Diet and Nutrition: should the Government be involved in the fight on obesity - Research Paper Example

Topic: Diet and Nutrition: Should the Government be involved in the fight on obesity? Introduction How about having a pizza for meal today followed by a classic dessert? Sounds tempting right? Well this is how our eating habits have primarily developed over years. We have become slaves of our taste buds which tend to consume even though we have had enough for our body. The attractive properties of foods like its appearance: such as the cream over milkshake, its smell: such as the aroma of chocolate cakes and its taste: such as the crispy chicken and wings stimulate our appetite (Kessler David). The craving for these pleasures awakens superficial hunger in us. All this has gradually shifted eating preferences from eating healthy food to eating junk food. The levels of minerals, fats and proteins in our body define our body shape, size and its functioning. A disturbance in these standard levels disturbs our body functioning and is considered detrimental to our health. Of late, health consciousness has gained momentum and we therefore notice the awareness and alertness in some people for maintaining health and remaining fit. A proper direction though must be provided to everyone. Guidance on a large scale can be comfortably implemented by thoughtful government intervention. Keywords: health, medicine, hormones, habits, food, sleep, performance, responsibility, sports, media, awareness One major health problem which was not addressed until recently is about obesity. The state of being obese for a prolonged period is considered as a state of illness. Traditionally obesity has been defined as having weight of at least 20% above the ideal weight (Answers Corporation). Being abnormally fat has the potential to invite several diseases because of change in immunity levels. And if a large number of populations seem to follow wrong eating habits then it eventually becomes the concern of ruling/ governing body to look into the matter. Any government is supposed to consist of top notch people who exercise the power to control livelihood of masses. This is the key factor which brings government into picture and considers its involvement in solving the obesity problem before it goes beyond control. Food has been amongst the basic necessities since man’s existence. In ancient days man used to eat anything that could be obtained. But today we are at the peak of human evolution process and know well to process foods to suit our needs of consumption. Many of us still fail to implement good eating habits. Habits in general play a key role in shaping us as persons and in defining our future. Have we ever monitored the time that we spend on eating in a 24 hour period? Well it is a lot much to be paid attention to. Let us first peep into some of the major reasons responsible for causing obesity. i. Over-eating: A very basic reason is over-eating. Eating beyond the required amount leads to saturation of the eaten constituents. It then becomes necessary to burn this extra calorie which is not done in majority of cases. The accumulated food often referred to as trans-fat and considered unhealthy increases our body weight and heightens the risk of heart diseases (Chapman). ii. Wrong eating habits: Following wrong eating habits is yet another reason. Simply over eating whether of good or bad food stuffs surely help to put on weight. But it is not just that. If we eat good food but at wrong times and with wrong combinations it again is equally dangerous. Such food fails to produce the essential acids for breakdown and absorption of constituents. Recall the famous adage: ‘Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’; which one learns as a student in school. It aptly tells how important it is to manage our work schedules and eating hours at proper times. iii. Lack of sleep or Insomnia: Lack of sleep is a major reason disturbing body function. It also accumulates fats in our body and leads to obesity. A full length sleep of about 6 to 8 hours depending upon the age group is essential for a person to have a bright day ahead. iv. Starvation: Starving for a longer time generates acids which are ready to accept constituents to break them down, but do not receive them. It is a misconception that starvation helps to reduce weight. In fact, consistent starving makes one put on some oodles rather than losing them. Hence it is advised to keep eating little amounts of healthy food at regular intervals according to our diet regime. v. Hormone imbalances: Obesity is not necessarily dependent upon eating patterns. Sometimes the factors causing are beyond our control when they include hormone imbalances. This is usually observed to a large extent in females during puberty and menopause. The estrogen hormone levels are a determining factor of obesity in females. Disturbances in hormone levels can be due to variety of reasons which require an in-depth analysis to cure them and cure obesity as well. vi. Medicines: Another indirect reason for obesity lies in the heavy medicines that some people have to take for cure against other illnesses. Such medicines also include hormone affecting substances such as steroids among others. The imbalance caused thus contributes towards obesity. One thing what matters is why should the government be bothered about the entire fuss against obesity? The answer lies in the studies which have proved that obese people are lazy and that they often contribute to the inactive and non productive bulk of a nation. The performances of obese people as against the fit ones are drastically different; sparing a few select exceptions. These people can be a nuisance at work places too. Their efficiency is far below the standard expected mark. However this does not mean that all fat people fall in the same category. But today we need to pay attention to this issue to assure a better future. Obesity can also be hereditary; transferred from one generation to next. What we transfer to subsequent generations is of prime importance because those people form our country’s future. Our nation’s progress is at their disposal. Hence care needs to be taken. Government’s role in fighting obesity can be described as different