Obesity in United States Obesity Research Paper

Current United States Strategies to Solve the Obesity Problems

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity (1991) explained many strategies that can be used to solve the issues of obesity

. These strategies together were called CARE, which means Communication, Action, Research and Evaluation.

The purpose of these strategies is to focus on giving physical education to all school classes, improving the options of food at the campuses and including low fat and low calorie items at the school events. They also suggest having more vegetables, fruits, non-fat, dairy products and whole grain items at these occasions. CARE strategies also emphasize that facilities should be provided to all the people for physical activity, everywhere, even at the work sites.

This plan further focuses that people of United States must reduce their television watching timings and should also change their behvaiour towards the obese people. Research on biological and behavioral causes of the obesity should be increased including focus towards the treatment and prevention of obesity. CARE aims to guide the health care providers and professional students on the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Possible Solutions of the Obesity Problems

According to Krugmen and Wells (2006, p.16), "When markets don't achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve society's welfare." Obesity is also an important issue which needs government's attention. Governments can play an important role in promoting better health to its people. For instance, they can help people in changing their life style by making new healthy options available to them or by working on existing options and making them accessible for the general public. Another alternative is to educate people and inform them about the healthy diet and its benefits, although this idea is expensive and it is difficult to convey the message. Another approach can be through regulations but it will then have an impact on all the consumers, therefore has high political and welfare costs. Moreover, it is also very difficult to organize and enforce it; it is a complex process, having an enforcement cost along with having conflicts with the industries.

The responsibility of solving the obesity issue is not only on the shoulders of government but private sector and employers must also play their role. These include the pharmaceutical companies, food industry and beverages industry. Furthermore, sports companies can also play positive role.

Governments are in a sense also dependent on the food and beverage industry and expect them to change the formulation of the food production in order to avoid the unhealthy ingredients, which include salts and fats. The size of the meals can also be reduced and healthy food should be provided. Promotion offers and advertising should be limited so that children and youth do not get attracted too much towards eating. Indeed focus should be given in the advertisements about concentrating on the ingredients of the food and beverages. Similarly as the cigarette makers also warn at the end of the advertisements that smoking is injurious to health (Mankiw, 2012, p.72).

Conclusion

Obesity cannot be reduced or removed in United States with the help of a magic sword. Its removal needs continuous education of people and change in life style along with proper education which guides people about its consequences. Government and private sector of United States should work together to take out Americans from this life threatening disease which is spreading day and by day without people being aware of its consequences.

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Centers for Disease Control and…