The issue I will explore for my assignment is the question whether the government should take a more active role in restricting the market of food products that are fueling the obesity epidemic worldwide. The spread of obesity has become a seriously concerning problem primarily in America in recent times, but also around the world. When such an enormous problem is affecting a whole society, some sort of resolution is imperative. This is how a consumer health issue becomes a political issue. Is it the role of the governmental party of a society to have some form of control over products that are causing harm? Or would such control be a violation of citizen’s freedom and liberties?
The issue of obesity concerns the entire public population, a body of people exposed to nutrition-lacking and even potentially unsafe foods on a daily basis. If the government takes more control over the food market, it will affect civilian consumption, and arguably their rights. From what I have read so far, everyday people, businessmen, and government officials have various opinions on the issue. Health activists praise the possibility of new health bills, supporting political protection. The food industry criticizes the pro-health policy with concern with its economic effects. Rights-oriented consumer groups also criticize the government action, citing violation of civil liberties. Many middle-class and government officials support action, and call for welfare program modification, which has been used with taxpayer dollars to fuel the obesity epidemic in America.
My personal interest in this issue results from when we covered this subject in class, while analyzing Jamie Oliver’s visual arguments in the form of his television show. While watching and talking about different episodes, I developed several questions. Why chicken nuggets made from the disgusting portions of a chicken carcass allowed to be sold? Why did the Los Angeles school system fail to address the sugared milk problem, when it was so clearly detrimental for human health? These questions produced a personal interest to discover more about the issue and an explanation for why health and consumer conditions are the way they are currently. Although I have not finished my research, at this point I am favoring the pro-regulation side of the argument, because I believe the government does have a responsibility to protect the people from unsafe products.
Morgan, you have clearly narrowed down an issue (whether the government should be involved in restricting the market for unhealthy foods) and identified a number of perspectives on the issue. Now good luck writing the essay!
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea, and I think it is a topic that definitely needs to be debated over. I hope that for your policy proposal paper, you went with an approach that has government more involved in the food market because of such growing obesity rates.
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