Let Them Eat Cupcakes

By: Andrea Grasso
Posted In: Opinion

Two years ago, Congress passed a law regarding nutrition within school systems. Schools discouraged fried foods and soda in the cafeteria and low-fat and low-calorie snacks took the place of vending machine treats. These changes are a good way of influencing the students’ eating habits while at school, and perhaps warming them up to the idea of nutritious food.

Replacing snacks in a vending machine and changing the cafeteria menu are good ways of approaching the issue of weight gain. However, school systems do not have the right to monitor what foods are being sent to school with the child unless it involves food allergies. In addition to these changes, parents are now being asked to stop sending birthday cupcakes in to school with their child to distribute to the class.

Being an August baby, I never had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday during the school year. However, I vividly remember celebrating my friends’ birthdays by enjoying delicious treats they brought in from home.

Childhood obesity is the reason behind these new school regulations, but I do not think a cupcake every now and then is the reason for a child being overweight. Food choices at home and the nutritional values placed within a child are the contributing factors of weight. According to a journal released by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, “the most influential individuals in an at-risk-for-overweight or overweight child’s life are his or her parents.” If parents are confident in their child’s health and decide to treat the child and class to cupcakes, then good for them. If parents are concerned with their child’s health or weight, they should make an individual decision to bring in something healthier or make a request for their child not to receive cupcakes from others.

Several programs reach out to fight the obesity issue in a healthy way. This approach does not include taking away certain types of food. Instead, it encourages kids to make healthy choices and to be involved with more physical activity. In an editorial written by Paul Gately, he describes the benefits of a special weight loss program he set up. “Children are not denied food but taught how to eat healthy portions and given information and advice on the importance of nutrition,” Gately said. “We try to give the children positive experiences rather than the memory of a cross-country run from school.” Children and teens will never learn the true benefits of nutrition and exercise unless they are taught the correct way.

Cupcakes are not the problem. Parents should be able to make their own decisions for their children without the school system getting involved. A school has every right to teach health classes and inform students about healthy eating habits. On the contrary, sending out notices to parents asking for a general list of snack foods to be approved seems a bit ridiculous.

In an article posted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the author talks about the new school policies regarding snack foods and birthday treats. As long as a child is not indulging in 10 cupcakes a day, what is the big deal? A birthday is a reason to celebrate and if cupcakes are a part of this celebration, then bake them the way the child is going to enjoy the most.