I have just come to a conclusion.
There are no facts to back it, I don't know if it's possible or plausible. The idea popped into my head and it seems logical in the moment so I am going to publish it for the world to see. Why not!?
America's "obesity epidemic" has been the talk of the town for a while now. We are getting fatter! Now that it has come to our attention the government and everyone is trying to find a way to stop (and reverse) it. Our attention turned to New York as they looking into passing laws limiting the sugar in food (I believe it had to do with soda... but it could have also been candy or food in general and I don't know exactly what came of the proposals... Like I said I haven't done my research...). My dad sent me an article (a while ago but I just sort of looked through it today) talking about the role the government should play in fighting obesity.
The ways I have heard of the government fighting obesity, similar to New York, is taxing or trying to regulate unhealthy foods. This is where my idea comes into play.
Instead of banning or limiting the unhealthy food out there (since indulging and eating unhealthy food in moderation isn't necessarily that bad for you) the government should try to help make healthy food more accessible and affordable. As a college student, it would be great to have a fridge filled with fresh produce and healthy snacks but when a green pepper cost $3 at my local grocery store it's just not possible. When I look at healthy foods in the store they always seems more expensive.
Being healthy is hard!! I worked out today but I can't say I work out as much as a should... I try to eat fruits and veggies but it's expensive! (and fries and pizza might taste goodddd....) But the government telling me what foods I CAN'T eat isn't going to make me make the healthy choice. Stubborn me is simply going to find other unhealthy foods to eat and add another teaspoon of sugar to my soda.
Right now, my view on how the government should deal with the "issue of obesity" would be to help us be able to more easily live a healthy life! I am thinking something along the lines of helping make fruit and vegetables and other healthy food easier for us to eat (but I will give them creative ability on this one).
Maybe I will actually do real research on this topic, (since it is interesting!) and write an educated post... But for now... :)
Wow, you blogged a lot and I didn't even notice!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with this. I want to be healthy but it is such an EFFORT that goes into it all. And if it was even remotely easier and more accessible for me, I'd probably be more successful at the whole "being healthy" thing.