Government policies and the obesity epidemic in America

¶ … Food and Policy

Discuss the Issue being Reported

In the last several decades the obesity crisis has reached epidemic proportions. Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than a recent study conducted by the Trust for America's Health, which found that 119 million adults or 65% of the U.S. adult population is obese. ( "F as in Fat" 2007) This is troubling because, it shows how various efforts by the state and federal governments to address the issue are grossly inadequate. The reason why these numbers are rising dramatically would include: poor diet, the lack of exercise and not receiving enough sleep. Poor diet is the result of the fast food lifestyle that many American enjoy. (Himba 2010) Where, large numbers of people will eat at fast food restaurants; that are known for serving foods containing large amounts of fat. This causes the body to intake more calories, helping to contribute to increased weight levels. The lack of exercise is the result of a variety of innovations that are making people more sedentary to include: television, video games and movies on demand. These different elements are causing more people to remain inside, versus outdoors participating in physical activity. Not receiving enough sleep is the result of increased amounts of stress. Where, the contestant pressure to get ahead, will causes large numbers of people to receive less sleep than is required. This will cause changes in the release of hormones into the body, as an additional amount is released to compensate for the lack of sleep. At which point, appetite levels will increase, which means that someone will more than likely over eat. What all of this shows, is that the obesity epidemic is the combination of a number of different factors that are contributing to the problem. Until the government can begin introducing policies to address these issues, it is more than likely that the obesity rates will continue to remain high. As the sedentary lifestyle and the culture that supports it: will continue to affect the majority of the population. (Himba 2010)

Describe the Way in which the Issue is being Reported

The issue is being reported as a major health crisis that will have long-term implications on the country. During these reports, the high statistics and the total amounts of obesity are usually highlighted. At which point, the focus will shift on the total effect that obesity will have on the different groups within the population. A good example of this can be seen with recent story by the CBS Evening News, which highlighted the overall scope of the problem in children and teenagers. The focus would change, by making a prediction about how many these children / adolescents will face diabetes and heart disease, when they are in their 30's / 40's. This is significant, because it shows how the problem is being reported from an alarmist point-of-view. Where, the intention is to highlight the disturbing trend and what the possible effects will be. The way the issue is being reported, is having little effect on mitigating the problem, as the total number of cases is only continues to rise. (Doane 2010)