The
recent actions by Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago to ban certain popular vending
machine items and Mayor Bloomberg of New York to limit the size of soft drinks
has kindled the debate over the limits of government intervention in public and
private health. Lost in the political and legal debate of these actions is the
even more fundamental philosophical and ethical debate. Where does government
intervention for the public good stop and the Nanny State begin? Based
on current knowledge, the issue of isolated obesity does not warrant
governmental intervention in the diet decisions of the adult individual, and
government should serve primarily an educational role for minors and their
parents.
Malnutrition can be under-nutrition or over-nutrition. Statistics show a
definite correlation between obesity and health issues, but the direct cause
and effect may not be as dramatic as previously believed. That is not to say
that malnutrition is not a concern. “You are what you eat,” is an old but
accurate adage. If you eat healthy foods, you are more likely to be able to
live a healthy lifestyle. Making good food choices
is key to every healthy life style. With terrible food choices all around, it
is hard to make the right ones constantly.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is common,
serious, and costly to deal with. More than one-third
(35.7%) of adults of the United States are considered to be obese. Not only are
you worried about your weight; you also need to be worried about your health.
“Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and
certain types of cancer.” Along with acquiring health problems, you have increases
of medical cost. In 2008, obese people were estimated to pay about $1,429 more
than someone who was of normal weight, and overall U.S. medical costs
associated with obesity were estimated to be at $147 billion (CDC).
Although, the United States belt sizes are expanding, is it really right for
others to intervene?
(Governments
point …. Obama care and government care is tax payer supported therefore we can
for the good of the village tell you what to eat and going forward ban food we
think is unhealthy for you and even withdraw healthcare if you continue to
violate our directives)
Does
the government have such powers granted to them by the constitution to mandate
health care and diet and restrictions against private business to sell us the
food we want? Can pig farmers be restricted because bacon makes some people
fat?
Can
milk producers and dairies be stopped making BLUE BELL!!!??
Aw come on! They can't take away the Blue Bell!
ReplyDeleteI do not necessarily think that the government should have the ability to determine what types and how much food we consume, but I do believe something should be done. America is well-known for over-consumption, and although as Americans we have a right to choose our lifestyles, many people do not make the best choices when left to their own devices. Obesity is a major problem in the United States, partially due to the availability of mass quantities of unhealthy food, and I think some regulations may not be such a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, it is said that our portions are much larger when compared with the amounts of food consumed in one sitting in other areas of the world. Also, it is far less expensive to go to a drive-thru and get dollar menu items than it is to buy healthy foods, whether from a restaurant or to cook at home. Although controlling the price of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food options may not be a realistic solution, controlling portion size should not be as difficult.
An issue with obesity that concerns me in particular is the amount of money it will cost taxpayers to cover the health care costs of those who are obese. There are numerous health issues associated with obesity, and with our current health care system, it is their responsibility to pay for those issues. However, when the health care in our country changes, will taxpayers be responsible for covering those costs? And how much more expensive will health care become if those people with obesity related illnesses cannot pay their own medical bills?
Overall, it is up to the individual to control the amounts and types of foods they consume, as it should be. I can only hope that we as individuals can begin making better life choices before government officially deems it necessary to intervene.
I agree with Samantha and Shelby. Food choices should be left to be eaten by the individual not the Government. No where in the constitution have we ever given government the right to control our food nor consumption. They have no place to tell americans how to eat.
ReplyDeleteObesity is an epidemic. Most obese individuals are obese because of unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle. I have seen extremely skinny people eat completely unhealthy, yet they manage to stay fit because of exercise. Furthermore, some people have a genetic anomaly and gain weight very very easy which can lead to obesity. Obesity or being over weight can even happen to vegans, especially if they eat a very high glycemic diet. Also, individuals with injuries often gain weight and can still be healthy.
So my point is, how would the government be able to distinguish a genetic quirk, a high or low metabolism (which can make you larger or smaller), or a healthy diet that causes normal weight gain from one another, or an injury being the cause of weight gain. The fact is, is there is no simple answer and the bottom line is this, they would look at someone obese and judge them based off of size. Not circumstance. Therefore, no one should be able to tell another how to live.
If anything should be done, It should be up to the individual and it always starts with diet and exercise. But no one should be forced, ever.