French Fries or DeathThese delicious, golden, sizzling medium fries from McDonalds contain 380 calories, 171 calories from fat, 270 mg of sodium, and lots of salt . There is no doubt that junk food, such as French fries, commonly served in school cafeterias, is unhealthy. Childhood obesity has increased significantly, and diet is a major contributor. More than 9 million children in the United States are obese and have life-threatening health problems. Schools must focus on producing children who are not only intelligent, but also healthy. Children rely on their schools to provide them with a nutritious meal, but they often receive unhealthy meals, leading to the obesity epidemic. Therefore, junk food should be banned in schools. It is impossible to avoid junk food advertisements as they appear on social media, television, radio, vending machines, billboards, logos, etc. Companies spend an average of $148 million per year on advertising in schools. in advertisements, equipment, vending machines and rewards programs. Many schools take advantage of allowing this advertising to obtain new equipment and money. Children are also bribed using junk food for good attendance, good grades and good behavior. There are also many food incentive programs offered by fast food chains such as Pizza Hut Book It!, Mini McDonalds, and Grade A Donut: Honoring Homework Stars. The government began to become more involved in schools and their meal programs. First lady Michelle Obama has had a huge influence on the foods children eat and fast food advertising. She says: “Our classrooms should be healthy places where children are not bombarded with junk food advertisements.” She asked for $10 billion to improve school meals, but there have been numerous budget cuts that make it difficult to learn to make good choices. It also plays a role in independence as children grow and become more mature about the foods they eat and their effects. Removing junk food from cafeterias simply removes the option. Obesity can also be combatted by the lack of physical education and health classes that students are required to take. Classes could place more emphasis on nutrition so students know better how to make healthy food choices. Future generations of children will all build on the choices made today regarding junk food in schools. If these unhealthy foods remain in school systems, the obesity epidemic will increase even further, leading to more health problems for a larger portion of the population. Schools play a major role in the development of students and will have a lifelong impact on the child. So now it's time to decide whether to ditch those golden fries or die..