Europe is free but they are not nearly as fat. America was free a few decades ago and wasn't nearly as fat. We aren't fat because we're free. We're fat because we make a lot of bad health decisions, both as individuals and as a society.
Wrong. Its the AMOUNT people are eating. Its so ****ing simple. Watch your calories and make no little to no exceptions on skimping that diet.
Hell no. If I'm not overweight I get the right to drink soda so long as I remain at my current level.
nope. Can't do that. I need my mixer when I sneak rum into sporting events. Just ban it at schools. And rum too. At least for kids. Teachers should only drink in moderation during school hours.
I'd just kick the companies out completely. Offer only 1% and skim milk and water to the kids. I'm only 25, so I haven't been out of school for that long. I've been in Georgia for K-12. In Elementary school, the only soda machine was accessible by teachers and visiting parents. However, they did start selling ice cream when I was around 3rd grade. In middle school, soda machines were somewhat available. They were in the gym, but we were rarely given access to them. We actually had easier access to candy and ice cream. If they have access to soda at my son's elementary school, I haven't seen it, but of course I haven't looked. High school the soda machines were every where. You could grab a snack, cookies, donuts, ice cream, soda, etc. any time between classes. I don't see that as a problem though, as I think HS kids should make their own decisions regarding their eating habits. I think there is a bigger problem at home. We have more sedentary lifestyles today. We have so much TV and video games, and they are in nearly every house. Sodas are now a common staple in homes where as they were once a rare treat. In the south of course we eat a lot of oil and butter in food.
It the amount, the bad choices, and the lack of exercise. I mean, I could be out running, but I'm here typing on Clutchfans.
True. But you can't control what's in the home. Healthy eats at school is something you can do. Without trampling anyone's autonomy. I'd limit TV and video games at school too. At least during class. And probably at recess and lunch too.
Sure - but you don't have to give up freedom to get rid of obesity. Making unhealthy stuff not available in school cafeterias or vending machines isn't taking away freedom, as long as you let people bring it in if they get it elsewhere. Educating people doesn't take away freedom. There are lots of things to do short of "ban it all" that can make a huge difference.
I was a fat kid because I didn't know how to make good food choices and my parents were busy. I was active, yet fat. Its all about diet, and kids are definitely in the dark about it. Maybe they need some PSA's geared directly at them, not their parents, during Saturday morning cartoons... instead of commercials about candy bars and pee-pee stix.
