Title: Oklahoma Cracks Down on Junk Food in Schools Author:Ron Jenkins Source: Associated Press Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2005 Level: Advanced

Excerpt

A bill to prohibit junk food sales in elementary schools and restrict them in higher grades
passed the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday after it was amended to delay the ban until 2007.
Pushed by the Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition, a private group made up mostly of health professionals, the bill barring the sale of soft drinks and low nutritional snack items tackles the growing problem of obesity, diabetes and other health problems among young people.
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Vocabulary

Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article.

If you need help, check out OneLook Dictionary Search

New words you will see in this article:

alternative

amend

ban

bill

cherish

constituent(s)

delay

diabetes

duck

guilty

irresponsible

incentive(s)

measure

nibble(s)

nutrition(al)

obesity

perpetuate

prohibit(ed)

restrict

snack

supplant

supplement

tackle

vendor

Expressions

crack down on

fly in the face of (something)

junk food

pro tem

soft drink(s)

vending machine

vote down

Talking Points

With your tutor, conversation partners, or classmates, you may wish to discuss the following:

1. Do you agree or disagree with the idea of banning junk food in public schools?

2. Should people have the right to consume whatever they want, even if it might be harmful to them?

3. Are school children mature enough to make their own decisions about what they will eat?

4. Who is most responsible for teenagers' health?
(the kids themselves, their parents, school teachers and administrators, the government)

5. Should schools be allowed to accept money from businesses in exchange for promoting their products?

For More Practice

With a partner or in groups, debate the pros and cons of banning junk food in public schools.