Can Government Stop Obesity?

I do not believe that government has any business regulating what I put into my body.

I decided to do some research on the vast growing number of people with high blood pressure, cholestrol and diabetes. These diseases and so many others are caused by peoples choice of food. I understand that obesity, like smoking, has become a public health crisis and demands a public health solution. I have a few suggestions. First, I learned that farmers are producing way more food than is needed to feed America, this is causing food proportions to grow, and many Americans to get fatter. I have also read that the government tells us to eat less of what is on the top of the food pyramid and more of what is on the bottom, such as fruits, vagetables, and bread products, how can we do that when more of the top is being produced. Is more unhealthy products being put out to the public to satisfy the wants of consumers?

I feel that the government needs to mandate back into society some key elements that deal with health. We are the most unhealthy country in the world. Our children do not have to take P.E. classes anymore if they don't have to. It's it time that they have to. Vending machines in all schools. Soda machines everywhere also. Why are our children getting obese? We let them.

Now lets talk about leading by example. Being active is a key to having fun in life. Why do we choose to sit and watch T.V. instead of going to the park and feeding the ducks. Why do we stop at McDonalds or Taco Bell when the grocery store offers the same products, that are healthier for us, to make the same thing. Try barbequeing sometime at the park. It's healthier and more proactive. Life style changes don't have to be as drastic as getting a gym membership. Taking a walk or walking the dog will do the same. Take the time to have a better life. That time will bring better memories and better looking photos.

I think it would really suck if the Goverment did that. I mean are we going to have a say in anything that happens to our bodies or what we like to eat. What will they do next but can they really take it this far??????????????

Hey Courtney I think you are totally right about the whole thing you rock

I'm doing a project for unhealthy eating and I need 2 sides of the argument. Can anyone help me by telling me what the goverment intend to do about this problem?

I think that we should be responsible for are own bodies NOT THE GOVERNMENT. It is the governments responsibility to have all food products label them with all the info about its calories, vitamins and minerals and its up to us to make the choices of what we should eat. We would all love to be health but we need to have self control.

when has the government ever gotten it's hands into personal choice areas and made things better? only the ones making money on that. not the individuals involved,

whatever happend to american home of the free? all they need to do is educate, not force people to comply, after all it is their body not the governments, and obesity like so many diseases is not known for sure what is causing it,

eating too much as a cause is too simplistic, there are people who eat junk food and don't gain any weight and don't exercise, then there are people who don't eat junk and exercise who are fat.

and whether america is home to the unhealthy that depends on what parameters you use to determine health, I just read how they thought that exercisers who get what is known as athletes hearts were diseased hearts back in the early years when exercise was being studied,, and when athletes have big hearts and appear to be healthy it was assumed later that it meant better fitness and health, but no one did any studies on whether a bigger heart due to exercise meant a healthier heart, they just assumed due to it being a trait of athletes.

but this has become a well accepted fact that an athletes heart was a good thing to have, but there are no studies to back that up. so while many accept all the things touted as to the cause of this or that whether obesity diebetes, federal deficits etc, we have to realize that there is alot of misconceptions, hidden agendas and manipulations going on and we need to take things with a grain of salt.

the government after all is looking out for big business and itself not us.

RR

RR

Why did we smoke? Corporations advertised to us cigarettes and produced them.

Why are we fat? Corporations have taken over farming and are producing high yield, but low quality foods (soy and corn syrup).

Of course we don't get this option, the option of regulating what corporations produce. We're so capitalist in America we don't even question corporatism itself and whether it's worth it.

The government should get involved because people obese people think it's okay to stuff whatever they want however the after effects are dealy therefore putting a strain on america's health system. Obesity causes diabetes, Orthopaedic disorders, respiritory disorders etc.

besity costs taxpayers an estimated $1.5 billion every year in direct health costs. This is because their is production lost to premature death, and the hundreds of millions of dollars that Americans spend annually on weight management program. It is not only themselves that they are affecting, they are affecting the whole nation.

