Junk Food Essay

The term ‘junk food’ refers to any food that is believed to be unhealthy and does not contribute nutritionally to the human body (Smith 2000). Despite this, kids and adolescents nowadays enjoy the consumption of junk food. According to School News (2005), the profits of a high school canteen were at a high of $13000 in the year 2001 when their sales consisted majorly of junk food. This obviously depicts the younger generation’s propensity to consume junk food despite it being unhealthy. Thus, I stand with the notion of banning the sale of junk food in school canteens as it may lead to obesity, trigger behavioural problems and instigate litter problems.

Overconsumption of junk food may lead to obesity. It cannot be denied that consumption of junk food is an unhealthy habit especially if it is not taken in moderation (Smith 2005). Nowadays, junk food is consumed excessively by the younger generation. This is due to the wide variety of flavours made available by numerous junk food brands. As so, the students are unable to contain themselves and binge on junk food which brings about the risk of obesity. Many consumers are ignorant to the high levels of chemical additives, artificial flavouring, colouring, preservatives and excessive sugar available in junk food which is used to enhance the taste and prolong its shelf life. Consumption of these additives has the potential to trigger obesity among youngsters (Smith 2005).

In addition, junk food packaging contributes to litter problems in the society (The Food Show 2005). Littering is a societal eyesore to the community. Junk food are currently packed in trendy packaging to attract buyers but most of the time these packaging are not disposed of responsibly and end up everywhere else other than in a rubbish bin. As a result, litter increments the costs of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in schools (Smith 2005). If this littering habit is not restrained, it will soon be second nature to the students.

On another note, consumption of junk food also causes a decline in student behaviour. According to The Food Show (2005), teachers have observed ameliorated student behaviour when sales of junk food in school canteens were done away with. Research has proven that numerous chemical additives in junk food cause hyperactivity and a lapse in concentration (Smith 2005). This would lead to further more severe problems such as a dip in academic capability and a decrease in athleticism.

As a conclusion, I strongly believe that banning the sales of junk food in school canteens would prove to be beneficial. Lack of easy access to junk food will help students restrain from overconsumption of junk food and thus, promotes moderation in eating. Banning junk food in schools may be seem harsh and downright extreme but I believe that sometimes in life, we have to be cruel to be kind.