Government Advocate
As childhood obesity has become a growing problem in the United States the government has taken some initiatives to solve and prevent it. The first main policy approach was based on individual responsibility that encouraged education. The goal of these educational initiatives were that people “would understand the dangers in their lifestyle choices and behave differently.” However, the government recognized its first approach was ineffective and quickly turned attention to enforcing stricter regulations on the fast food industry while continuing educational initiatives.
Highly politically involved policies began to emerge after the 2008 election during the peak of childhood obesity awareness. For example, the FDA has made the pledge to cut all trans fat from restaurants. In November of 2013 the FDA announced that the food industry has until June 2018 to “stop using partially hydrogenated oils and shift to only very limited uses that are proven to be safe.” This will cut out an enormous amount of trans-fat from Americans diets promoting healthy eating. Additionally, Mayor Bloomberg in New York attempted to prevent the sale of large sugary beverages to cut back on sugar and calorie intake. This would have prohibited the sale of any sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. Unfortunately, it was ruled by the New York Court of Appeals that the ban exceeded the New York City Board of Health’s regulatory authority, preventing the ban from coming into effect. Therefore, the regulatory power of the federal government is needed to implement a similar policy nation wide to combat obesity and promote public health. One of the most important governmental initiatives is Michelle Obama’s Lets Move campaign because it “encompasses healthy choices, healthier schools, physical activity, and accessible and affordable foods that are healthy.” This educational initiative along with tighter regulations on the fast food industry is the best way to combat childhood obesity.
However, there is still more that the government needs to do in the fight against childhood obesity. The first would be to tax fast food and sugar sweetened beverages to prevent consumption by creating cheaper alternatives. The taxes collected from this should be used to create obesity prevention programs and subsidize healthy foods. Also, the trans-fat ban could be used as a model to regulate the use of salt and sugar in the food industry, forcing them to make healthier alternatives. The government must implement these policies and taxes to further the fight against childhood obesity.
Highly politically involved policies began to emerge after the 2008 election during the peak of childhood obesity awareness. For example, the FDA has made the pledge to cut all trans fat from restaurants. In November of 2013 the FDA announced that the food industry has until June 2018 to “stop using partially hydrogenated oils and shift to only very limited uses that are proven to be safe.” This will cut out an enormous amount of trans-fat from Americans diets promoting healthy eating. Additionally, Mayor Bloomberg in New York attempted to prevent the sale of large sugary beverages to cut back on sugar and calorie intake. This would have prohibited the sale of any sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. Unfortunately, it was ruled by the New York Court of Appeals that the ban exceeded the New York City Board of Health’s regulatory authority, preventing the ban from coming into effect. Therefore, the regulatory power of the federal government is needed to implement a similar policy nation wide to combat obesity and promote public health. One of the most important governmental initiatives is Michelle Obama’s Lets Move campaign because it “encompasses healthy choices, healthier schools, physical activity, and accessible and affordable foods that are healthy.” This educational initiative along with tighter regulations on the fast food industry is the best way to combat childhood obesity.
However, there is still more that the government needs to do in the fight against childhood obesity. The first would be to tax fast food and sugar sweetened beverages to prevent consumption by creating cheaper alternatives. The taxes collected from this should be used to create obesity prevention programs and subsidize healthy foods. Also, the trans-fat ban could be used as a model to regulate the use of salt and sugar in the food industry, forcing them to make healthier alternatives. The government must implement these policies and taxes to further the fight against childhood obesity.