Original Writing coursework - letter

I would like to explain to you how we can solve obesity at a young age.

Healthy school dinners may not be a favourite for all children, so why not still have a 'chip day' once a week? Thin stringy chips should be replaced by chunky chips cooked in sunflower oil. Large fat chips have less surface area by weight than stringy fries and therefore absorb less fat when they are cooked.

If healthy school dinners are putting children off, packing a healthy lunchbox could solve the problem. Sandwiches should be full of protein e.g. chicken, egg, tuna or cheese, and salads which are a good source of vitamins. To get calcium in their diet, low fat yoghurts and cheese are ideal or even thirst clenching milkshakes or fruit smoothies. Children should try and get the right amount of fruit and veg - 5 a day. For young children, sliced fruit chunks are more appealing than the original appearance of it. Dried fruits such as apricots which are packed full of vitamins and minerals are ideal too. Processed foods should be cut down as there are few nutrients and too much salt, sugar and saturated fat.

In conclusion, children between 14 and 16 don't get enough exercise. It is important for children to exercise as it gets then into a good routine of staying fit and healthy. It can also increase their metabolism, which will mean they won't put on weight as easily as they would with a low metabolism. They should spend at least 2 hours a week of exercise and it is a good idea if they join extra curricular clubs, such as dancing, gymnastics, martial arts or even swimming. Even riding a bike is a good way of staying fit, may be playing in team sports such as football, netball, volleyball etc. This will give them a chance to meet more friends and to socialise more too.

If children have a pet such as a dog, dog walking will take their minds off the computer and playing on their games console. This prevents them from being less lazy and will help them to realise that going on the computer or games console isn't the best way of letting time pass by.

There are many ways yourself and the Government can encourage children to be healthy. By displaying a lot more posters in schools, children will be more aware of what is right and wrong in their diet and leaflets should be produced and sent to parents so they have an idea of what foods are essential in their children's diet and how they could encourage them to keep fit. Schools should allow for more P.E clubs to be available for children and longer sessions so more practical time can be fitted into their daily routine.

I am hoping to see progress in the future health of children in the UK.

Yours sincerely,

Amy Spencer.

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