Take school cake ban a step further

I applaud Arlington Heights District 25 school board's decision banning cakes for birthdays.

As a registered dietitian, I find the use of high-calorie, high-fat desserts for celebrations problematic for many children.

Counseling children, I find those with health conditions ostracized at parties because of food restrictions. Some include allergies, celiac disease, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and obesity.

Why must unhealthy food be a major part of celebration? Can't we teach children that a sweet dessert or high fat snack does not have to be the basis for every celebration or outing?

Child obesity and diabetes risk is rampant in this country. Children are being diagnosed with diabetes younger causing diabetes complications that often present before diabetes diagnosis. Will we be able to afford this health cost as our obese children develop diabetes and its complications?

Insurance companies dictate coverage and hospitals terminate diabetes programs and diabetes educators.

As the need for diabetes care has increased, the diabetes professionals and services are disappearing. Meanwhile insurance company executives and hospital administrators enjoy exorbitant salaries limiting coverage, service, and providers.

District 25 has taken the first step in educating children that birthday celebration does not dictate a sweet dessert.

We can all join in by teaching that celebrations can be enjoyed with people and not the unhealthy foods that we anticipate.

We can go to a movie, circus or ball game without the 500-calorie popcorn.

We can learn to make these events the major entertainment and not the promise of an unhealthy snack.

I challenge District 25 to go further to eliminate all unhealthy snacks for all holiday celebrations. This will teach our children healthier behaviors, help curb obesity and diabetes and lower future health care costs.

Jacqueline King

Arlington Heights