A young girl smiles while eating a donut.

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Should Kids Be Banned From Buying Junk Food?

February 15, 2021

By Alessandra Potenza

As You Read: Underline one detail in both the Yes and No answers that supports each argument.

Imagine going to a store and not being allowed to buy a bag of chips. Why not? You’re too young!

That’s what may happen in one state in Mexico. It recently banned, or stopped, the sale of unhealthy snacks and sugar-sweetened drinks to kids younger than 18. Several other Mexican states might pass similar laws.

Imagine going to a store and not being allowed to buy chips. Why not? You’re too young! That’s what may happen in one state in Mexico. It recently banned, or stopped, the sale of unhealthy snacks and drinks to kids younger than 18. Other Mexican states might pass similar laws.

The goal of these bans is to improve kids’ health. Research shows that eating too much junk food can lead to obesity. That’s the condition of being severely overweight. People with obesity are at higher risk for health problems, such as heart disease.

But some people argue that a ban on buying junk food won’t do very much to change kids’ eating habits.

The goal of these bans is to improve kids’ health. Research shows that eating too much junk food is not healthy. It can lead to obesity. That’s the condition of being very overweight. People with obesity are at higher risk for health problems. One health problem related to obesity is heart disease.

But some people argue that a ban on buying junk food won’t do much to change kids’ eating habits.

Should states in the U.S. also ban the sale of junk food to kids?

Junk food is adding to a serious health problem.

About one in five kids in the U.S. have obesity. That’s partly because of the junk food they eat. Experts say candy, chips, and soda can add a lot of extra calories to a kid’s diet. And that can lead to weight gain.

Junk food is adding to a serious health problem.

About one in five kids in the U.S. have obesity. That’s partly because of the junk food they eat. Experts say candy and soda can add extra calories to a kid’s diet. This can lead to weight gain.

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Junk food is food and drinks that are high in fat, salt, or sugar and have little nutritional value.

Banning the sale of junk food to kids would make it harder for them to get unhealthy foods. Jennifer Harris is a researcher at the University of Connecticut. She says a ban would also give parents more control over what their kids eat outside the home.

“Children don’t think about the long-term consequences of the food they’re eating,” she says. “They know something tastes good, so they want it.”

The ban would put salty and sugary snacks in the same category as cigarettes. Harris says that would send a clear message about just how harmful junk food can be.

Some people support banning the sale of junk food to kids. This ban would make it harder for them to get unhealthy foods. Jennifer Harris is a researcher at the University of Connecticut. She says a ban would also give parents more control over what their kids eat outside the home.

“Children don’t think about the consequences of the food they’re eating,” she says. “They know something tastes good, so they want it.”

The ban would put unhealthy snacks in the same category as cigarettes. Harris says that would send a clear message about just how harmful junk food can be.

It’s better to teach kids about making healthy choices.

Many people point out that parents—not kids—buy most of the unhealthy foods children eat. Also, some people argue that banning the sale of junk food to kids won’t encourage them to eat healthier foods. It might have the opposite effect, says Sara Dimerman. She’s an author and a psychologist.

It’s better to teach kids about making healthy choices.

Many people argue that kids do not buy most of the unhealthy foods they eat. They say that parents do. Also, some people argue that banning junk food sales won’t change eating habits. It won’t encourage kids to eat healthier foods. It might have the opposite effect, says Sara Dimerman. She’s an author and a psychologist.

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150 calories: Number of calories in a snack-sized bag of Doritos. It would take 1 hour and 20 minutes of walking to burn that many calories.*

Many health experts say there’s nothing wrong with eating a candy bar or cupcake every once in a while. They say that rather than denying kids junk food, we should teach them how to make healthy choices. That includes learning how to read nutrition labels on food and drink packaging.

“We have to teach children how to think, not what to think,” Dimerman explains.

“If children believe they are being denied something, they want it more,” Dimerman says.

Many health experts say there’s nothing wrong with eating a cupcake sometimes. They say that we shouldn’t deny kids junk food. Instead, we should teach them how to make healthy choices. That includes learning how to read nutrition labels on food and drink packaging.

“We have to teach children how to think, not what to think,” Dimerman explains.

“If children believe they are being denied something, they want it more,” Dimerman says.