Date

Name (Editor of newspaper's opinion page)

Address

To the Editor:

As (name of paper) recently reported, childhood obesity is increasing rapidly. Rates have doubled in children and tripled in teens over the last two decades. One in seven young people are obese and one in three are overweight, putting them at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.

Given the skyrocketing childhood obesity rates, it is shortsighted for (name of school or school district) to sell junk food to our children. Between 1989 and 1996, children’s calorie intake increased by about 80 to 230 extra calories per day, depending on the child’s age and activity level. The increases in calorie intake are driven by increased intakes of foods and beverages high in refined sugars. Studies show that children who drink more soft drinks consume more calories and are more likely to be overweight.

Schools will not necessarily lose funds if junk foods are replaced by healthier options. For example, when a middle school and high school in Philadelphia changed their vending machines' beverage contents to include only 100% juice, 25% juice, and water, averagemonthly revenue from the machines did not decrease. (Name of school district) should set nutrition standards for all foods sold or served out of vending machines, a la carte lines, fundraisers, and school stores. As a community, we must fund our schools through means that do not undermine our children's health.

Sincerely,

Your name

Your title (if possible, or send the letter as a private citizen)

(Your organization)

Your address

Your phone number

Source: cspinet.org/schoolfood/