This week, the documentary, "
Fed Up!" opened in selected theaters. The film is co-produced by Katie Couric, and Laurie David - the same producer of "
The Inconvenient Truth," which we watched in class last week. The film attacks both the food sector and the federal government for playing a significant role in the obesity crisis. Those of you who know me, know I love to cook. I particularly focus on making things from scratch, using local produce and poultry, and avoiding dyes and preservatives as much as possible. I do this mainly for environmental reasons, although I do agree that the dyes, preservatives and pesticides are also contributing to our allergy epidemic. So, I was pretty interested when I came across an article detailing some of the statistics in the movie. Consider the following:
- The average kid would need to ride a bike for 1 hour and 20 minutes to burn off a 20 ounce Coke.
- Sugar is one of the few things that isn't required to have a daily recommended intake label on food.
- In 1980, there were zero cases of type 2 diabetes among 8-19 year olds. In 2010, there were 57,638 cases.
- Most nutritionists agree, we need 6-9 teaspoons of sugar each day. Our grocery stores have over 60,000 products and 80% of them have added sugar.
- The current generation of kids is expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.
Obesity is often described as a personal problem - that is, the person lacks exercise or self-control. Honestly, I've been guilty of that too. I've spent hours running at the gym, and feeling really depressed when I don't go, or when I succumb to a craving and have a cookie...or two. The movie isn't saying that exercise and self-control aren't important for weight management and overall health. Rather the film argues that the food industry and the federal government, contribute to our obesity crisis by lax public policy and regulations. It's not just as simple as avoiding sugary foods. Almost
everything has sugar in it nowadays - muffins, granola, pasta, juice - even things you think are healthier options.
Industry experts claim the film oversimplifies a complicated issue. They point out that organic and natural labeling are on the rise, and more kids are exercising - thanks in part, to Michele Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign. So my question to you this week is, "Do you think the federal government plays a role in our obesity epidemic, or does it come down to personal choice? Do you think all this sugar is really a problem - or is it just another scapegoat like fat or carbohydrates have been in the past?" Answers are due no later than Wednesdays, May 21st, 2014.
I think obesity comes down to parents and companies such as McDonalds. A salad at McDonalds cost 5 dollars and a double cheeseburger cost 99 cents. We care more about money than health in america. I think we are starting to realize how unhealthy we are as americans but, that doesn't mean we will change anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI think it really comes down to the person taking it, excluding children of course which would then fall on the parent. Companies that make this food are trying to make money in their business, they aren't breaking into people's homes and force-feeding them or threatening someone if they don't eat their products. The only one you can blame for being overweight is you(if your overweight), or the parent if we are talking about child obesity.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't think the government play a major part. I think its personal choice. I think people are to lazy to take care of themselves and much more easier to not watch what you eat then to stay on track and watch what you eat and its not so cheap to stay healthly either.
ReplyDeleteThe way I look it as the way it is, if it is cheaper to buy greasy fast food than to pay an arm and a leg simply for a salad that then doesn't fill you up of course you're gonna pick the fast food. The government and corporate America have created an obese nation by overpricing healthy foods and making the unhealthy foods cheaper and more appealing. Sugar is a serious problem for the entire world, the only way for you to see the difference is to stop drinking sugar filed sodas once you do that you begin to see how detrimental the sugar was to your personal health. In my opinion Americans are going to get fatter because McDonalds, Burger King, White Castle etc. are going to keep making they're fattier foods cheaper and the healthier food more expensive.
ReplyDeleteI think the government could be better at food regulations. The main problem, I think, is that the people fall into a unhealthy life style. Eating foods that are no were near healthy all the time. Granted, healthy foods are in most cases are more expensive and I think that is a big factor in this issue. People go for cheaper foods to save money in the long run or to save time. Also, it is hard to find time to go and buy and make food. When that is the problem it is up to the individual to find the time and put in the effort. To solve the problem it will take a group effort with the government and its citizens.
ReplyDeleteI believe the government plays a small role in the obesity epidemic. Now more so for young children in public schools. With the new regulations on good choices being offered in school we should see an improvement however small. I do believe sugar is a big culprit in the "epidemic" but I think that the super power lies in personal choice. Reading labels can change your diet quickly.
ReplyDeleteI think the government should put a few things in order. We should know how much sugar is being added to our foods. But it's not all of their responsibility. Society needs more self control and movement. It hasn't been brought to my attention, until recently how much sugar I consume. I think sugar is a big problem. You don't realize how much you're consuming until you have a stomach ache.
