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The causes of obesity
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High calorie treats are everywhere you look.
Is obesity caused by environmental factors or a lack of personal responsibility?
In this obesity article, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asserts that within the agency during his tenure there was disagreement over whether people could adopt proper eating habits on their own, or whether drastic regulation would be required.
If obesity is caused by factors beyond the individual's control, then government could justify forcing the food and beverage industries to change their products and marketing practices. If individuals are in control, government mandates become a harder sale.
Both of these arguments have merit.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, we live in an “obesogenic” society. That means America is actually Fat City. Our culture and environment encourage obesity. The statistics back this up. In 1990, no states had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 15%. In 2008, only one state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%!
On the other hand, it’s undeniably that the choice of what and how much to eat is entirely within every individual’s control. What’s more, some argue, government policies aimed at changing eating behavior are ineffective. They can point to New York for proof.
10/6/09 New York Times article
In 2008, New York passed a law requiring some food sellers to post calorie counts for items on their menus. Based on a recent review of the sales receipts, customers actually purchased more calories than before the law. According to Men’s Fitness, Minneapolis ranks third in fitness. We have “snack tax” laws to combat obesity, but received a D+ grade in the “junk food” category.
So, when it comes to obesity, whose fault is it? Society’s? Or the individual’s?
• Food and beverage marketers have a right—even a duty—to maximize their profits.
• Loading products with high fructose corn syrup and supersizing portions are effective sales strategies
• In a culture based on speed and convenience, the fact that the majority of items for sale at most grocery stores and fast food restaurants are high in calories will continue to result in a heavier and sicker populace
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