Anonymous
asks:
Q:
Are Girl Scout cookies contributing to childhood obesity in America?
A friend of mine (a father of four in Chicago) updated his Facebook status today with the following statement, "Girl Scout cookies contribute to America's obesity epidemic... why not fruit & vegetable stands?!" Given how popular Girl Scout cookies are, his statement immediately prompted a heated discussion among many parents and teachers in his 500+ friend list. I'm curious what parents and other experts here on Education.com think about this topic. Should the Girl Scouts (and schools, nonprofits, etc.) switch to more healthier products for fundraising? Change the ingredients for their cookies? Include a disclaimer and/or encourage exercise with every purchase? What do you think? Is it time to bid farewell to cookies, cupcakes and other fattening treats for club/school fundraisers and events?
In Topics:
Outside the classroom, Parenting / Our Family, Nutrition
> 60 days ago
What the Expert Says:
Resources:
Additional Answers (1)
Hi!
Thanks for bringing this to our attention here at Education.com.
No, I think that it is very doubtful that selling Girl Scout Cookies or other "treats" have contributed to the overweight problems. I don't understand why so many want to point fingers and blame something, anything, for their weight gain. It simply comes down to not moving enough to cancel out the calories. My opinion.
It's wonderful to have excess to all these goodies, and it's our responsibility to use these treats wisely and to educate our kids to do the same, turn off the "high-tech toys" and go for a jog.
No, it's not time to bid farewell to the treats in fundraisers and we don't need the school to control our purchases. We are all going to spend X amount of dollars on these fundraisers and I personally look forward to these type items opposed to the everyday items we buy anyway. Just seems "special".
It's good to know that your friend on facebook is involved in making a healthier America and he is doing his part to raise awareness in others, but his comment seems to be an unfair statement-to me.
I look forward to seeing how others feel about this subject.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention here at Education.com.
No, I think that it is very doubtful that selling Girl Scout Cookies or other "treats" have contributed to the overweight problems. I don't understand why so many want to point fingers and blame something, anything, for their weight gain. It simply comes down to not moving enough to cancel out the calories. My opinion.
It's wonderful to have excess to all these goodies, and it's our responsibility to use these treats wisely and to educate our kids to do the same, turn off the "high-tech toys" and go for a jog.
No, it's not time to bid farewell to the treats in fundraisers and we don't need the school to control our purchases. We are all going to spend X amount of dollars on these fundraisers and I personally look forward to these type items opposed to the everyday items we buy anyway. Just seems "special".
It's good to know that your friend on facebook is involved in making a healthier America and he is doing his part to raise awareness in others, but his comment seems to be an unfair statement-to me.
I look forward to seeing how others feel about this subject.
> 60 days ago