ReplyDeleteBethany Blake
I feel if people were aware of whats actually in the food they are eating they would choose healthier eating habits. Parenting is also a big factor in my eyes, because how your child is raised affects them for the rest of their life. Parents should take more of an activer role in their child diet and monitor what they eat.
ReplyDeleteThe government isn't responsible, its a cultural problem, the only defense against it the government can take is to try to change the culture. Which is where the awareness campaigns come in. But they're up against massive corporations who profit heavily from the cultural standard as it is now. They have billboards, air time, commercials,any attempt at government intervention would be met with widespread anger and cries of "personal freedom"its a lose lose situation.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the government plays apart in our obesity crisis, but it is also personal choice that makes people overweight. To be honesty this topic is kind of bogus just because their are so many variables. example government, personal choice, inheritance from family genes, traumatic experience and the list goes on.
ReplyDeletei think that government plays a role in our obesity increase ,however it is a person choice that we are responsible for. I think the government could do a better job regulating,but I think that we are the only ones that can help ourselves
ReplyDeleteI think it's a personal problem but then again the government does play a part. Some people don't have time to make dinner so they have to feed their families as soon as they get off the late shift and get to bed. Also if the government had not approved some the very tight living situations and chemicals with some animal farms our food would be healthier. But then again people have to take steps to become healthier if possible.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that government has anything to do with the increase of obesity. It is ones personal choice on what they do and do not eat. As a young child I was always a little more overweight than everyone else my parents would never cook at home and wanted to always go out to eat and generally to fast food restaurants. As I got older my parents were always working so we only ate maybe once a day to the fact that my brother and I didn't want to cook and it lowered our metabolism. I was also on certain medication that made it to the point I would just constantly eat. We all are responsible for what choose to eat or not eat.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part I think it is a personal problem. People have a choice to eat what they want to. It's not like the government is making people eat sugar.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe the government play role of obesity. It all depends in you on how are you active do you do any sports if your in school or do you workout. This generation is messed up because they are lazy and spend most of there time watching tv or the internet. The government doesn't have anything to do with how you traet your body mind and soul its a personal thing.
ReplyDeletethe problem sounds like an individuals issue. we shouldn't really worry about it, every country has their own set of problems..one of ours is being too excessive.
ReplyDeleteit is a personal issue, but doesn't mean the government shouldn't be encouraging people to eat better and exercise.
ReplyDeletePersonally I blame all the sodas and free refills.
The obesity rate in this country has increased tremendously over the past few years.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is not only the food that has unhealthy substances inside, but the number of people who don't have control over the way they eat. There are a variety of healthy diets to choose from, but they are always rejected due to the taste buds of certain people.
In all honesty it does boil down to personal choice in many cases. It's a matter of do I buy this or that, something healthy or fatty. Though other things do play into the matter, specifically how much money you have to spend on food. Where healthy food is more expensive then fattening sugary foods.
ReplyDeleteObesity is the byproduct of the government's decisions on what's "good" and what's "bad" for us. Here in the United States, we learn through experience what's good and what's bad--saturated fats serve as primary example of what we learned was ruining us. Now, there is a movement to end the use of high-fructose corn syrup in our products due to the fact that it aids to United Staters becoming obese. The United States begun using high-fructose corn syrup, because it is cheaper to use than regular granulated sugars. That switch is in the process of begin reversed as more of our population becomes aware of the troubles that high-fructose corn syrup can cause.
ReplyDeleteCedric Shirley
i think it's personal choice. the products do list ingredients. if people don't look at what they are eating it is their fault.
ReplyDeleteThe government has an obligation to educate and help their citizens with obesity. Although, it comes down to personal choice. We cannot force American citizens to eat their vegetables, and stay away from fatty foods. We have options as citizens to choose the foods we want to put in our bodies.
ReplyDeleteThe "Let's Move Campaign" is one of the most successful ones I have seen in my lifetime. It might help our future generations of young people be educated from an early age and adopting a more healthy lifestyle and food choices earlier in life. Adopting healthy lifestyles at an early age will ensure these young generations will grow up to be healthy adults.
I feel that obesity is a personal issue, but considering it's more economical to eat cheap and greasy burgers and pizza opposed to healthier options, it's plain to see why this epidemic is taking over the American people.
ReplyDelete