$500 Million to fight obesity?

[Niels Bohr 72]

More money to fight over weight children. Isn't the best way to fight obesity is with diet and excercise? In Cambodia, I hardly see any fat woman and children. If they do, then it's like less than 1% of the population that is obese.

Now, give me your thoughts on why and why not this money should be spent.

$500 Million Pledged to Fight Childhood Obesity

[Dr_LHA 3]

What do you suggest should be done instead? If nothing is done, then the obesity epidemic will continue to get worse. Sure the answer is simple, "eat less, get exercise". However its clear that people arn't doing that, and its causing a huge load on the health system.

So, to stop obesity you need to educate people and have programs that promote healthy eating and exercise. Programs cost money, hence the $500 million budget.

Also, the money comes from a private foundation, not the goverment. What's not to like?

Edited April 4, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[Niels Bohr 72]

That kinda give a consensus that the majority are ...." bonklers ".....Hmm...Even I know that diet and exercise is the way to not be fat. Education, I wonder if that is even necessary. LOL

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Many of those children are poor and live in neighborhoods where outdoor play is unsafe and access to fresh fruits and vegetables is limited. “In many cases, the environment makes it almost impossible for them to choose healthy lifestyles,” Dr. Lavizzo-Mourey said. “We’re going to try to change that.”

The foundation plans to invest in programs to improve access to healthy food, encourage the development of safe play spaces, increase research to enhance understanding of obesity and prod governments into adopting policies to address the problem, among other things.

*above quoted from the article*

I think it would only be a good thing. *Of course* diet and exercise are the cures....but every day people smoke, drink too much, eat bad foods, etc. etc. ETC. What people SHOULD do and what they DO do are often very different things...and there is funding for most other things...even if it's just for awareness programs and the like...so...why not obesity? I say HURRAH! M.

[Dr_LHA 3]

That kinda give a consensus that the majority are ...." bonklers ".....Hmm...Even I know that diet and exercise is the way to not be fat. Education, I wonder if that is even necessary. LOL

Its clearly necessary because people are getting morbidly obese in ever increasing numbers.

BTW - "bonklers"?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well it's private (not public) money, so it can be dispersed as the trustees of that foundation see fit.

One of the things that should be addressed is the targeting of junk food ad for kids. Hard to promote healthy lifestyles at a young age when companies are spending millions of $ marketing hi-fat/hi-sugar HFCS loaded #######.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I know what my son should and shouldn't do for instance...I've had to start limiting him because I wasn't watching closely enough. He's FAR from "obese" but he's got a little bit of a belly started..and I want to nip it in the bud...it's not healthy. Luckily, Babe Ruth and soccer season are coming up...he always drops that 10lbs or so then...so that will help.

As with most kids...I should say a LOT of kids...nowdays--too much time spent playing Playstation!

I think this is terrific that they're doing it...and, as dr. Lha says...if it's a private foundation(didn't read the article closely enough I guess, though I did read it) ALL the better...GREAT! M.

ETA: SOOOO agree on the junk food commercials!!!

Edited April 4, 2007 by MichelleandCraig

[Dr_LHA 3]

Indeed. The promotion of multicoloured sugary ####### to children is amazing in the USA. Cutting out fast food advertising to kids would go a long way towards cutting down obesity, however it will never happen in this country.

[Niels Bohr 72]

There will probably be less McDonalds, and Burger King in the future.

[The Molinas 0]

More PE lessons in school, healthy food in cafeterias, health classes would help...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Indeed. The promotion of multicoloured sugary ####### to children is amazing in the USA. Cutting out fast food advertising to kids would go a long way towards cutting down obesity, however it will never happen in this country.

That's a big special interest - Coca Cola for example would throw a fruit-loop if they weren't allowed to advertise sugar-loaded, diabetes inducing drinks that can dissolve pennies and small pieces of meat.

The same should also be done with the advertising of prescription drugs. What is the point other than to get people to self-medicate?

[MichelleandCraig 1]

In all the schools here in town (and in a lot of schools I've heard) they have at LEAST finally gotten rid of all the junk food machines and all of the soda machines....Corey can only get water at school. Some of it is powerade or lemon flavored water or something...but much better than soda...a step in the right direction, at least. M.

[Otto 83]

You know... It's easy to blame Corporate-America (or Global Corporations) for people's woes..but in reality, it's the people who demand 72oz Double Gulps and Jumbo Portions at the drive through.

When the people change (as they have in many cases), corporations typically respond (as they have in many cases). Example: Walk into a McDonald's and look at the menu.. OK, they have most of the original stuff, but also have a lot of healthy choices as well (grilled items, salads that are actually edible, and even fruit - real fruit) - depending on where you live, you might see wraps, and who knows what else..so if the People ask, People usually get.

As for the $500M - am not sure what that will buy. Guess we'll just wait and see.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You know... It's easy to blame Corporate-America (or Global Corporations) for people's woes..but in reality, it's the people who demand 72oz Double Gulps and Jumbo Portions at the drive through.

When the people change (as they have in many cases), corporations typically respond (as they have in many cases). Example: Walk into a McDonald's and look at the menu.. OK, they have most of the original stuff, but also have a lot of healthy choices as well (grilled items, salads that are actually edible, and even fruit - real fruit) - depending on where you live, you might see wraps, and who knows what else..so if the People ask, People usually get.

As for the $500M - am not sure what that will buy. Guess we'll just wait and see.

I think McDonalds had to change - they got a lot of bad press relating to that Supersize Me movie.

Cutting out the promotion of junk food - rather the specific targetted advertising of those products for kids would be a good start. Had to get into healthy habits when you're surrounded by rubbish - of course parents have a responsibility to encourage their kids to get into sports and eat healthier.

[Dr_LHA 3]

You know... It's easy to blame Corporate-America (or Global Corporations) for people's woes..but in reality, it's the people who demand 72oz Double Gulps and Jumbo Portions at the drive through.

Its easy to blame them when school dinners in schools are sponsored and provided by fast food chains. When my wife was in school they had Pizza Hut pizza and Burger King burgers. I think what the UK is doing with school dinners (and specifically Jamie Oliver) is a step in the right direction. Kids need to eat healthy.