This money could be spent on people who actually have serious health problems, such as AIDS! The government should get involed because it's the only way it will stop, As if people are gonna suddenly become all proactiv ans start exercising.

I have recently been doing some reserch on obesity in america. And in which I learned kids now are three times fatter than in the 80's. Thats crazy the problem is kids are not taught about health. I am a senior in high school and through my schooling. The only health class I had was a half of a semester. Our school didn't even have Health books. I belive the goverment needs to intervene with children and young adults and teach them about healthy lifestyles, our this problem will only grow worse. And people need to understand fitness in not a destination it's a lifestyle

Thats insane. Sin taxes on sodas huh? Its Americans choice to be fat, don't be lazy and blame it on commercials or the government or whatever. If your fat its not McDonalds or the cow that died fault. Its yoursfor eat ing, no one made you. America is the world of impatient fast-paced lifesyles. Go on the computer, watch TV, its quicker entertainment than actually moving your ass.

Be big and grown up and go outside, see thesun, eat an apple, run a mile. You will be amazed.

anything in moderation is acceptable...we should have the govenment not interferrin its our choice what we feed ouyrselves...obviously garbage in garbage out!

yes govermnnet can stop obesity...take out vendin machines..promote healthy foods..give incentives for thos epromoting helathy products

I beleve the magority of people how are fat, eat McDonalds and other fast Foods far to much.
And if the goverment cared about there country and health rates then they would contorl the amonts of fatty and unhealhy foods coming out of these places.

First off a sin tax is insane, they would end up spending that money on crap, misusing it on causes that are of less importance, or put it in their own pockets. Come on u know it's true look at how health and science/research have suffered right now - money wise and being halt buy truck loads of legislation.

Second, these guys care about their financial supporters more, not the American people in general. Look at FDA, new legislation that's been passed in various areas, and financial cuts in areas that are vital to keeping us safe and alive.

Third, Obesity is a real disease. It is more likely to lead to worse illnesses and that's been scientifical proven repeatedly. Unlike say the shaky ground that smoking marijuana will lead to harder drugs, yet how much do we spend on that each year!?!

Why would u not spend money on Obesity to try to prevent the onset of life threating illnesses esp. when everyone knows it is much much much cheaper to spend on prevention instead of treatment of major illnesses. If u wait until they get one then there is really gonna start costing esp. when they get those other life altering problems.

Should the govt. get involved? Yes, in some way, but they refuse to because the solution would take money out of their pockets from the very people who give them those financial donations. Case in point, why the heck do we need high fructose corn syrup in almost all our foods. This stuff is starting to show itself and prove that it is a major reason our blood glucose levels are out of control. From the looks of things many can't handle this repeated up and down surge, hence children (people who have not been abusing their body for years -most likely) are coming down will illnesses that were almost non existent in their age group and reserved for those of adult age. The govt. wants to help start taking this stuff out and putting the old sugars in which really didn't do damage to our grandparents. They weren't taking meds at age 8 or so. Yeah, that young.

No not all obese people are stuffing their mouths Shannon. Some, like my sis (adult), have been on heavily regulated diets and have tried dramatic things to lose weight without result. No she ain't sneaking stuff in, that's the reality. Exercise included in her regimen, and private insurance covering her dr. visits. In the end, it is obvious that ur body can be affected by years of being hit by things like corn syrup.

I am not really an organic food fan, but from the looks of it, going that way is only a helper. PUtting steriods in cows, and corn syrup, and letting food producers do What Ever the He$L They want is what has brought us here. We regulated the tabacco companies, now we need to do the same to food companies who affect a Wider NUmber of Americans.

I may sound pessimistic but this stuff is happening. Get money from food companies, leaving stuff to hook us but that stuff can hurt us more than we know. Go to dr. who costs us an arm and a leg due to high health care costs which is also where politicans get financial donations from (weird how insurance costs keeping going up and yet we are the most powerful, prosperous nation - For once Canada got something right). This stuff is disgusting and we are too clustered, apathetic, sometimes too ignorant, and we can bicker too much amongst ourselves.

