Biology & Society

Who Should Solve America's Obesity Problem?

As old subway cars are replaced and new sport stadiums are built, a trend is obvious. Seats are much larger than they used to be. For example, in the old arena of the Indiana Pacers, seats were 18 inches wide. In the new arena, the smallest seats are 21 inches wide. Advertisers tout that the seats are more comfortable. But the reality is, larger seats are needed because Americans have become fatter.

From the late 1970s to the early 2000s, the percentage of adults in the United States who are obese increased from 15 percent to 32.9 percent. During the same time period, the percentage of adolescents (ages 12 to 19) who are overweight more than tripled, from 5 percent to 17.4 percent. The trend shows no sign of changing.

The causes for what has been called the “obesity epidemic” seem apparent—a lifestyle of high-Calorie diets and lack of exercise. But the solutions are not so obvious. Many state and local governments have tried to gain control of the epidemic by removing high-Calorie foods from schools. Some people support these efforts, but others believe the government is encroaching too closely on personal lives. Should the government play a role in fighting obesity by controlling the foods served in school?

Viewpoints

The Government Must Play a Role Obesity increases the risk of high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, stroke, arthritis, and some cancers. An increase in the rates of these diseases will strain the healthcare system and affect the economy by reducing the number of healthy adults in the workforce.

Overweight children are likely to become obese adults. Schools should play an active role in limiting students' exposure to high-Calorie foods that are not nutritious.

Many schools throughout the country have replaced vending machines that offered soda and other sugary drinks with those that offer only water, milk, or 100 percent juice.

The Government Should Not Play a Role Food choices are a personal decision. Keeping unhealthful foods out of school will not prepare students for making healthful decisions in the real world. Parents and educators should teach children how to make healthful choices, rather than simply controlling their options.

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