Curbing Obesity: Government's Role in Promoting Healthy Diets

Did you know that more than two thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese (Center for Disease Conrtol)? This is the growing problem in the U.S that we, as Americans, can’t seem to find a solution to. The government spends billions of dollars annually to help those with overweight/obese health issues. But the government does not directly help people by changing their diets and making them healthy enough to live without those medical expenses. This trend is also upwards and the number of obese/overweight Americans has tripled since 1963 (Smith). Americans today should be forced by the government to have a healthy diet and avoid or limit the consumption of fast food. Fig. 1. A graph shows the growth of obesity from 1960-2010 and the

Most of them are bright shiny colors or are flashing and blinking to capture your attention and pull you in to eating something that’s pretty close to garbage with no real nutritional value whatsoever. Eating this food can add extra calories, cause your body to be resistant to insulin and spike your blood sugar. It can also cause high blood pressure, depression, dental distress, weight problems, high cholesterol, and acne (Pietrangelo and Corey). Despite the negative health effects these companies like McDonalds and Burger King still pull people in to over eat their food. “We know what makes us overeat: billions of dollars in advertising messages, food sold everywhere in gas stations, vending machines, libraries, and stores that sell clothing, books, office supplies, cosmetics and drugs- and huge portions of food at bargain prices.” (Nestle) This directly relates to the fact that advertising is raking in Americans from every angle to buy their terribly un-healthy food products. Not only do they target the adult population directly but also through the minds of their own children. “Children’s exposure to TV ads for unhealthy food products (i.e., high calorie, low nutrient snacks, fast foods, and sweetened drinks) is a significant factor for obesity.” (American Psycological Association). This is significant because

It could also completely crush the stereotypes of Americans who are “all overweight and obese”. It could also set this country up for a healthier, and more fit generation. But, it also doesn’t have to be done all at once. Not every American can just be thrown into eating right. “Government intervention on our nutrition may not be as controlling as we think. Simply reducing the amount of vending machines on college campuses, or portion sizes in high school cafeterias are small acts that can do a great deal in the long run.” (Knell). This shows that the government could slowly infuse slight changes over period of time to help every American to get into the right pace of eating healthy. But it’s not just eating healthy in general that turns many people away: it’s the insane cost of healthy food. “Over the course of a year, $1.50/day more for eating a healthy diet would increase food costs for one person by about $550 per year.” (Dwyer). The government should make it so that unhealthier foods are more expensive so that more people are not inclined to buy them and are more inclined to by the cheaper and healthier