Business Letter To USDA Secretary Mike Johanns

July 24, 2007

Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture Mike Johanns
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Johanns:

I am pleased to hear that you are helping to fight obesity and offering changes to public schools. I believe that obesity is becoming a great issue in today’s world, especially for children who regularly buy school lunches and purchase snacks from vending machines. In my opinion, schools should offer healthier choices in their lunch programs such as salads, veggie pizza, and vegetables. High calorie foods such as French fries, cookies, and chips should still be allowed in schools, but limited. Research by the USDA itself states that nine out of ten schools offer lunches which do not meet the U.S. Government standards. Unhealthy school lunches are not only putting bad food in children’s systems, but are also increasing childhood obesity.

It is a fact that kids tend to choose more popular lunches to eat such as pizza, macaroni and cheese, and other “tasty” foods rather than healthier choices. Most kids tend to not eat healthy, which causes many problems in their health and lifestyle. Studies by the University of Chicago show that kids who buy school lunches gain an extra forty calories more than children who choose to take their own lunch to school. While it may not seem like much, these few calories could raise the obesity rates. In most schools, burgers and French fries are an everyday option in the school cafeteria. It is important that public schools offer healthier choices on a daily basis, such as yogurt, turkey, milk, trail mix, and fruit. Replacing unhealthy foods with better balanced meals could help kids become healthy individuals. These small changes could not only put better food in children’s stomachs, but could also assure them a strong future ahead.

Filling vending machines with good snacks and offering healthier food choices in schools could make a positive impact in many ways. First of all, children who will cut down on junk food will see positive changes in their physical activity, academics, and their attitude. Kids will feel more energized and optimistic in everything they do. Children will also save money from all the cash they waste purchasing snacks from vending machines. With healthy choices available, eating unhealthy will not even be an option. Kids will learn to train themselves and become morally stronger while avoiding eating unhealthy food, and change for the better.

Offering healthier choices for lunch in public schools will have a positive effect on many people. It is important that good foods be served in schools so that children can improve their health. School environments make a great impact on every child’s life. School has a major influence on children; they are allowed to make their own choices. It is vital that kids be offered good choices so they can improve their futures. The only way to ensure good health of children in public schools is to provide them with balanced school lunches. Taking action and removing unhealthy snacks from vending machines would help kids avoid junk food and make healthy choices. In conclusion, if schools were to offer healthier choices to children during lunch, it would have many positive effects.

The Truth About Child Obesity

Child obesity is becoming a major problem to the nation. As everyday goes by, the rate of obesity in children is increasing quickly. Obesity is rapidly spreading all across the world, but it is most common in areas where fast food is common. Today, around 27 million children are overweight, on the way to becoming obese, in the United States (1-Mayo Clinic Staff). If we want to protect the children of the world, then it’s time to take a stand and start helping them lose weight.

So what causes child obesity? A person is referred to as “obese” when they have too much fat in their body. We see overweight children everyday, but how does it happen? Most obesity is caused by little exercise and unhealthy eating habits even though hormonal causes can cause obesity as well.

Child obesity holds many risks. For one, the risk of death is earlier for overweight children than healthy ones. Also, obesity could follow an adolescent through to adulthood. This is particularly harming because of the late adult problems such as diabetes, and other heart problems (2-Van Voorhees). If we want to keep children healthy, it’s our responsibility to take a stand and do something about it.

One person who is definitely taking action and helping obese kids lose weight is Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat (NBA). “Shaq” is featured on an ABC television show that airs every Tuesday about six very obese children and their quest to lose weight. Shaq is trying to help the kids lose weight by using new diet plans, daily exercise, and moral support. Aside from helping only these six kids, Shaq is discovering how unhealthy school lunches really are, and what he can do to help. Tyler Florence, a gourmet chef stepped in to help Shaq. After seeing the French fries, vending machines, and over oiled pizza, Tyler set out to help out school lunch ladies. Tyler showed the ladies how to make meals that are healthy and enjoyable for picky eaters. Pasta salad, turkey wraps, and veggie pizza are just a few of the options Tyler offered to the ladies. By dedication and hard work, Shaq is proving that anything can be done.

So now that we know the risks, causes, and problems of child obesity, it’s time to learn how to prevent it. One thing that any kid needs is a role model. As Shaq was a role model for six kids, you can be a role model for your very own. Eat healthy, exercise, and don’t push your child too hard. It’s important to respect your child’s capabilities and not push them to the maximum extent. Play a pick-up football game with your whole family, or go to the park and play Frisbee. These fun activities can definitely get your child moving, and let them enjoy becoming healthy.

Making healthy changes in your family can be tough. Money and time issues seem to be the problem for most people. The only way something can be accomplished is with a positive attitude and support from people. Encourage your family that the changes you make will be for the better and will help everyone in your family, not just overweight people. When healthy eating and physical activities are in your family for a while, they will become a lifestyle plan rather than a diet. It’s important to help your family become healthy, change for the better, and show that anything is possible with support.


1- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Childhood Obesity.” Mayo Clinic. 31 Mar. 2006. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 18 July 2007 .

2- Van Voorhees, Benjamin W. “Weight Problems and Children.” Medline Plus. 24 Jan. 2006. American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. 18 July 2007 .

2007 Wisconsin Badgers Softball

Hi, everyone! I'm Nilam and I am a starting pitcher for my softball team, the Wisconsin Badgers. This year, our softball team finished second in the South Farmington (SFBI) league.