Yeah, get involved gov. but attack the sources of what has become a illness. In this case, attack the surrounding area of high med cost, but do it in a way that is direct for once.

tell the goverment to go to hell if thery think they can put healthy food in me u benders ps you all suck

i think some off the people that say yes u can well no u carnt i think u are wasting your time and should think about what the kids like and not whatu want them to eat and u shoul get the childrens idea befor you do anythink you prats.

At school we are having a project on obesity and the goverment. We must make a assigment, and we must do a discussion. Do you know any sites or self written works (A) we could use???

GOvernment or not, there should be a real CHOICE, so that those wishing to eat healthy foods (organic, non-processed, wild even -read : fish) can actually do so. As it is, there are "miles and miles" of junkfood even in the supermarkeds, redy to microwave burgers, frozen pizzas, you name it. Fine, if you want to eat that and get fat, it's your probelm. Take that responsibility yourself. But why can't those wishing to be healthy and lean have the same vast choice, instead of a tiny, hidden corner of the same stores ?

People should be fat if they want to be.

I think people that are fat should just stop eating for a bit, this would solve all the problems like, the skinny people could have food instead of the fat people eating it all, then everyone would be the perfect size, really fat people shouldnt be fat, its there own fault for sitting on thier arse all day and eating takeaways to ofton. also has kno one else realised how come if ronald macdonald lives in macdonalds then he obviosly eats it all the time so HOW ISNT HE FAT? yup i kant realise it eether.
oh well stop bieng fat all you fat people.

I think that putting things in our body that we dont want is wrong, but they have a right to care about what the people of America look like. I mean if we dont want them to do something like this, then we try your own way of making America healthier.

Almost 130 billion dollars are spent on obesity related illnesses when this money could be going towards people whith life threatening diseases like tay-sachs or aids. Instead this money is going to Jeff because he wants to stuff his fat ass wiht fatty foods. NOT COOL.

The government should not be put responsible for what citizens eat. Overweight individuals should know what food is good for them and when Too Much is TOO MUCH. Perhaps people should work as a nation and try to motivate eachother to eat healthier and excercise regularly.
Stop complaining about overweight folks and try helping them out instead!

i agree with patty!!!!! all the wayyyyyyy

the government can for sure stop the obesity! they need to take things away that cause this such as macdonalds. these fast food resources are one of the main causes of obesity!

This is supposed to be america!
The country where people are supposed to have the right to choose.
How many freedoms are they going to have to take away before we the people put a stop to all of this B-S.
the government does not have the right to tell people what they can and cannot eat..
We are supposed to have the right to choose!
If I want a greasy burger and fries fried in fat,then that is supposed to be my right...
they keep passing or trying to pass laws to make this country heathier.Thats great,but on they same hand,people should be able to choose...Most of the problem is that people eat too much,eat too late before bed,and don't exercise enough.I am guilty!in the past,kids didn't have the tv or video games like they do today,when I was young,I used to go out and play ball,or ride bikes,or do something constructive..but today alot of kids stay inside and do nothing.

If the government keeps taking away our freedoms,what are we going to do when we have none!We have already lost alot because one or two people get hurt and then they make laws to stop everyone from doing things that one or two idiots got hurt doing..
This is almost like comunism...they will be telling us what we can and cannot do,or eat...
STOP THE MADNESS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a slippery slope!! Once they took away Pluto's right to be a PLANET, there's no stopping it now!!

Da gov should be ble to control what anybody eats ami rite

It is necessary for the governement to step in to prevent obeisty. Obesity rates have doubled in the past twenty-five years! Thats ridiculous! If people cannot be responsible enough to control what they eat, it is up to the government.

If you're fat then thats you're own fault! The government have nothing to do with what you put in your own body! its a case of therapy and how to control your desires for fast food! Now be strong!

i am fat and i love it!!!

i agree with dude. being fat rocks! you can play with it all day! :P

the government should put extreme taxes on fast foods, like they have done with cigs, and impliment some heafty laws on ways to prevent obesity, such as regulating the ammount of calories restraunts/fast food restraunts can put in their meals.

