The fat of it

"Among what is mentioned in the guidelines are that [school] vendors are not allowed to sell food and drinks that are not halal or dubious and other related junk food such as chocolates, instant noodles, soft drinks and food containing a lot of preservatives, colourings and flavourings...

...Research has shown that among some of the most common food that is being sold in school canteens are chicken rice, "nasi lemak", "nasi campur", "mee goreng" (fried noodles), pizzas, curry puffs, sandwiches and hotdogs..." [link]

Err... Is it just me or are there supernova-like loopholes in the guidelines to be taken advantage of by the school canteen vendors? A massive conflict of interest exists here, I'd say.

I mean, if I was a vendor having to pay for my spot on the school premises this is what I would be thinking naturally enough;

Hmmm.... Profit margin vs. interest of fat school kids?

Keeping my business going vs. providing healthier options that may not sell as well as the junk food ones?

Hey, it's not hard to guess which one will lose out to the other here. And boy do they milk the opportunities. I have seen the goods with my own two eyes. The junk food items above sell for only 50 cents per pop.

50 cents?!

Anyone can afford to give their kid a dollar a day... and be tempted to.

It would mean not having to go out of your way to buy, cook or prepare a packed meal for your child.

Plus, you wouldn't want your child to be left out when he sees the others gobble down the hot dog and iced milo drink. No sirree.

Exploitation of parents in need of convenience... and who simply don't know any better.

But then again... what incentive would the canteen vendors have to provide fruit or other nutritious food to a bunch of kids who'd rather have a hotdog any given day?

With parents leading busier lives with little time to police their own health, fitness and food intake... it's not surprising that the newer generation models their behaviour after us adults.

It certainly doesn't help that healthier food options generally tend to cost more for the average consumer. I mean, it costs more to serve a vegetable dish than it is to buy a "Nasi Katok".

I'm not saying there is an easy solution for all of this. Obesity is a major headache for all parties concerned with reducing or diminishing its sure footing on our everyday lives.

It will require more aggressive strategies, a change of mindset and extensive teamwork and cooperation from all parties involved (including parents!) to keep a pro-obesity environment and lifestyle at bay.

And lest we think this is just a problem for us here in Brunei... Uh-uh!

This is a growing global problem that affects everyone.

Even the poverty-stricken and under-nourished people of Africa - paradoxically enough.... [link]