Question

Why do you think that most Americans look at obesity as a result of individual failure? Globally, how have our lives and habits changed that may have contributed to the global epidemic? What is happening in societies seeing rising rates of obesity? Do you think the U.S. government should regulate or tax unhealthy food products? Should television ads that promote unhealthy foods for children be banned? What would you do to help prevent the continuing rise of global obesity?

Answer 1

• Most Americans are still not concerned with obesity, are less likely to support most obesity related policies, such as taxing snack foods, and do not approve of treating obesity as any other physical disability. Most Americans continue to understand obesity as a case of individual moral failure rather than see it as the result of the food environment or genetics.
• Americans believe that obesity is tied with cancer as the biggest health threat in the nation today. But though scientific research shows that diet and exercise are insufficient solutions, a large majority say fat people should be able to summon the willpower to lose weight on their own.
• In developing countries, societal norms regarding food and activity are changing. Instead of eating fresh foods from farms and fish from rivers and oceans, people in developing countries are eating more processed foods imported from Western nations that are full of sugar and saturated fats.
• As these nations become wealthier, people are using more technology to travel such as cars, buses, and trains which result in less physical activity. Lack of education also plays a major role in rising obesity rates in both developing and industrialized nations.
• Many people do not know the health damaging consequences of obesity; instead, in some countries obesity is viewed as a sign of being able to provide food for your family.
  
• While more than 50 genes have been identified that are linked to obesity, the genes have not changed over the past five decades. What has changed dramatically is the American lifestyle.
• Obesity rates have also dramatically risen for children. Schools play a major role as children consume 50 percent of their daily calories there and unfortunately, unhealthy foods are served in cafeterias and other venues on these campuses. Additionally, in America, children view on average 8,000 television food and beverage commercials annually. Only 165 of them are for healthy foods.
• People are also expending less energy because of lack of physical activity. Only 1 out 5 American adults gets the recommended amount of physical activity by the Federal government.
• Even if people have time to workout, many communities lack safe areas to participate in physical activity and many schools do not offer exercise programs as well.
• A recent report from WHO reveals that obesity rates are rising in almost every nation worldwide and will likely continue to increase unless effective programs are implemented to tip the scales towards health.
• Lifestyles are rapidly changing around the world as unhealthy food options become more accessible with more than 500,000 fast food establishments globally and as use of technology such as cars and computers results in a more sedentary way of life.
• Many nations have taken steps to reverse obesity within a generation. President Obama established a White House Childhood Obesity Prevention Task Force in 2010 that produced an action plan to reverse this public health problem.
• As part of this plan, the President signed into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that included healthier standards for school meals. First Lady Michelle Obama established the Let”s Move Campaign to promote healthy diets and physical activity for kids.
• Mexico’s Congress passed a tax on soft drinks and high-caloric foods and the Health Ministry in Ecuador established regulations for labeling processed foods.
• Despite the significant actions that many nations have taken so far, much more needs to be done.
• For the obesity epidemic to be reversed within a generation, all sectors of society must be mobilized in a “health in all policies” approach with government, schools, media, businesses, health care providers, families and individuals involved.
• Governments must establish policies to promote physical activity and healthy eating that establish built environments safe for physical activity, lower the price of healthy foods, eliminate food deserts, and prevent rather than just treat obesity.
• Schools must provide rigorous physical activity programs at all grade-levels and healthy food options in cafeterias and vending machines.
• Health education programs should be included in the curriculum for students at every level to learn about healthy lifestyles.
• The media must help too, using their marketing skills to promote healthy lifestyles in television, on line, and in print venues. Individuals also have an important role to play by eating healthy and engaging in physical activity.
• Eventhough taxing by the government or banning certain advertisements about junk food could help but it is a combined effort of everyone inclding schools and individuals.
• As parents they have a major responsibility towards the health of their children and that is the first step towards controling the unhealthy eating habits.Parents should know when to say no to the child regarding eating junk,the home environment of eating dinners and lunches should be focused on healthy eating habits also eating while watching television should not be encouraged.
• Parents should communicate with their children and explain them the importance of healthy eating and also instead of giving them money to buy food from outside or even school cafeteria,they should make an effort to pack home made healthy food and encourage them to eat it.
• Schools also should focus on providing interesting but healthy food options and drinks,rather than packaged foods.Organic fresh juices,salads,sandwiches should be made rather than serving food having preservatives.
• These small efforts can make a huge difference and can make people move away from unhealthy eating habits and become more focused on changing their lifestyles and leading a good healthy life.