It is a shame being a fit American, yet also living in among the fattest people on this planet.

When obesity is causing the country hundreds of billions of dollars, i believe that is ample proof that they have the right to help prevent the epidemic, and reverse the trend. Don't accept the disease that YOU did to yourself, it's never too late...

hey all you fat people, you are causing billions of government dollars to go to waste because of the disease you did to yourselves. pretty sad when you have to say "its our choice to become fat." don't be so lazy... don't blame commercials, fast food, or non-organic foods. There are so many healthy foods out there, and too many gyms to go to. you are embarrasing our country... and your mentality is absolutely shameful. Do something about it, you fat and lazy people, unless you actually want to live your pathetic lives as depressed fat people... it's never too late to actually get fit and happy. and don't reply to me saying "i am happy being fat" because we both know that you aren't, and you would prefer actually looking decent. since you fattys cost our government so much money, they can do what they want to do in order to prevent it.

The very fact that so many people are becoming grossely overweight shows that citizens do not have the CAPABILITIES to be responsible. American's are refered to as fat and lazy. The fact of the matter is you may have the right to be fat and lazy, but as it is in society today the scales are tipped so as the sway a person towards easily obtained, calorie rich food. Our palates are trained from a young age to love sugar, fat, and salt. When these substances are cheap and easy to obtain, only people with strong willpower will actually resist and pursue nutrition that doesn't incur damage to the body. Even if a person burned off as many calories as they consumed, saturated fats and high sodium products incur internal damage that is far more serious than unattractive fat. Two thirds of all american adults are overweight, and half of that are obese. Whether its abdominal hernias, breast cancer in women or prostate cancer in men, heart disease, osteoarthritis, or respiratory problems, if you are obese you WILL get seriously sick. Obesity will kill you and it will do it quickly. Last year one of my friends, a grosely overweight man went temporarily blind after one binge. I've seen the quality of life in those that don't take the time to get a little exercise in and substitute home cooked meals for fast food. They don't have a tenth of the energy of a slimmer person, and they are always getting sick.
I've read many of the comments of those who posted before me, and I see that many of you think you have the right to be fat and lazy. You may be proud of your choices, but everyone else is dissapointed in you. Obesity is detrimental to society, and it drags down everyone. I took one of my friends in to the hospital for a shattered ankle he incured falling down the stairs. It took him two hours to get service at 10pm at night in a nice hospital that you would't expect to be busy. All the people who were getting serviced before him were overweight and obese people who had come in again and again for diabeties, hernias, joint pain, and respiratory problems. These are problems that probably started as a result of their self inflicted enviornment.
Obesity is an epidemic in America, and noone elsewhere looks at us and sees as a people experiencing freedom to the fullest, they see a bunch of lazy slobs who can't get their lives together.

I'm doing a project in school in debate. You are either pro, or con weither the government should control people who are obese, and help them. I am pro. I think that people should choose what goes into them, but as you can see this has not been working for a lot of people. If they can't get convinced to change their lives, then someone else, bigger than them has to step in. I'm not saying they take away all their food and force them to eat healthier, and force them to go to the gym, but they have to convince them that a healthier life, is necissary. Otherwise, my generation will be fat, and so will my kids. Is that what you want for America? Is that what you want for your kids?

Respond back, so I can show my teacher, really what regular people think about this topic. Just say you are responding back to gordoshe, and say weither you are pro, or con. Thank you, and my teacher will thank you too.

OK. "Gordo-she" I think the government and every other opportunity, such as insurance costs, etc, should be used to reward fit people with healthy habits. I am not for penalizing unfit people as much as for positive reinforcement . Hopefully, your teacher feels the same way :-)

john howard said:
i have to lose 35 pounds before the election :( what should i do.. screw kevin vote for johnny 07[...]