Impact of junk food on kids
By Valencia Mohammed
AFRO Staff Writer

A recent study of 45 distinct Ward 8 neighborhoods investigated environmental factors contributing to current obesity rates.

The initiative was a month-long study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the National Urban League for the Center for Applied Behavioral and Evaluation Research (CABER), Academy for Educational Development (AED), which seeks to improve the environmental infrastructure for African-American children who are at risk for obesity. Students in the District pile into grocery and liquor stores before and after school to purchase candy, sodas and chips. Many parents want the government to intervene. (Photo by Valencia Mohammed)

One portion of the study, during which AED surveyed dozens of food and deli markets, liquor stores, gas stations and carryouts revealed a high percentage of revenue is from the purchase of junk foods.

"It was alarming to see the kids in the stores after 9 in the morning buying junk food items when they should have been in school," said Frank Lawrence, research and program associate for the Academy. "Also, it was a surreal experience to study the patterns and witness how kids after school bought candies, chips and sodas and called it their dinner."

In the 1980s, several parental organizations approached the D.C. Council to mandate that corner stores not open until after schools were in session to prevent students from buying junk foods before they went to classes.

Former Councilman John Ray (D-At Large) and other council members scoffed at the idea because they said it was up to the parents to teach their kids not to eat junk food and that was something the city should not regulate.

With pressure from parents, teachers and school authorities, in the '90s, several corner markets across the District voluntarily decided not to sell junk foods to school-aged children during school hours. However, it was not a concept that most storeowners adopted.

Years later, District youth are noted as some of the most obese and unhealthy children in the nation, especially those in Wards 7 and 8. The study gives credence to the notion that things much change drastically if the District is to succeed in combating unhealthy lifestyles for children and families.

Students in the District pile into grocery and liquor stores before and after school to purchase candy, sodas and chips. Many parents want the government to intervene. (Photo by Valencia Mohammed)"What we really need are cooperative efforts involving parents, schools, businesses, and relevant government agencies to empower our children with the information and inspiration they need to live longer, healthier lives," said Carol Schwartz, D.C. councilwoman (R-At-Large) and mother of three.

Some parents and health experts believe it is past time for the government to correct the wrong it allowed to be created through licensing and zoning.

"D.C. could implement a program similar to New York City's support of a marketing campaign for the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in community stores and bodegas," said Michele Tingling Clemmons, bureau chief for the D.C. Department of Health's Nutrition and Physical Fitness Bureau.

"The D.C. government could adopt this program, and moreover, D.C. food stores could prominently display fruits and vegetables and encourage children coming into the store to purchase fruits and vegetables instead of candy, chips or sodas."

Families must be included in the design of the new vision of the District to help make it user friendly for parents to raise their children.

"Fruit trucks and not ice cream trucks near the schools would help. It's easier to take something away [junk foods] if you are replacing it with a healthy alternative. Children don't want to eat junk food, they like good food. Most children love fruit," said Monica "NahZia" Utsey, president of the Southern D.C. Mocha Moms.

In the study, AED surveyed 400 community blocks using the census method. For example, from Alabama Avenue to Savannah Street the surveyors noted two corner groceries and four fast food chains in that area. Thirty-five percent of stores' customers were within ages 5 to 18 during school time hours. "About 16 percent of the revenue came from school aged children," said Lawrence.Council members say the the government should not be responsible for monitoring the junk food intake of District youth, but rather the parents should be teaching their children good eating habits at home. (Photo by Valencia Mohammed)

AED will use this information to assist stakeholders, the National Urban League (NUL), RWJF, and District of Columbia residents in developing a community action plan that can be used to advocate for the modification or repeal of trends, policies and practices that negatively impact childhood obesity.

Many parents said their appeals seem like hopeless endeavors. "It's almost like the District government is on drugs. It just can't seem to break its habits of destroying children and families because of its 'fix' for money. The government allows these businesses to sell our children junk foods while going to school knowing it will be harmful to their mental stability and their health," said Monica Fenton, former special educational aide. "Teachers can tell when a student has eaten junk food in the morning. First they are hyper. But after the sugar drops, so does their energy. Paying attention in class is not in the picture."