Those in favor of taxing unhealthy foods believe that those foods are the cause of obesity, taxing would be an effective intervention that would reduce consumption of unhealthy foods, and taxing would create revenue to fund programs focused on combatting obesity. Those against taxing unhealthy foods point out that there is “no clear evidence” that unhealthy foods cause obesity, taxing would unfairly target minorities, the poor, and the obese, and that revenue generated to fund programs focused on combatting obesity would more than likely not go to such programs. 3. What is your viewpoint on the issue? Consider the shades of gray options.
Luke Bilbao Christina Martinez ENG 102 1038 October 8, 2013 A Fortified Life Enhance your lifestyle with fortified foods, beat deficiencies in nutrients just by eating what you love. But in reality, when it comes to enhancing foods, certain limitations are set and it doesn’t quite seem to benefit the health of the public community as a whole. “Go Forth and Fortify” by Marion Nestle is a great article that relates to the process of enhancing or enrichment of certain minerals and vitamins in foods through a process called fortification. Although Nestle does not seem to quite agree with the fortification process due to limitations on those who receive fortified foods. She does seem to believe that fortification may also have few positive effects in public health.
Obesity Psychologists must work to maintain awareness on bias and perception to ensure appropriate assistance is provided to every client. The issues of race, color, or even age many view as elements an individual has no control over but obesity appears to be a choice. The views of many are that an individual who is obese or overweight is that way by choice or laziness resulting in a negative bias that can prevent therapeutic treatment (Pascal & Kerpius, 2012). Viewing an individual as obese also lends to beliefs of he or she is unintelligent, less productive, but caring (Pascal & Kerpius, 2012). The views of others can have long-term effects on an individual and create low self esteem as well as issues such as binge eating and depression.
Encouraging individuals to make healthy choices may have some impact, but because of the magnitude of the issue according to Purcell (2010), it is insignificant. While the study does not underestimate the importance of lifestyle self-management, but it does argue that at this point of the crisis it is not sufficient, when children’s health is in jeopardy. Purcell (2010) claims that by sustaining a traditional liberal approach of the public - private divide, legal obligations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child are neglected. This study provides moral and political challenges about childhood obesity by exploring limitations of existing political and health responses to this health issue. Results of this study provide some excellent insights regarding the importance of recognizing the need to change the current approach to childhood obesity; however, Purcell’s argument fails to be persuasive for several reasons: she makes assumption that most North American children eat fast food and spend a lot of time involved in sedentary activities, thus they are obese; believes parents are educated about unhealthy foods but struggle to provide healthier food choices for their children due to many reasons; and
The importance of Body Mass Index (BMI) Obesity is the accumulation of adipose (fatty) tissue in the body. This is now considered by the world health organisation to be a public health problem, hence it is a good practise to monitor and be aware of service user’s body mass index (BMI).There can be a genetic predisposition to gain weight, the risk is increased when parents themselves, or close relatives are obese. Also inadequate physical activity often combined with ‘bad eating habits’ cause an imbalance in the amount of energy taken in and expanded. It is also important to look at other factors such as hormonal imbalance and the ingestion of medication e.g. corticoids and antidepressants.Previously considered as an aesthetic problem, obesity is now regarded as a real illness.
There are many factors in today’s society that have affected the growing obesity epidemic around the world. Factors that have contributed to the obesity epidemic are: the many types of media advertising unhealthy food, the lack of time parents have due to demanding jobs, the growing amount of processed and packaged foods with added preservatives, and the small amount of time young people spend doing outdoor or recreational activities because of the latest technology. To make sure that our generation is not the first generation to die young of obesity related diseases many measure will have to be put to action to control the obesity epidemic. Today’s obesity epidemic started back in the 1970’s. More women/ mothers started to attain more demanding careers and there would be no one at home to cook healthy fresh meals.
Compatibility of Humor in Addressing Obesity Obesity is a hard issue to tackle because many obese people are sensitive and can easily misinterpret concerns as criticisms. The same is true for humor. Humor is a good appeal to catch the attention of readers, but ad agencies need to be careful in using it in advertisements because humor has the tendency to mock a particular group. In an advertisement addressing obesity, humor should be used in a way that does not single out and ridicule any group portrayed. Humor might not be the best way to present an obesity problem, but the Belgian Association for Obese Patients (BOLD), with L&G Advertising boldly challenged these assumptions by combining humor and obesity together in an advertisement to address the issue of obesity in children.
Fast food is not only fast but also inexpensive compared to nutritious ready-to-eat meals. Black, Latino, or Native American children have a higher rate of obesity regardless of socioeconomic status compared to Caucasian children (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Studies are not able to pinpoint the reasons for this but suggest it may have to do with cultural patterns involving eating less fruits and vegetables and more saturated fats as well as leading a more sedentary
Like many other maladies, weight problems are often associated with social standing and economic well-being. Children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more at risk in becoming obese than those of higher socio-economic. Similarly, kids in isolated communities, especially in inner cities are at greater risk than those who live in the mainstream/suburban geographic areas. Families in communities that are poorer or socially or geographically isolated have a relatively poor access to healthy food, and often remain unaware or unable to access facilities with that provide opportunities for increased physical activity. Historical trends in childhood obesity clearly show that the increase in obesity parallels increases in family poverty and community disruption.
The difference is that obesity is still discrimination based on physical appearance. Obesity is treated differently than race, because a person may be born into a certain ethnic group, but people believe that obesity is caused by one’s own actions. It may have been caused by parents over-feeding them, certain disease states or genetics, not just over eating or leading a sedentary lifestyle. There are several areas where overweight people face discrimination; at work, applying for a job, while shopping for clothes, traveling, and at school. Obese people are also prejudged by others based on the way they look.