Obesity & Weight Management is a Social Issue

Author: R.G. Srinivasan

Article source: http://www.obesity.org/. Used with author's permission.

Much has been written about obesity and globesity. Obesity is perhaps the biggest drain on any nations economic resources with a mind-boggling costs to which researchers are yet to put a final figure. But the estimates run into trillions of dollars across the world.

Governments across the world is mired in deep bureaucratic mechanisms to do anything more than put out food guidelines. Even this does not reach the intended public.

The issue needs to be tackled massively by the society that has spawned the problem in the first place.

So what are the social alternatives?

Dissemination of Information

This perhaps could be biggest tool to use against the fight for obesity control. Every institution from schools and collages to corporate have to disseminate, nay flood their audience with information on obesity and weight control, its evils, cost to individuals and food guidelines to control obesity. The stakes now are too high for everyone for the issue to be left to government alone to tackle.

Social Boycott of Fast food joints

A massive campaign especially aimed at the youth on the perils of a fast food culture and how it is eating into the very vitals of a healthy society. The campaign may include 'No Fast Food' days, creation of nutritional communities and clubs that actively protest the opening of new fast food joints in the local community. Nutritional communities may bring pressure on the fast food companies to put out nutritional information on the food they serve.

Promote Physical Activities

Every one especially children must be educated on the benefits of increased physical activities. The computer and television has been a major inhibitor of good health among children and adults alike. The community should raise funds to promote physical culture events and create awareness through public interest advertising.

Lobby the Government

There should be an effective lobbying to legislate laws against fast food and junk food companies, carbonated drinks and beverages that promote high calorie junk full of toxic chemicals disguised as fruit juices.

Promote Health foods and herbal nutrition

Traditionally herbal food supplements have less cause to create trouble. Increase awareness about Herbal food items and herbal nutritional supplements that promote physical wellness, build immunity and helps in reducing body fat. Awareness of the health effects and the bio friendly nature of herbal food supplements would definitely help in combating the problem largely.

Its time for the society to act to control the menace of obesity, take responsibility so that our future generations may lead a better and more qualitative life and enjoy the fruits of all the modern scientific developments.