Government Policies And Other Influences In Transforming Global Diets

Time for Intervention

Certainly, deciding what to eat is a personal decision. Food industries and food chains offer what works the best for them and they often work on a supply and demand basis. Moreover, the problem arises when the indexes of health problems related to inadequate nutrition in the United States are extremely high and no one seems to care. Although overweight can be caused to factors other than malnutrition, obesity increases the risks of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; diseases that have a severe impacts in individual’s health. Yet, many analysts agree that the government should not intervene or regulate the availability or the marketing of certain foods, arguing that it undermines the importance of

The article “Importance of Government Policies and Other Influences in Transforming Global Diets” states, “obesity has emerged as a major public health concern, primarily in developed countries but also among the growing middle class in middle and low income countries” (Hallam et al 591) . Besides, some of these diseases such as obesity are starting from the early stages of childhood affecting people’s life quality on matters of self-esteem and the development of inadequate food habits. Moreover, kids’ exposure to unhealthy diets along with the sedentary lifestyle of American teenagers contributes to obesity and other consequent problems that may be really difficult to deal with in the future. It is the government’s responsibility to take actions and find the correct ways to guarantee the human right to a healthy life for every single

Unfortunately, young generations are one of the most vulnerable population when it comes to marketing strategies. Accordingly, “children and young adults have been particular targets of marketing that aims to change consumption habits over the long term” and among the methods used the most common are television and web advertising, through special offers and price promotions (Hallam et al 597). Furthermore, commercials promoting unhealthy food do not offer a real insight of what the body is ingesting and how it can negatively influence the human system in the long run. Every food industry must be asked to present a clear description of the components and nutrients, as well as the risks of eating their products on a regular