Sodas and other unhealthy foods should be completely banned from schools and students should not be exposed to them nor tempted to buy them.

If schools cannot provide a healthy meal for students then they should not allow companies that sell sodas, chips and other unhealthy snacks to have their presence on any campus.

When students are exposed to vending machines that sell those unhealthy snacks then they are tempted to buy them. It is junk food, not real food either way.

Students should be encouraged to eat foods that are prepared naturally and foods that will give them the strength and nutrients they need in order to focus in class.

According to the Women’s and Children’s Health Network, diet has a significant effect on children’s study habits. The report shows us that junk food and foods high in sugar limit the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.

It should make sense to everybody that energy and focus are crucial for school-age children and people all around.

An article from Al Jazeera America found that the Department of Food and Agriculture has set fat, calorie, sugar and sodium limits on almost all foods sold in schools.

That was a great move by the department. They also moved to take foods like fatty chips, snack cakes, nachos and mozzarella sticks out of lunch lines and vending machines. That is why recently we have seen an increase in baked chips, trail mix and lower-calorie sports drinks.

In correlation with first lady Michelle Obama’s effort to limit junk food in schools, the department has given her and everybody something that will benefit our children.

Obama also set out to encourage young students and children to get out and exercise daily along with eating healthfully.

Behavior plays a huge factor in what people consume daily. Ease of access plays a major role in what a student decides to eat.

Vending machines are convenient and cheap so students are likely to choose that over anything.

If prices are too high for a balanced meal at school but the vending machine offers chips and a soda for under $3, then guess what that person is going to eat?

School campuses should encourage a healthier lifestyle and hand out nutritious meals to students so they are exposed to good food and not any of that junk food they might otherwise eat.

According to the Center for Disease Control, six out of 10 adults drink at least one sugary drink per day.

If adults can not be models and show kids what foods are good to eat and what foods benefit them, then kids are more likely to eat unhealthy junk food as well.

The fact that foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt are highly advertised and marketed is why so many people are experiencing obesity.

Some people have less access to stores and markets that provide healthy, affordable food such as fruits and vegetables.

Poverty among students and their families also plays a role in the choice of foods that they consume.

Schools should be aware that some families have a hard time putting healthy meals on the table for their children and should take more precaution.

Parents often rely on their children’s schools in order to ensure that kids get proper, balanced meals.

Obesity among school-age children is a result of hunger and lack of accessibility to healthy foods according to a report from KQED, a public media outlet based in San Francisco.

That is why schools should take the lead in providing healthier meals to students and encourage the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables.

In the San Joaquin Valley, where much of the world’s food is grown, many families struggle to put fresh, healthy food on the table for their kids.

School lunches serve as the primary source of nutrition for children at times.

In the elementary school where I tutor, students are now getting a whole meal after school and they could not be happier. They are given a sandwich with ham, lettuce, pickles and cheese. With it comes their milk, broccoli, banana and orange.

I see the smile on their faces when they receive their lunch, and it seems as if they just won the biggest prize.

Junk food is nowhere near their mind I assume while they enjoy their nutritious meal.

We need to see more schools taking the initiative to end childhood hunger and not only that but ensure that students are receiving proper meals at least once a day.