Vending machines do WHAT?
An article that caught my eye recently is one published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association titled "Parental attitudes towards soft drink vending machines in high schools." This article cover the hot topic of junk food sold in vending machine in schools.
In summary, the authors claim that parents need to become more informed regarding the issues surrounding vending machines in schools. In order to support this argument, small focus groups were created and analyzed as they were questioned regarding the knowledge they possessed about the vending machines available to their kids. Through these focus groups, data
was obtained that showed that parents had a large lack of knowledge regarding their kids and the sodas available to them. Providing information such as the number of machines on campus, the hours of operation, and the contract details, if any, between the vending company and the school district would help to enable parents to make proper decisions regarding their children’s health.
A summarizing quote from the article both explains how important food choice during school is due to the percent consumption of a child’s total food intake which is done at school. “National data show that foods eaten at lunch (from all sources, including a la carte, vending machines, and school lunch) comprise 35% to 40% of high school students’ total daily energy intake (18). Thus, schools provide an important setting for food and beverage intake.” By stating that school food accounts for 35-40% of a student’s energy intake, the authors
hope to incite a sense of urgency towards the types of food available to make up that large percentage. Since school food choices are such a large source of a child’s diet, it is even more important to encourage healthy decisions and provide healthy options for them. The authors of the article use a strong logos appeal to help make their argument. By proving a lot of number and percentages, the authors are hoping that their audience will take stock in the data surrounding the subject. By avoiding pathos and ethos appeals, the authors focus on showing that data proves what they are saying.
After reading this article, I want school boards to supply information to all parents with children in schools that have vending machines. If parents are provided information on how the products in the vending machine can be harmful to their children, it then becomes the parents duty to educate their children. Without this information, I feel that the parents leave it to schools to handle the child's dietary needs, when sometimes that just isn't the case.
The Journal of the American Dietetic Association is a scholarly journal that discusses and contains reports, research and discussion about dietetics, which includes nutrition and diet therapy, community nutrition, education and training and administration. This is a peer reviewed journal. The Journal of the American Dietetic Association is intended for an audience that is more academic. This establishes credibility as any scholars reading the journal are sure to scrutinize the information contained within the publication. The journal began publication in the 1900’s with its first publication in 1973. With the age of the journal being over 44 years old, it is withstanding the test of time. By analyzing both its intended audience along with its time in publication, the journal’s credibility is very well displayed. By continuing to publish and aiming towards an academic audience, the journal shows that its articles are well cited and accurate.