Research Paper on "Sugar Obesity"

Research Paper 6 pages (2322 words) Sources: 1+ Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

IX. Schools

Many children, either by necessity or choice, eat the lunches that are offered from the school cafeteria and buy products from vending machines and other salable locations within the schools themselves. The food that is served in these institutions is not part of a healthy diet. The implications of schools not setting standards for healthy foods are twofold. First of all, if a child eats unhealthy foods in a school then this contributes to obesity; at least in a marginal way but could add up in a cumulative fashion throughout the course of a child's education. However, even more importantly there is a missed opportunity to teach children how to eat more healthy foods.

In some jurisdictions, schools have banned any beverage containing high amounts of artificial sugars such as carbonated soft drinks. Some schools have reevaluated their approach to nutrition and have enacted measures to correct these injustices to children. For example, the American Beverage Association in Washington has called for a voluntary ban on many non-nutritious beverages; under the new policy, elementary schools will only sell water and 100% juice; middle schools will serve nutritious/low-calorie drinks such as water, 100% juice, sports drinks, calorie-free soft drinks and juice; and in high schools, no more than 50% of the vended beverages will be soft drinks (Chater, 2005).

X. Obesity

Poor eating habits and lack of exercise are the two primary factors that contribute to childhood as well as adult obesity. Some of the other factors that also are part of the problem are environmental, as well as some genetic predispositions that might put some people in a position of greater risk for obesity. People on average are now consuming more foods that are high in calories because they include ingredients that have been prepared with processed sugars such as HFCS. As a result, this has led to many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Many of these conditions can lead to symptoms that include blindness, neuropathy (nerve damage), and even kidney failure in some extreme cases. The ideal model of obesity treatment is a comprehensive intervention including dietary, activity-related, behavioral, pharmacological, and/or surgical components that is geared toward individual needs, similar to the ideal treatment for diabetes; however, the main focus of any obesity intervention should be on health improvement instead of just body weight reduction (Kazaks & Stern, 2003).

IV. Conclusion

The rates of obesity are alarming to say the least. The case can certainly be made in which there should be increased policies and regulations implemented to help prevent obesity, especially in children. Much of the obesity rates can be explained by physical, social and economic environment in which people live; mainly unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. Although there have been many campaigns to promote the advantages of a healthy diet and the benefits of exercise, these campaigns fall short of addressing the root of the problem. Many people who live in poverty cannot afford to eat healthier even if they wanted to because, ironically, it is more expensive to eat healthy than to consume prepackaged and mass produced food items.

This justifies the government taking a lead in an effort to mitigate this epidemic. One available policy measure is to apply a tax to unhealthy consumer foods, such as was used to curb smoking rates. Given the gravity of the situation, it is time to act to limit the consumption of sugars and corn syrups and any further delay could literally cost millions in health care related costs as well as the individual's well-being that live with obesity. The idea is that the cost of an unhealthy lifestyle takes a toll on the whole society. Many people who have obesity related diseases drive up the price of the entire healthcare system. So similarly to smoking, those who chose to live an unhealthy lifestyle should pay a premium for this choice. The tax revenue can then be used to support public benefits that can come from investments in education among other items. However, under the current system, there is actually a financial incentive to be unhealthy and this system needs to be modified quickly.

Works Cited

Chater, A. (2005). Bubbling Controversy. Supermarket News, 29.

CQ Researcher. (2012). Sugar Controversies. Sage.

Grynbaum, M. (2012, July 24). Strong Words From Both Sides at Soda Ban Hearing. Retrieved from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/nyregion/at-hearing-on-soda-ban-strong-words-both-sides.html

Kazaks, A., & Stern, J. (2003). Obesity treatments and controversies. Diabetes Spectrum, 231-235.

Reimer, S. (2012, January 12). Soda ban has New Yorkers in a fizzy. Retrieved from The Baltimore Sun: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-06-11/news/bs-ed-reimer-bloomberg-20120607_1_soda-ban-bucket-list-new-yorkers

Western Farm Press. (2011). Corn refiners say sugar industry creating false controversy. Corn Refiners… READ MORE

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