Food Fight!: The Legal Debate Over The Obesity Epidemic, Food Labeling, And The Government's Involvement In What You Eat
IS PROVIDING EDUCATION ON HEALTHY EATING HABITS AND EXERCISE ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
I commend those that are trying to make a difference in the fight against obesity by providing education on healthy eating habits and exercise. I think that Michelle Obama has really taken steps in the right direction by forming the “Let’s Move” initiative. However, I am not convinced that programs like this are going to be enough to prevent nationwide and life-long battles with obesity. There are so many triggers of obesity that focusing on education alone might not be enough.
Unfortunately, one of the leading causes of obesity directly correlates to the socio-economic status of the family in which the children are raised. For example, there are many factors that are prevalent in families where obesity is present. According to the CDC, these factors include: busy families who cook less and eat out more, easy access to cheap, high-calorie and high fat fast food and junk food, less time actively playing outside, more time in front of the TV and/or computer, obese role models. Unfortunately, a lot of these problems are most prevalent in low-income families.
When the parents are either absent, or working too many jobs to cook for their children, the families often resort to unhealthy alternatives that are quick, and easy. These alternatives, are often the cheapest as well, since it is cheaper to get a large pizza for a family to share, rather than chicken breast, salad, fruits, and some whole grains. Parents in lower class families cannot afford these luxuries, and thus are forced to allow their kids to eat the cheap fast food, containing high levels of calories and saturated fats. Additionally, while children across all socio-economic levels obviously desire to watch TV and play video games, it may be more prevalent among families who cannot afford to be with their children, thus the children are left to their own devices. In families where there is a parent at home that looks after the children, or some similar figure, there is a better chance that the figure will encourage the children to engage in physical activities outside the home, rather than watch television. Finally, obesity is a vicious cycle. In families where the parents are obese and do not evidence healthy eating and exercising habits, the children are more likely to do the same. In cases where the parent’s obesity is due to easy access to cheap fast food, this is a vicious cycle that is unlikely to be unbroken because the economy remains at such a disadvantage to help these people.
All this is not to say that education on healthy eating habit and exercise are not beneficial, they most definitely are, but alone, they cannot be expected to make a difference if families do not have the resources to buy the healthier food, and the time to ensure their child is engaging in physical activity.
I also believe that the education on healthy eating habits has to be very specific and targeted to deflect the misleading advertisements that are seen by consumers in every day life. While it is extremely helpful that major chains are now listing nutrition information on their menus, the majority of people are inadequately equipped to understand that information. The average person may understand, through education on healthy eating habits that lower calories means it is healthier. However, it seems that the education that is being provided to the majority of the public is insufficient to provide the entire picture. While one item may have less calories, that does not mean that overall it is a better choice, because it could have higher amounts of saturated fats. While adults could learn this eventually, they constantly misled by companies that advertise products as “low calorie” or “no trans fats” because even the educated consumer is often unaware of the nuances of nutrition that examine many more factors in an item of food than just the trans fats or the calories.
What healthy eating habits comes down to, is that they must be taught at home and from a young age. Even if healthy eating habits and information about exercise is taught at school, if that is not brought home and reflected in a healthy diet and penchant for exercise throughout the family, it will never be able to have the hold on the nation that is needed in order to stop the obesity epidemic.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/publications/pdf/PP-Ch7.pdf
COMMENTS
Great article! As you mentioned, I also believe that a healthy home environment can promote healthy habits. Parents can promote certain attitudes by serving as role models. Because parents purchase groceries, they determine the foods eaten in the home. Thus, they can greatly influence healthy eating.
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Good article. I agree that our obesity epidemic stems from a viscious social cycle in which certain segments of society are more affected than others because of various social factors. The solution is that there needs to be a change from the inside out. The change needs to come from the inner workings of these particular social groups, which starts with the family unit. The problem is that mothers and fathers have failed to stress the importance of maintaing a healthy diet. As a result, children grow up with no moral guidance when it comes to making healthy dietary choices and then repeat the cycle when they become adults and parents.