Annotated Bibliography

"Government Calls Time on Obesity." Proxy Login - University Libraries - USC. Web News Wire, 17 Oct. 2011. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. <http://galenet.galegroup.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d>.

This particular article does not originate from the United States, as I expected. Rather, it is an example that obesity is in fact a global epidemic. The data and opinions originate from England, which is also suffering from the same troubles as the United States. However, it does not place the blame on the government. Instead, it calls for people to take responsibility for their own actions, citing data and facts to support their beliefs. The article is not objective because it is an opinion. However, I believe this makes it more valuable. I will be able to use it as a viewpoint in my paper as a result. The interest of the article is for the general public, who is also the audience. I learned from this article that obesity is also a problem in other countries, thus qualifying this as a global issue.

 

 

Massachussetts: Food reform to fight obesity. US Official News, 2011. Print.

 Harvard University of Massachusetts issued a press release regarding food reform in Massachusetts. The article summarizes how the government is rather than solving the obesity epidemic of America, it is stimulating it. By funding the food stamp program, the authors claim that the United States government is allowing American consumers to purchase cheaper, nutrition-lacking foods. Meanwhile, the prices of organic healthy foods and fresh produce remain expensive. Therefore, the author aims blame at the government, suggesting it is their responsibility to correct the obesity problem. This particular source is very valuable due to the credentials of its contributors, including doctors from the Harvard School of Public Health. However, there is a bias present because the government's viewpoint is not represented.

"Kansas Receives USDA Grants to Help Alleviate Obesity, Promote Healthy Eating And Physical Activity." Targeted News Service (TNS). Athena Information Solutions Pvt. Ltd, 1 Nov. 2011. Web. 6 Nov. 2011. <http://galenet.galegroup.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d&origSearch=true&rlt=2&bucket=per&o=&n=10&searchTerm=2NTA&l=d&index=BA&basicSearchOption=KE&tcit=0_1_0_1_0_1&c=1&docNum=A271331208&locID=usclibs&secondary=false&t=RK&s=1&SU=Government+Obesity>.

The Kansas State Department of Education currently released a news announcement concerning federal action targeting childhood obesity in public schools. Coming from the state's government itself, it is extremely reliable and official information, as well as very current. The news was released exactly one week ago. The article announces new funds aimed at developing healthy and nutritional habits in children, and fueling this education at a young age. The information is presented in a brief announcement, in an informative form, presented to the audience that is citizens of the state of Kansas.The author is arguing the federal action is being taken that will most likely improve youth health habits in the future. However, the article is lacking in the sense that it is slightly biased; it does not show the viewpoint of those who may oppose the increased federal funds into modifying personal behavior. However, the source is valuable as it is evidence that federal action can and has been taken to an increasing extent across the nation, and will serve as supportive evidence in my exploratory essay.

"Obesity The New Frontier of Public Health Law--%u300A%u65B0%u82F1%u683C%u5170%u533B%u836F%u6742%u5FD7%u300B." %u533B%u5B66%u671F%u520A%u9891%u9053--%u9996%u5E2D%u533B%u5B66%u7F51. Harvard School of Public Health. Web. 06 Nov. 2011. <http://journal.9med.net/qikan/article.php?id=221816>.

The above source originates from a medical journal entry by multiple credited and qualified doctors. The contributors listed before the writing all have listed credentials after their name, including Ph. D. Also, the entry itself originates from the Harvard School of Public Health, obviously academically and medically credible. The journal explains in a very wide scope how the government may act against obesity and in which ways. Also, it describes the conflict with government action with the food industry and even citizens. The journal entry is not necessarily an argument. Rather than taking a stance, it describes both sides and view points of the dilemma. Therefore, there is no obvious bias. The journal is aimed at the American public, as an informative piece depicting recent happenings with federal action and the obesity health problem. Because of its wide scope and informatory characteristics, this medical journal entry is extremely valuable to my research process. It provides much information with little bias, and presents multiple viewpoints from different groups of people.

"Your Obesity Hurts the Government." Proxy Login - University Libraries - USC. Mint (New Delhi, India), 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2011. <http://galenet.galegroup.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d>.

An international writer conveys his views and information on the possibility of extensive government action on the issue of obesity in an online news source called “Live Mint”, associated with the Wall Street Journal. The author describes international action on the issue of obesity, particularly in the form of a fat tax exhibited by foreign countries such as Denmark. The argument made in the article is aimed at a politically-interested audience. Although slightly unclear, the author appears to argue that the government is acting too “big brother” and infringing upon citizens right to make their own choices. However, he does present the author side of the argument, describing the negative ideas and judgements associated with obesity. Some bias may originate in the failure on the author's part to include potential positive effects that may come from a “fat tax” or other form of government action. The article is extremely valuable because it provides several facts and instances of how obesity is clashing with the government internationally, that will serve as useful evidence for multiple viewpoints in my essay.

"UK Govt Guidelines Say Even Babies Should Exercise - Indian Express." The Indian Express: Latest News, Breaking News Live, Current Headlines, India News Online. British Government Associated Press, 12 July 2011. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://www.indianexpress.com/news/uk-govt-guidelines-say-even-babies-should-exercise/816065>.

The following news release, produced by the British Government Associated Press, was published in a mainstream Indian news source, Indian Express. The news release announces current government issued guidelines for the public, released just this past summer. The targeted audience includes all citizens under UK jurisdiction. The press is making the argument that the public people should follow their new guidelines in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It shows that international governments are taking indirect action in the fight against obesity. They are not telling the people what to do, but rather are suggesting. The article is lacking because it is merely a news announcement, it does not depict the public's response to the guidelines or their effectiveness. The value of such a news source lies in its purpose as evidence of indirect government action, therefore that a firmer government stance is yet to come or rejected.

Marlow, Michael L., and Alden F. Shiers. "Optimal Weight: Are Government Goals for Reducing Obesity Sensible?" Proxy Login - University Libraries - USC. Regulation, July 2011. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://galenet.galegroup.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d>.

Authors Marlow and Shiers in their long human health article analyze the causes and effects of obesity, and analyze various methods of government intervention with it. They describe the problem, or even epidemic as they say it is now being called, at its roots. Then, after describing various ways of solving the problem authoritatively, describe their effectiveness. They argue that some forms of supposed government solutions are ineffective and revolution must be made to the health-concerned public that is their audience. Although they are extremely informative, credible, and valuable information presenters, the authors fail to provide perspective from the consumer's point of view, or people suffering from obesity themselves. However, I believe this will be the most important source to my assignment. Enough informational scope is provided to allow me to understand the issue more in depth, and more direct government action is illustrated.

Liow. "Compulsory For Teachers To Record Body Mass Index Of Students." Proxy Login - University Libraries - USC. Malaysian Government News, 18 Apr. 2011. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://galenet.galegroup.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d>

The above source is another example of international government action against obesity, but in a more drastic and aggressive way. Malaysian Government News, an official and current source of information, reported last Spring that the government was taking a harsher and firmer stance against obesity and poor nutrition after recent declining health findings. One of these specific actions includes the mandatory recording of each child's Body Mass Index by their educators, and to share this information and discuss it with the parents. The news informs Malaysian citizens, as well as the rest of the world, that poor health will not be tolerated by the Malaysian government. This will prove a good addition to my paper because it describes a drastic and extreme government action that is occurring internationally, and may violate personal rights if similar measures were applied to different nations.