Additional options needed for healthy lifestyles

November 11, 2009

Staff Editorial

Individuals must make their own choices about their lifestyles, but outside forces can undoubtedly influence those decisions with little steps. The series of California laws against junk food alone are not completely effective in promoting a healthy way of life. However, they influence people into making the right choices. Despite this, we must take further steps into helping future generations become fitter groups of people.

The previously-named Senate Bills 12, 19 and 965 force schools to stop selling junk food that do not follow the health guidelines listed in the documents. In addition, serving sizes are generally smaller, but food and beverage prices are high due to more costly packaging costs. The larger the container, the cheaper it is to package the item. These inconveniences have impelled students to flock to vendors that have the same items available for cheaper prices. Students are willing to take the time to walk off campus to satisfy their wants. Otherwise, they can bring noncompliant food and drinks from home.

One way of solving this issue is to close the campus. Of course, the majority of students would disagree with this idea. As long as the school continues to have an open campus, there is no solution to this particular problem.

However, there are other ways to lead people to a healthier lifestyle.

As a school, we must come up with efficient ways that we can carry out directly. Not only that, but we should give people a choice to take up a healthy lifestyle, rather than forcing it on them. After all, everyone should have the responsibility to make their own decisions. Rather than having implicit consent toward the ban on junk food, students should take additional action by exercising and eating healthier food. If anything, they can moderate the amount of junk food they consume.

Fortunately, our school already presents us with opportunities to maintain healthy living. With the requirement of taking two years of P.E. class, students have a choice to take additional years, but the school does not force students to spend all four years of high school taking this class.

In addition, certain clubs, such as the Ultimate Frisbee Club, allow students to have fun moving around and playing games. These student associations also give students a chance to make new friends and share interests.

It is also great that PTSA plans to provide sources for recreational activities on campus. Once basketball hoops and tetherball courts are installed, students would have more opportunities to become physically active.

Such resources add to the external factors that hopefully influence individuals to make physically beneficial choices. We shouldn’t rely entirely on laws to force people to become healthier. As mere individuals, we can be just as strong—if not stronger than the senators and other politicians within our state capitol, as long as we utilize our available resources.

Illustration by Brian Jeon