persuasive essay

PERSUASIVE ESSAY

“Obesity is a problem that society needs to address by any means that are available”. Argue the case for this point of view.

Obesity is a social problem. A social problem can be a personal problem and it does not have to touch the lives of everybody in that society. The incidence of obesity is worrying everyone. The British Public recognise the role that parents must play in improving the diets and health of their children. Obesity is a very big problem in the country and it is enormously costly for all. It is a dangerous epidemic spreading death and disabilities.

The society is trying its best to address the issue of obesity. There are many resources being developed to address this epidemic. Different organisations are being formed to try to tackle the problem. One way of addressing it is an organisation called the Obesity Society , it is a leading scientific society, which is dedicated to the study of obesity, its vision is to understand, prevent and treat obesity and to improve lives of those affected. This organization is committed to encouraging research of the causes of obesity and keeping the environment informed of new advances. It is committed to four major goals, research, education, and advocacy and organization developments.

The National Child Measurement Programme for England was introduced three years ago. The latest figures suggest a fifth of children in reception classes, at the age of five or six are over weight or obese, as are a third of 11-year-olds. The Government’s action is to reduce obesity by 2020 by giving local authorities powers to prevent fasts foods outlets opening near parks and schools and it is making headway in tackling school nutrition and secondary schools pupils will have compulsory cooking lessons.

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On the 18th of September 2006, Jamie Oliver tackled the shame state of school dinners on a TV series. He showed that children were eating processed junk food instead of fresh vegetables leading to a time bomb health time bomb. So he took over school meals in Greenwich and tried to persuade the Government to improve standards with dinner lady Nora Sand, he showed that kids could be fed fresh, nutritious meals. After a huge campaign, newspapers headlines and delivering a 300,000-signature petition, Tony Blair agreed to set new standards for school meals and committed £280 million for proper ingredients ...

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The government introduced the five a day campaign in 2003. They encourage people to eat fruits and vegetables at least five portions a day as a campaign to encourage parents across the country to help tackle the growing problem of obesity. They introduced cut back of fat, simple ways like comparing food labels and change to the way people prepare their food and encouraging parents to me size meals which is kids shouldn’t eat more than their bodies. Another important thing is that, parents don’t check is snack check. People eat snacks more than they realise. Snacks can be high in sugar, fat calories, and salt. So limiting snack and treats is a great way of keeping a lid to kids and try to have food and drinks with low sugar.

The department of culture, media, and sport education and skill now called the Children School and Families introduced The Weight Watcher in 2004. They agreed a joint public service agreement to halt obesity by 2010. This includes weighing 4-5 years old and 10-11 year old, which are measures to improve nutrition’s in schools. The so called healthy schools programmes which promote healthy eating, emotional healthy and well being as well as sport, traffic light food labelling, making routes to schools to promote walking and cycling, revamping play grounds and restrictions on junk food adverts. All this is being addressed by the society as a means to tackle obesity.

Parents are always responsible for children’s obesity. Children are not yet mature enough to make difficult decisions to stop eating unhealthy food, they follow their taste, it is the parent’s job to look after children and teach them the benefits of healthy diet. Using the word ‘obese’ should be taboo when it comes to children, Whitehall health chiefs say. The guidance is part of a government drive to inform parents of their child’s weight and height at the ages of five and 11. Children will be better classified as overweight. But Tam Fry, board member of the National Obesity Forum, said it is important to be honest with parents and it is necessary because it’s the kind of shock word that makes parents sit up and take notice. Obesity expert Dr Susan Jebb, who supports the approach, said; ‘ you can’t spread the word ‘obese’ around when a child’s circumstance have not been taken into account have not diagnosed.

Running and walking can help. This is one area of health over which people do have control, if people can exercise. There are less opportunities to burn calories, people ride on escalators, elevators, moving walk ways and sit in front of TV while eating. How can one give responsibility to the society? Few kids walk to school or ride bicycles even when they live within walking distance. It is laziness, which forces parents into driving kids to school. There is a growing call for child obesity to be treated as neglect. It’s the parent’s fault.

Parents must set an example to their children, when they start loosing weight they will encourage them to do the same. They will be setting a positive example. Parents should adjust to technically advanced world to fit in exercise. Children spend most of their time watching TV, playing games and on Internet. Being up and about burns calories and helps fend off diseases. Children who are inactive don’t burn off enough fat but store up fat in their bodies. Parents should do some thing more active with their children. They should also learn to prepare meals at home and encouraging your children to eat healthy.

Parents should weigh and measure weight and height to check for obesity (BMI) regularly and compare it with health chart to keep control of the extra flesh that your child is carrying. Proper diet management should be followed. Parents of overweight children will be urged to seek help, with the letter advising them to contact a GP, school nurse or practice nurse, none of them will be informed of the results. Although the measuring scheme will be in force nationwide. Children are not given the results for their weight to prevent them being bullied.

A study find out that children with overweight parents are four times more likely to be overweight themselves. Over weight children cannot do anything without support of their parents. If parents cannot take action against their own weight problems, then none can be expected to influence their children. Most parents lack the will power to do something about their children’s obesity. The society is trying its best to address this issue but parents are to blame because they don’t support and encourage their children.