measures that can be taken to either prevent obesity or to cure it and ensure consistency in its measures implemented. Some of the possible measures are elucidated below: i. Instill awareness: The first and foremost duty of the government is to instill a sense of awareness in the minds of people. This can be done by organizing awareness programs which convey the importance of staying fit. Appointing a health representative who is responsible for health related activities across all states and cities is a significant step. An effective way of handling is by forming voluntary groups ready to dedicate some time and energy to this cause. These groups should be thoroughly educated and made aware of the impacts of obesity on a person which include diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, cancer, etc. (Answers Corporation). Even the World Health Organization has opined obesity as an epidemic and that the diseases because of it are becoming commonplace (Answers Corporation). The voluntary groups should also be explained the far fetched impacts of obesity on the growth of a nation. A mouth to mouth spread of knowledge is apparently an effective tool to convey important information and convince masses. ii. Use of mass media: Government should make use of media: television, newspapers, magazines, electronic media etc. to propagate the ill effects of obesity. Implementing catchy advertisements through newspapers and magazines; for instance: an advertisement which shows a person growing obese on one hand and his lifeline decreasing proportionately on the other hand can be influential. Installing hoardings and banners to promote importance of fitness is also an option available. One important step is to involve famous personalities such as film stars, sport persons and political heroes; whom people consider their ideals, in the advertisements. iii. Fitness and Sports club: Yet another measure that can be taken by government is setting up of fitness clubs and sports clubs which promote importance of exercises. Playing different sports can add to creative usage of leisure time while promising a life of fewer health related problems. Exercises and sport activities would ensure adequate quantity of fats burned during workout or play. Over eating can be nullified by this activity. Conducting various sport competitions can encourage people to participate in large numbers. A well equipped fitness center can also be a good place to hang out with friends instead of hanging out at malls, eating joints and substandard roadside eateries. To attract more members the fitness and sports clubs can offer membership discounts and work out similar effective plans and propose lucrative offers. iv. Implement ban, introduce harmless foods: The much sought after and propagated as hedonistic food available cheaply at various food outlets heavily contributes to bad health. A strict policy making people pay taxes for junk foods should be implemented to keep them away from such food items. Some harmful fast food items can be literally banned. But the problem here is that it doesn’t address the real causes of obesity which are a lack of desire to take personal responsibility and a lack of motivation to stay healthy (Wexler). Priority given to immediate pleasures makes us succumb to unhealthy foods. It is here that the importance of self motivation is to be understood. The strong inner force can keep a person from doing certain things for a person’s own interest. It is known that our thoughts manifest into actions. So, controlling our thoughts and guiding them to proper paths is crucial. The government on its part can levy high rates to unhealthy food and also impose ban on certain extremely bad types of food stuff. Introducing healthy foods which offer tastes as good as the junk ones but are void of harmful materials can prove as a substitute to unhealthy food items. For instance: introducing sugar free but sweet items which replace harmful sugars to harmless ones while offering same taste pleasures is one measure. Government can initiate this activity by calling for proposals from companies/ organizations ready to help fight obesity. v. Hospitals and health care units: There are people who already suffer from obesity. As mentioned previously obesity leads to various diseases. It is the task of a responsible government to take proper measures to help people fight against such diseases. Hospitals, health care units and diagnostic centers can be set up for administering health of people. Medications for such ailments can be offered at lower prices so that they become affordable to common people. Everyone has learnt that ‘As you sow, so shall you reap’; accordingly all that we practice today will bear fruits in same proportion. If one follows proper habits to remain healthy and fit one will naturally have a good quality of life without much health problems. This is essential to be understood because all that appears good food is not essentially good for health though it has the potential to stimulate our brain cells to convince that we eat them. The food industry shall keep on expanding; it is looked as the manipulator of consumers’ minds and it knows well to convince people to change their habits (Sullum). A strong retaliation from awakened minds of people and true government support promises a sure shot win against obesity. Works Cited Answers Corporation. “Obesity” Retrieved on December 04, 2009 from http://www.answers.com/topic/obesity Chapman Steve. “Extra Crispy Chicken and Deep Fried Panic”. Reason. November 30, 2009. Retrieved on December 04, 2009 from http://reason.com/archives/2009/11/30/extra-crispy-chicken-and-deep Kessler David. “This is why we are fat: We can’t say no”. National Post. October 27, 2009. Retrieved on December 04, 2009 from http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2149118 Sullum Jacob. “The Peril of Palatability”. Reason. November 2009 issue. Retrieved on December 04, 2009 from http://reason.com/archives/2009/10/26/the-peril-of-palatability Wexler Sara. “Fat Chance”. The American: The Journal of the American Enterprise Institute. August 21, 2008. Retrieved on December 04, 2009 from http://www.american.com/archive/2008/august-08-08/fat-chance/?searchterm=obesity Read More