Watch The Kids Menu

The Kids Menu, released in 2016, is a powerful and insightful documentary that sheds light on the alarming rise in childhood obesity rates in the United States. The movie explores the root causes and consequences of unhealthy eating habits among kids, and presents various strategies to help parents make healthier food choices for their children.

The Kids Menu is directed by Kurt Engfehr, who also directed the hit documentary Super Size Me. The film features several prominent experts in the field of nutrition, health, and wellness, who provide insights and analysis on the topic. Some of the experts include Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, among others.

The movie is structured around several themes, each of which is explored in depth through interviews, personal stories, and expert analysis. The themes include the role of advertising and marketing in promoting unhealthy foods to kids, the impact of school lunch programs on children's health, the importance of physical activity in combatting obesity, and the benefits of a plant-based diet.

The film begins by highlighting the staggering rise in childhood obesity rates in the US, with one in three kids classified as obese or overweight. The movie then delves into the various factors that contribute to this epidemic, including the abundance and availability of junk food, the influence of advertising and marketing, and the lack of education and awareness about healthy eating.

One of the most compelling aspects of the movie is the personal stories of families who have struggled with obesity and unhealthy eating habits. These stories are interwoven throughout the film, and provide a human face to the statistics and data. For example, we meet a young girl who has Type 2 diabetes as a result of her unhealthy diet, and a family who has made radical changes to their eating habits and lifestyle in order to combat their children's obesity.

The film also explores the controversial issue of school lunch programs, and the impact they have on children's health. The movie interviews several experts who argue that the current school lunch system is not only unhealthy, but actively contributes to obesity and other health problems among kids. The film presents several examples of schools and communities that have implemented innovative and effective solutions to this problem, such as farm-to-school programs and community gardens.

Another central theme of the movie is the importance of physical activity in combatting obesity. The film interviews several experts who emphasize the benefits of exercise, particularly for children. The movie also presents several examples of organizations and initiatives that are promoting physical activity among kids, such as the NFL Play 60 program.

Perhaps the most significant message of The Kids Menu is the importance of a plant-based diet in promoting children's health. The film presents several experts who argue that a diet free of animal products and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is the most effective way to combat obesity and other health problems. The movie provides several examples of families who have made this shift in their eating habits, and who have experienced remarkable improvements in their health and well-being as a result.

Overall, The Kids Menu is a thought-provoking and informative documentary that should be required viewing for parents, educators, and policymakers concerned about the state of children's health in the US. The movie provides a comprehensive and compelling analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing the fight against childhood obesity, and presents practical and achievable solutions for parents and communities.

The Kids Menu is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.