Ice cream. Sugar cookies. Reese’s peanut butter cups.

Chocolate chip muffins. Garden Salsa Sun Chips. Chocolate frosted

brownies. Coffee cake. Donut holes. Broccoli. Broccoli.

With all of this junk shoved at us each day, and very few healthy

options, it’s no wonder that approximately 30 percent of American

teens were classified as obese in a May 2009 report by the American

Obesity Association. In the past 20 years, the percentage of

overweight and obese Americans has increased dramatically. These

statistics often don’t influence the way we eat, but recent studies

show that among teens, specifically girls, friends can have a major

effect on our food preferences.

It’s no secret that the average teen barely gets their daily

vitamins and minerals on a regular basis. But really, how hard is

it? Oh, it’s hard.

Recently, a group of WHS freshmen organized a competition amongst

themselves entitled “Healthy Week”. A handful of girls participated

for one school week. The challenge? Test their self control and help

each other make better, healthier eating choices. Monday morning

started strong, with breakfasts varying from fruit to cereal to whole

grain toast. Throughout the day the girls were tempted to eat the

cookies and muffins offered for sale in the cafeteria, but cries of,

“It’s Healthy Week! Don’t eat that!” stopped them from swallowing.

As the week slowly progressed, the challenge became harder; they

missed their junk food.

Although the challenge did prove the point that healthy eating is

hard after years of consuming sugary sweets on a regular basis, the

students were able to complete the week with a few extra, healthy

choices. Unsalted pretzels, fruits, granola, and 100 calorie packs

were among the favorite foods the girls realized were healthy

alternatives.

The week proved to these students that healthy eating is difficult,

but can be conquered with the help of friends. New research does show

that healthy eating among pals can lead to better, healthier

lifestyles among all teens.

But the opposite effect can also occur. Teenagers are 57 percent

more likely to become obese if they have a friend who is obese, The

New England Journal of Medicine recently reported. Inge Lissau,

National Institute of Public Health in Copenhagen, completed a study

on obesity, with startling statistics. Fifteen percent of American

15 year old girls are obese, and 31 percent are modestly overweight.

Boys are right behind them, with 14 percent obese and 28 percent

modestly overweight.

It’s important to eat healthy, balanced meals and snacks, and

then it’s OK to eat a little junk food. Sugar-free chocolate

pudding, anyone?