Controlling Food Consumption: Why Waste Our Time?

Here is a scenario to consider: a person is scrolling through channels while watching television, and they come across a food cooking show called The Chew. They have never seen the show before, so they curiously watch it. The chef and the host of the show were chatting about children eating healthy and how one in three kids in America will grow up to be obese if food consumption patterns do not start changing now. It is not until ironically after the show breaks for commercial that the first one that comes on is one for Pringles. With advertisements like this one consistently being thrown in Americans faces, it is no wonder that some Americans have no sense of what kinds of foods they should be eating, and how much. This being the case, it is necessary for the American government to have more control over food consumption. In understanding this claim it is important to first look at how obesity, type two diabetes, and other health related conditions are on the rise in America. Next, to solve these problems, it is necessary to take a look at what kinds of actions our government can take to help control food consumption.

Obesity rates increasing throughout the years

Obesity rates and a rise in type II diabetes in this country is a problem that has been going on for decades. There has been a 214% increase in overweight and obese people in America since 1950, and currently one in three kids in America is obese. But why is there such an increase in obesity in America? One answer might be because children and adults alike are eating more and exercising less, causing leftover calories to be stored as fat. A lot of children do not play outside like they use to, due to indoor technology, causing them to want to eat more snacks after school while they are playing a video game or watching TV. This is even more of a problem because during the day, when children are at school, lunch options for them are often times consisting of processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Also in that same article, Cory Schreiber, Culinary Instructor at The Art Institute of Portland says that “healthier changes in school lunches should be put in place by our government with a federal Nutrition Program.”

Food companies that regulate food supply in America

The American government has put in place numerous programs to help regulate food supply. However, the methods the government and schools use to appeal to their audience; the American people as a whole but more specifically mothers of young children, are not being used as effectively as they should be. Also, proper labeling of all food and beverage sources, research done to reveal the effects of advertising in one’s decision making process regarding food and beverages, and the programs put in place to help hinder children from becoming overweight and obese, all need to be funded for properly. The money is available for these programs, it just needs to be put to good use which will happen if it is managed correctly so that it is put in the right areas.

The urgency of this issue is seen through the statistics presented. Daily, advertisements present Americans with beverages and food options that are unhealthy. Whether it is recognized and realized or not, the food industry has a hold on the American population as a whole, therefore government regulations are needed so that the government can have more control over food consumption.