OBESITY

Can Government Policy Reduce Obesity?

Can Government Policy Reduce Obesity?

Introduction

The problem of obesity is spreading worldwide and represents a serious threat to health. While it is believed that obesity is a result of sedentary lifestyles among individuals, the role of the government agencies in curbing it, certainly cannot be ignored. Obesity is defined as unhealthy excess of body fat, which increases the risk of medical illness and premature death. In the United Kingdom, it is considered to be the most widespread pressing nutritional condition prevalent amongst children and adolescents alike. Obesity is a health problem that causes many severe diseases, besides hampering ones normal personal and social activities. It is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, several types of cancer, and other chronic health problems. It is a significant health problem in the United Kingdom. Obesity has reached a level that at which it can be considered as an epidemic worldwide and has now even become a significant problem amongst children and adolescents, alike (French et.al, 2001, pp. 30-36).

Obesity is a widespread phenomenon, especially in America. Adults and children, alike suffer from obesity that has seen them become an object to ridicule amongst their peers. They are subjected to bigotry treatment and suffer from frequent health problems. In 2004, about 6.8 million U.K adults aged 20 to 64 were overweight, while 4.5 million were obese. The same guideline applies to women, but the threshold is 25 per 100 rather than 20 per 100 (CDC, 2006, pp. 1-2). It is estimated that the dramatic increase in overweight and obesity among U.K over the past 30 years is an “epidemic”. Similar trends are emerging around the world: the World Health Organization (WHO), which uses the term "globosity" to describe the growing obesity pandemic, estimates that more than one billion adults accuse overweight and at least 300 million of them obese.

Discussion

The explosion of personal technology at the turn of the 21st century has been attended by increases in sedentary lifestyles and unprecedented levels of obesity in our nation's youth (17% of U.K. children aged 6-19 are obese). In response, physical educators at all levels across the country are again heeding the call to return to the profession's historical roots, which were originally grounded in the fields of medicine and public health. Warning of the health risks associated with the transformation of Britain from a rural-agrarian land to urban-industrial country at the turn of the 19th century, in 1904, observed that the problem is to retain our acquired health, strength, and power under the conditions imposed by modern progress. This advancement has resulted in the fact that it is possible to earn a living at the present time by the use of a very few muscles and faculties (Drake, 1997, pp. 311-4).

Government responses

Obesity is a problem worldwide in 2010 according to the WHO 43 million children under 5 years were overweight. UK studies show that 48% of men and 43% in women will be obese by ...