every processed food. The reason for this huge increase in the production of hfcs is because of how drastic the population in America has increased. Because of this population increase and the continually decreasing number of farmers in America, those that are still farming need to be much more efficient then years past to keep up with the high demands. In order to be more efficient, farmers need to genetically modify the foods to be resistant to pesticides and herbicides to keep labor costs down (spraying fields for weeds rather than picking the weeds out). Because of the modifying to the foods genetic structure scientists take the opportunity to add in additional synthetic nutrients to make the food more abundant in nutrition. The reason to all this isn’t the farmers or the governments fault. Granted they are still the ones producing and controlling the production of these foods, it is up to the consumer whether or not they will continue to buy and demand these foods that are full of GMO’s and synthetic nutrients. Yes they are cheaper, but is it really worth it?
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Food allergies in children are on the rise. Today it is estimated that 6-8% of children have at least one food allergy. That means that the condition is affecting up to 1 in 13 children (1 Noimark, Cox). That is quite a large number and the effects of this has been studied little but it is definitely something that needs to be researched.
The most common practice for dealing with food allergies is to eliminate the food that causes the reaction from the diet. This isn't so bad when it is just one food that the child has an adverse reaction to, but what happens when it is whole groups of food. There are eight foods that cause around 90% of all food allergies; The main culprits are eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and wheat (1 Groetch). All of these foods are seen as nutritionally high value foods. That being said it is hard to find equivalents to replace the needed nutrients. Making this and even larger problem is the perceived prevalence of food allergies. That number is said to be as high as 20% of the population. Adolescence is no time be eliminating foods from the diet without consequence. Any nutritional deficiencies as a child will have lifelong effects. What is your experience with food allergies? This may be with yourself, your family or even your friends and classmates. Was there trouble figuring out what you/they can eat to support a developing body? Do you think child food allergies are actually a problem or is there enough knowledge about nutrition to find ways around it? Noimark, Lee, and Helen E. Cox. "Nutritional Problems Related To Food Allergy In Childhood." Pediatric Allergy & Immunology 19.2 (2008): 188-195. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. Groetch, Marion. "Food Allergies: Dietary Management." Practical GastroenteroloGy (2013): 47. When students arrive at college it is a whole new lifestyle. You are on your own and have to make personal choices about school, social life, and especially eating. People usually have trouble trying to maintain their old or healthy eating habits and this is a serious issue. Eating on campus is a social event that many people attend with their friends. This can cause problems for students who do not pay attention to what or how much they are eating. People tend to conform to what their friends are eating and not stick to their normal eating habits. Take a look at this article:
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/opinion/2013/09/29/social-eating-poses-serious-problems-for-college-students Please answer these questions in your response: 1. Do you agree with what this article has to say about social eating? If so why or why not? 2. What do you think is the biggest factor in how you choose what to eat? (length of lines, what your friends are eating, health factors, ect.) 3. Do you ever find yourself making food choices based of what your friends or whom you are with are eating? 4. Has college changed the way you eat and the food you consume? Student from 9AM class Personally I do not drink soda, so this ban would not affect me directly. Many of my family members are heavy soda drinkers, and this ban would just make their soda fix a little harder to come by. If the government should intervene, they should focus on informing people of the nutritiional values of what they are consuming.
After watching this video, what are your thoughts on the ban? Do you think the ban would decrease the rising obesity rates? If not, what is a better ways to decrease soda consumption? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZsnCXYFFn0 Student from 9AM class It is no surprise to any of us that there is a global and national childhood obesity epidemic. We have been hearing this from adults and seeing this first hand since we were very small. We are all also aware of the consequences this has on ones health. Diet and excersise are the main focuses that the media and your health teacher has pushed as solutions to this rising problem. I would like to propose one more that is often overlooked.
Marketing agencies spend an estimated 10-12 billion dollars a year targeting youths, and the average kid is exposed to 7600 commercials on candy, cereal, and fast food. Studies have shown that these advertisements have affected children's diet choices. We are all well aware of the flaws that existed in our own decision making as a child. Children are very moldable, and as parents it is important to ensure that the correct information is being absorbed by children. Child advertising is not the sole cause of obesity, but I would argue its partial guiltiness. As advertising agencies put more and more money into these campaigns I would like to ask whether or not this is ethically acceptable. Furthermore, I would like to hear who has the responsibility to keep kids healthy; does this job fall entirely on the parents, or is government involvement necessary? Source: Aysen Bakir and Scott J. Vitell Journal of Business Ethics , Vol. 91, No. 2 (Jan., 2010) , pp. 299-311 As the country continues to experience the effects of the Great Recession, the issue of food insecurity has reentered the national discourse. The lack of jobs and opportunities has hit America’s middle class families particularly hard. Without a stable source of income, providing for the basic needs of the family can be extremely difficult. Interestingly, unemployment is actually a better predictor of food insecurity than poverty. With this in mind, here are some scary statistics to ponder. In 2012, 15.9 million children lived in food insecure households. 7 million households deal with extremely low food insecurity. 16.1 million children live in poverty in the United States. These statistics are appalling given that children are the future of the country.
