Body Mass Index
Obesity is the state where a person has extra body weight from the muscle fat, bone and/ or water. The most common measure of obesity is body mass index which is based on the height and weight of individuals. This body mass index (BMI) is used to measure obesity in adults, teens, and children (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 2009).
Analyzing the testimony given by the Grocery Manufacture of America we realize that GMA are not accepting responsibility of obesity in America and they attribute the blame mostly to the public and the ultimate consumers who makes decision on their eating habits. GMA testifies that placing bans and taxes will not solve the problem of obesity but this issue requires a multidisciplinary approach to all the stake holders (GMA 2009). Their argument portrays that the issue of restrictions will not influence the teachers, students and the community to take a step in improving their health. GMA argues that restrictions will not work and what is needed is education to the citizens on how to maintain a health lifestyle and observe good diet.
GMA are arguing that restricting student from unhealthy food will not solve the problem of obesity because this will neither educate nor empower them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Supporting their argument they give the importance of physical and nutrition education. They shift part of the blame to lack of physical exercise claiming that it has been on the decline for the last twenty years. They put it that about 50 percent of elementary schools does not have physical education teachers (GMA, 2009).
From this testimony I have the opinion that the issue of obesity cannot be blamed on the industry alone but the blame should fall in all stake holders. The burden of responsibility should fall on both the consumer and the industry.
The industry should act responsibly and produce healthy products. This is because the consumer does not always have full information on the healthy status of the product in the market. The major cause of obesity is when individuals take more energy calories than they lose in their bodies (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 2009).This shows that the manufactures should use expertise knowledge on the amount of calories that should be included in a given product. The industry should realize that they should follow manufacturing ethics in their products and this will result into a sustainable market in future. I am in support for the GMA to be socially responsible and come up with programs to educate and provide other social amenities in fighting the epidemic.
The consumer also have a role to play, first consumers should be able to make responsible decision on their eating habits. They should take initiatives in adopting a healthy feeding lifestyle (Betty, 1998). This is because they are the key decision makers and the victims of their own actions. It is the responsibility of the parents and teachers to give nutritional advice to the children. Consumers should take the initiative to visit nutritionist and get advice on their diets. Bearing in mind that they are other causes of obesity such as; physical inactivity, smoking, environment, family history and drugs. Consumers should get more information on these causes and be able to make wise decisions on their health.
It is a social crime to offer food variety that does not conform to health standards and leave the consumer to make choice. This is because consumers do not always have information to make the correct decision. The government has a responsibility to vet the type of foods which are in the market for consumers.
The control of foods available in the market limits the consumer freedom of choice. It also hinders the manufactures creativity and innovation but that does not outweigh the benefits from this action. The market control will be able to give the consumer healthy foods which will in turn improve their healthy status. When a country has healthy citizens it reduces medical expenses and the workforce is more productive. My opinion on the above issue is that control measures to restrict the industry are a step forward in controlling obesity.
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