Should The Government Regulate Junk Food?

Government Regulation is a Must
“The U.S. has the highest rate of obesity in the industrialized world. One-third of Americans over the age of 20 are obese… For children,... 17 percent.” - (Halkett, US Food Industry Battles Against Regulation) There are many opinionated thoughts about the government regulating our food. People don’t like the idea that the government is choosing what the people will eat, while others think that it’s beneficial that the government is setting some rules for the food that goes into their bodies. Government regulation on food will be able to help people resist the junk food that they couldn’t resist on their own. A regulation will lead to a happier and healthier life, you’re happy because your body is healthy from

Kids get attracted to the toys in the fast food advertisements, if the government governs advertisements, they can put toys in healthier meals which can, “...[make] kids...three times more likely to choose healthier meals…” (Nestle, Food Politics) In the article “Food Politics” by Marion Nestle, she writes, “Food and beverage companies invoke the First Amendment to protect their “right” to market junk foods to kids.” Unfortunately, companies have the right to market junk foods to kids, but maybe the government can make those ads have a time limit and make ads promoting healthier meals with toys inside, longer. Menu labeling for fast food is a government regulation and this is good because parents will be informed about what their kids are eating. Many people just eat whatever they think is healthy because they don’t know the calorie and the fat and the sodium content, so they’re not as cautious about eating unhealthily, but once the information about what is really in the foods are distributed, thoughts about whether those foods are worth eating and if there are any other options will surface. Another government regulation that will benefit kids is the prohibition of selling junk food in schools. According to the article by Marion Nestle, “Food Politics,” “...kids living in states where schools don’t sell junk food are not as overweight.” People might counter

“Regulation make it easier for people to eat healthfully without having to think about it.” (Marion Nestle, Food Politics) It’s hard to lose weight with all these junk food ads tempting you. Just telling someone to stop eating the way that they have been their whole life will not make a difference to their diets. It has been stated in the article titled “Food Politics” by Marion Nestle that, “...obesity and its consequences cost our society $190 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity.” These huge portions of food at bargain prices attract a lot of people, things like taxes on sodas and caps on soda size will definitely catch people’s attention as well. Lecia Bushak says in the article “Bye-Bye Sugary Drinks: This Is What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Drinking Soda,” “A 2012 Harvard University study found that sugary drinks increased a person’s risk of chronic heart disease.” By just cutting back to one soda a day, you can decrease your blood pressure along with improve your heart. Of course, there’s also the controversial issue about trans fat, which can lead to a number of health problems. The government wants to eliminate this artery-clogging fat that is in many foods that are popular to the people. Although, do people know that, “...the artery-clogging properties of trans fats can lead to a number of health problems requiring medical care, which can cost