The Problem 
Obesity is defined as having an excess of body fat. In the past few decades, obesity rates have double in adults and tripled amongst children. Obesity has been linked to several medical conditions including: heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallbladder disease, gallstones, osteoarthritis, gout, breathing problems, asthma and some cancers. We can help save many lives by educating and warning our citizens of the potential dangers of obesity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese[i]. About 60 million people in America are obese compared to 15 percent thirty years ago. Fast food chains are strategically built and placed in locations that are profitable. If this continues, obesity rates will rise among adults and children. According to the American Heart Association, “High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and death rates due to stroke are 38 %[ii]. Many individuals have lost their lives because of an overweight or obesity related issue. “Obesity is associated with 112,000 excess deaths due to cardiovascular disease, over 15,000 excess deaths due to cancer, and over 35,000 excess deaths due to non-cancer/non-cardiovascular disease causes per year in the U.S. population[iii].” In addition, the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. is due to medical bills[iv]. Therefore, it would cost less to pay for healthy foods now than medications later on.
This country deserves healthier citizens that are capable of living long and healthy lives. Preventative measures must be taken in order for this to happen. How can we warn and educate our citizens to make healthier food choices? Is it possible to come up with healthier food alternatives? How can we move towards a healthier tomorrow without losing our culture or identity? Fresh foods should be more accessible and affordable especially in low-income areas.
Policy Options
Policy Option 1: Anti-obesity commercials for adults and children– Broadcasting commercials that take a virtual tour inside the body will make an impact for both adults and children. A 15-30 second commercial could cost anywhere from $200 to $1500 for local spots at noontime[v]. It would be less expensive if each state broadcasts their anti-obesity commercials locally. Broadcasting on networks such as Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and PBS would be ideal to target children. Commercials that cater to children will be significantly less expensive if shown after school rather than after 6pm. “National commercials produced by an advertising agency cost far more, averaging $342,000 for a 30 second spot in 2008, according to the American Association of Advertising Agencies[vi].Many fast food chains advertise during sporting events. For example, Dominos Pizza claims to deliver a freshly made handcrafted pan pizza in 30 minutes or less. This may seem very convenient and inexpensive to your average person. Now, imagine watching a commercial illustrating the negative effects of pizza in the human body immediately afterwards. This could alter the consumers’ decision to eat or purchase an unhealthy meal.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have broadcasted several graphic anti-smoking commercials which have encouraged many people to quit smoking or start using nicotine patches/gum. The goal is to do the same with the anti-obesity commercials; the purpose is to encourage both adults and children to eat healthy.
Policy Option 2: Warning labels on Junk Food– Foods that are high in sugar and/or fat that isn’t good for your health are considered junk food. Food labels have played an important role in identifying the sugars, sodium, and fats each product contains. Most recently, food labels are being changed to reflect actual serving sizes, larger print of calorie counts, and addition labeling changes. There will be a larger emphasis on the added sugar in products. I believe that this initiative will make a positive impact because it will make food labeling easier to read and understand. Children may not understand nutrition labels but most likely recognize warning labels. Warning labels on junk food will be easily identified and make more of an impact than nutritional labels. These labels are to deter both adults and children from consuming an excess of junk food which can lead to obesity and other serious medical conditions.
I propose that in addition to the changing of the Nutrition Facts label, we should add a warning label on junk food. For example, a warning label on soda could read: “Warning: Excess consumption of this beverage contributes to obesity.” If we already put a warning label on cups and lids containing hot beverages such as coffee; then we should also place them on foods and beverages that are unhealthy.
Policy Option 3: Incentives for Food Markets in “food deserts”- According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) a food desert is a community “without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food[vii].” Communities struggle to have access to healthy foods and usually eat from fast food restaurants. This can lead to obesity and serious medical illnesses in food deserts. By creating incentives for fresh food markets the amount of food deserts can be limited and ultimately eliminated. I propose that we offer incentives to large corporations and/or small business that open fresh food markets in areas identified as food deserts. Food deserts can be categorized by zone, if a fresh food market opens up within that zone they are eligible to apply for the incentive on an annual basis. This is a proactive way to address those areas in the United States that don’t have access to healthy foods. A form of subsidy or tax break could be offered to corporations such as Whole Foods that makes it easier and more affordable to purchase fresh and healthy foods in food desert areas. We can encourage non-profit organizations to participate in the fight to end food deserts. An additional option is to work with Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) within those states and offer a discount (10%) on fresh foods for those who use their SNAP benefits.
Policy Option 4: Let’s All Move Initiative –Adding adults and a holiday to the first lady’s (Michelle Obama) Let’s Move initiative. The Let’s Move initiative provides many resources that encourage kids eat healthy and stay active. It teaches kids about nutrition, ways to get active, and provides steps to get started. I propose that we expand the Let’s Move initiative and create an annual holiday: Health Awareness Day. By getting both adults and children involved we can increase health awareness as a whole. Parents and children will be encouraged to get out and do things that benefit their health. We can encourage major television networks, celebrities, and athletes to get involve and show how they are spending their Health Awareness Day. It could be on the first day of spring, it could motivate people to get out and do something active or eat something healthy. They could go to the park and have healthy picnic together or take a trip to the doctor’s office for a routine check up. During Halloween children go out trick or treating and usually end up with pounds of candy. This could be a great opportunity to go out and have nature’s candy. Go to food markets and eat different types of fresh fruits like the dragon fruit (Pitaya). If we already have a holiday for a weather forecasting groundhog; we can implement a day that recognizes the importance of good health. An additional option is to work with Department of Education officials to bring back physical education to schools. This will encourage children to stay active and work as a substantial preventative measure.
Obesity Epidemic Annotated Bibliography
Endnotes
[i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, August 16). Adult Obesity Facts.Retrieved February 12, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
[ii] American Heart Association. (2014, January 8) Obesity and Stroke: What is their connection? Retrieved March 5, 2014, from https://www.heart.org.
[iii] Providence Healthcare Network. Providence Surgical Weight Less Center. Retrieved March 4, 2014, from http://providence.net.
[iv] Mangan, Dan. “Medical Bills Are the Biggest Cause of US Bankruptcies: Study.” CNBC, 25 Jun. 2013. Web. 10 May 2014.
[v] Wagner, Nancy (2014, May 5) How much does television advertising really cost? Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/much-television-advertising-really-cost-58718.html
[vi] IBID
[vii] United Stated Department of Agriculture (2012). Agricultural Marketing Service-CreatingAccess to Healthy, Affordable Food. Retrieved from http://apps.ams.usda.gov/fooddeserts/foodDeserts.aspx