David Jackson

David Jackson Jackson 1

Professor Mageen

English 1A

November 13 2007

" Refutation Essay"

In America, young children and teens are obese. In 2001, a General

Surgeon report said that 14% children are obese(Parents Advocating School

Responsibility). This percentage has increased over the past years .Who is

responsible for this problem? Many blame parents because they don't take the

time to teach their kids about proper nutrition. Others blame the fast

food industries for encouraging kids to consume their high caloric foods.

However, schools contribute to this epidemic by allowing vending machines and

serving junk food. Big companies have helped fund schools by allowing there

products to be sold. Consequently, these companies serve products that are high

in calories and thus children take in more than they need causing

them to become overweight. I believe schools should find an alternative source

for money and stop relying on big business because their products can be lethal

to our youths.

However, a columnist named Anjali Nair would disagree with my proposal

because she believes that schools aren't responsible for kids' heath. In her article

she said " the schools' responsibilities are to keep children safe while at school,

treat all students fairly and give them the best education possible--- not force

diets." (Nair). This a reason why she wouldn't blame the schools for childhood

obesity. She continues to say " Ð'... I believe it's up to parents, not schools, to

raise their kids to value healthy lifestyles(Nair) This is another reason why she

doesn't hold the schools responsible for overweight kids. She suggests that if

parents are worried about their kids diet, they should pack them their own l

unch(Nair). Thus, she believes that schools aren't to blame for childhood obesity;

parents should back their children with healthy food. She also believes that

schools can't limit kids from eating junk food by stating that kids will

find an alternative way to "sneak" drinks like sodas in schools.

She continues by saying that high school students that are old enough to buy

adult products should be able understand the concept of calories and choose

what they put in their bodies(Nair). Nair stated that taking out junk food in schools

would be punishing students who don't suffer from obesity. These are other

examples that Nair uses to show that schools aren't reliable for our youths diets.

Although my opponent disagrees with my proposal, there are a few things

I agree on in her article. One thing I agree with is the fact that schools