What causes obesity?
Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance. This involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. High calorie foods are more easily available today than ever before. Americans have also never had a less active lifestyle.
What action can be taken?
I believe that the U.S. Government should get involved in the managing of its people’s diets because they will not do it on their own. If the U.S. government stepped up their campaign on obesity, many of the country’s obese people could stop getting heavier and/or shed pounds.
I think that the problem with people in our country is the lack of motivation to diet and exercise. I believe that the public policy for people would be that people that exercise regularly should be rewarded. I believe that people who put forth effort in an exercise program should be rewarded with tax deductions. This would bring a lot more people into the world of exercise.
The next most-important thing is education. Education is key if lowering of the countries weight is wanted. Bringing knowledge of what foods do what, how, and why would allow the public to be more educated on how to lose weight properly. Habits are established at a young age, and if healthy habits can be established, than the country can be much better off. It is a two-part equation.
“In the District of Columbia and half a dozen states, lawmakers are debating bills that would require fast food and chain restaurants to post nutrition information such as caloric, fat and sugar content on menus.” This is the other side of the two-part equation. After being thoroughly educated about dieting, Americans must have access to the information to be able to know what foods are good or bad and why. Knowing how to read is not relevant if there is nothing to read. Same concept applies to diets.
How is it being addressed?
The Surgeon General identifies the following 15 activities as national priorities for immediate action. Individuals, families, communities, schools, worksites, health care, media, industry, organizations, and government must determine their role and take action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity.
The policy includes…
Spending more governmental money on the promotion of diet and exercise. Currently, McDonalds alone spends more money on advertising their high-calorie products than the USDA spends on promoting 5 fruits and vegetables a day.
Works Cited
American Obesity Association. 13 Oct. 2004. TMGWeb. 17 Oct. 2004 .
Connolly, Ceci. Public Policy Targeting Obesity. 10 Aug. 2003. 17 Oct. 2004 .
The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. Apr. 2004. 19 Oct. 2004
