It is clear that weight loss is not simple, and so, a nutritionist must understand this when dealing with patients, so they can help motivate them, create enough diversity in the diet to make the patients happy, and still promote weight loss and better health.
Our society is obsessed with thinness, and yet, more people are overweight than ever. Clearly, the lifestyle of the nation needs to be modified. Retailers and restaurants can help by providing healthier choices on their menus. Schools can help by creating healthier cafeteria choices, and beginning nutritional education at a young age. Parents can help by promoting a healthier lifestyle for the entire family, and health care professionals and researchers can help by discovering new ways to manage and treat obesity in children and adults. If all facets of society work together, it seems that people would become healthier and happier as a result. It is not easy to be overweight, and for children, it is even more difficult because of teasing, bullying, and generally being "different." Time reporter Wallis writes, "Being an overweight kid is often painful. Other kids can be cruel; even teachers can be biased" (Wallis). Thus, promoting a healthier lifestyle can promote self-esteem and a healthier self-image, too.
Parents, schools, and food manufacturers can all help fight obesity in America's children. Proper nutrition is key to a healthy lifestyle, and if educating children about healthy eating habits and exercise begins at a young age, then more children will understand the benefits of healthy eating, exercise, and maintaining a proper weight.
References
Editors. "Childhood Obesity." Obesity.org. 10 Nov. 2004. 15 Nov. 2004. http://www.obesity.org/subs/childhood/
Hamin, Mark T. Weighty Issues: Fatness and Thinness as Social Problems. Eds. Sobal, Jeffery and Donna Maurer. New York: Aldine De Gruyter, 1999. 68-73.
Lemonick, Michael D. "Nickelodeon Turn-off Time." Time Magazine. 7 June, 2004.
Sobal, Jeffery and Donna Maurer, eds. Weighty Issues: Fatness and Thinness as Social Problems. New York: Aldine De Gruyter, 1999.
Wallis, Claudia. "Word to Parents." Time Magazine. 7 June, 2004.
Yeoman, Barry. "Is the U.S. Government Making Children Fat? By Asking Different Questions, a Journalist Connects Farm Policies to Childhood Obesity." Nieman Reports Spring 2003: 30+.