In terms of education, it has been demonstrated that hungry children perform considerably worse in school. In the Journal of School Health, Dr. Howard Taras, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego, writes, “In 2 of the 3 studies conducted in the United States, food insufficiency was associated with significantly poorer cognitive functioning, decreased school attendance, or diminished academic achievement.” Access to nutritional food during childhood is especially important for physical, mental, and emotional development in these crucial years. Are children able to receive this access through government-funded programs in their schools? Is the government acting in a judicious manner that is financially solvent while improving children’s educational prospects? At the crux of these questions is the National School Lunch Program. This program was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1946 to provide children with nutritional and low-cost meals. The low cost feature of this program is highly debated by critics. Furthermore, are these nutritional meals ending up in the trash since children may not want to eat them? How much of an impact do you believe hunger plays in academic achievement? Do you believe the federal government should be providing these meals or should private companies step in? What are your experiences with nutritional meals in your school cafeteria? Student from 9AM class After doing research for Juvenile Correctional Facilities specifically for my Picktochart, I stumbled upon a statistic regarding juveniles who were released from the correctional facilities. Only twenty-one percent of juveniles who are sent to a correctional facility stay out of trouble after doing time in these facilities. This statistic might be shocking at first glance and is why it left me to wondering why the state governments are injecting so much money into these programs? Why is this number so low? Is the problem with the children or with facilities? Are the resources involving mental help and educational services beneficial? Does this mean the facilities are functional?
Critics of juvenile correctional facilities say since many juveniles continue to get in trouble after they check out of the facilities so less money should be ingested into these facilities. They also ask since these children are so mentally unstable why should the government continue to fund their rehab if there will be no positive results? According to (https://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/juveniledelinquency.html ), more than 600,000 boys and girls get flushed through at least one facility every year. These juveniles do not have a stable living arrangement causing the psychiatric problems reported in the news. I will be focusing on the history of juvenile correctional facilities and studying the development of these facilities. Why have the facilities seemed to digress in their treatment of juveniles? Since the treatment of these children are so questionable in modern society many foundations are being created to think of alternatives instead of detention facilities. The Annie E. Casey Foundation has been a pioneer in this matter, putting millions of dollars into research for "fixing the inappropriate use of private correctional facilities." Author: Student from 9AM class Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in America. During winter, many people’s experiences with tomatoes may be different than in summer. Some may say that tomatoes in the winter are tasteless. Tomatoes do not grow many places naturally during the winter, so they must be picked green and ripened artificially through the means of Ethylene gas during transport. Ethylene gas is the molecule that causes ripening naturally on the vine. The Calgene Company produced the Flavr Savr tomato in 1994 to combat the problem of picking tomatoes before they are ripe. It was the first genetically engineered organism to be allowed for sale to the American populace by the FDA. Galgene labeled the Flavr Savr with a sticker showing that it was a GMO. The tomato was successful to a degree and no negative effects for humans were discovered. For more information about the public reception and design of the Flavr Savr tomato feel free to watch this great yet, short clip from the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/booming/you-call-that-a-tomato.html
Genetic engineering can increase crop yields as well as lessen the use of herbicides and pesticides. The increase in crop yields is necessary considering the exponential increase of humans. Genetic engineering is happening in America presently, in an attempt to increase and better the food supply for people throughout our country. Twenty years after the introduction of the Flavr Savr tomato there is still a fear of GMOs in America. Some of this fear may stem from the unwillingness of multi-national corporations to labeled genetically engineered foods. However, it seems that America fears GMOs less than Europe, which requires all GMOs to be marked as such by law. Do you think that the USA should carry on genetic engineering of crops? Furthermore I would like to hear your take on genetic engineering and the pros or cons that you may know of. Also if you oppose genetically engineered crops for what reasons have you arrived at your conclusion? Winerip, Michael. 2013 June 23. You Call That a Tomato? New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/booming/you-call-that-a-tomato.html?_r=0 Author: Student from 9AM class No Child Left Behind is an act that focuses on children's test scores and academic performances on statewide exams. As a result, schools have increased the time spent on subject covered by these tests. For example, Math and English/Language Arts have been emphasized while other subjects have been pushed aside. Physical Education is one subject that has seen budget cuts and less time allocated to it each year.
Some argue that this is necessary. Some school boards and districts across the United States believe that P.E. is one subject that can be made optional. Their argument is that is deters from the academic advancement and prestige in schools. However, statistics show that not a significant amount of schools have improved since cuts and changes to scheduling and funding have been made. As a result of No Child Left Behind, children have had less mandatory physical education. Is P.E. the responsibility of the school to provide? Studies show that the more physical activity a student participates in, the higher their academic performance. Teachers report that their students are more focused, relaxed, and cooperative after P.E. So after hearing a little of both sides, how do you feel about Physical Education in schools? Should it be mandatory? How much time should be allocated from the day and devoted just to P.E.? Is it a good use of funds to pay instructors and equipment, or should schools buy more books or computers? Personally, do you believe P.E. helped you develop fitness for life? Good habits? Social skills? Leadership? Author: Student from 9AM class Adderall has become a drug that most people and all college students have come to know and take. There is a common misconception that Adderall is a drug that anyone can take and should take. Many students take Adderall before a big test because Adderall helps people focus and concentrate more then they normally can. But Adderall is a prescription drug but it has been treated as a common over the counter drug by college students. And then the media has stepped in to further complicate the issue of Adderall because drug companies what people to think they need the drug and they will use any trick they can to make people think they need the drug. But what does Adderall really do? Who really needs to take Adderall? Does it really have serious side-effects if so many people take it without a prescription? And is the media playing off the fact that we think we need this drug, or is Adderall a drug that should be used by everyone when ever they want?
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/12/16/selling_adhd_new_york_times_reports_on_the_big_business_of_attention_deficit.html 9AM Class |
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