Essay 2.3

Over thirty years ago, one of the main concerns of the nation was the lack of nutrition and starvation of children across America. Today, rather than the scarcity of food, we are focusing on too much food and caloric intake. Obesity is a growing epidemic that is sweeping the nation. One of my classes, GKIN 100, we discovered that by the year 2030, all American adults will be overweight (Corbin, p. 274). There are solutions that can help most American adults, but most do not realize that there is more that can be done by simply speaking up along with help. I believe that the Federal Government needs to take action and steps towards regulation what type of food/beverages are sold and advertised, with more particular attention towards children, who poses a greater advantage. However some industries fear that federal control would threaten profits. Bringing in regulation to theses industries has enormous opportunities for a healthier lifestyle but it is a big gamble.

Several people have spoken alarm over this issue. Douglas J. Besharov, a professor at the University of Maryland, made a testimony before the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on April 3, 2003 expressing concern over the weight and obesity in recent America. He stated that in previous years, while a civil rights worker in the 1960’s, he had first hand account of the lack of nutrition and starvation that was occurring day to day. Only after the media paid attention to such issues is when action took place such as federal feeding and welfare programs for people who cannot afford to pay for food. Now he is appalled to see accounts of the complete opposite (Besharov). To myself, and most likely many others, this is awful. People worry about their weight constantly these days. I can’t go a day without worrying about what I eat or if I get enough exercise, trying to manage a healthy weight and lifestyle. On a personal account, an old sports coach of mine was also a fitness trainer, and she would tell us stories of how people do not know how to properly manage nutritional intake. The question is, does the federal government need to intervene for this type of measure, and how will it affect these companies? My answer to this question would be yes but that may not always be the best course of action.

In extreme cases of overweight and obesity, the federal government, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, is a good solution due to they have greater power than that of those who just shake their fingers, they can talk the talk but not walk the walk. However, companies fear government regulation and see it as a threat tot heir profit and possibly their jobs. Such action can cause serious damage if not done properly. Thus companies need to find ways of gearing their products in a better light that can still maintain their “fun” status.

Food companies spent approximately $1.6 billion in 2006 gearing products such as sugary cereals, fast food and sodas towards children (Clifford, par. 2). Policymakers, public and health professionals are now concerned about certain practices of these companies and how they gear their products. Threatened by federal regulation, companies are starting to do what some call self-policy in order to stay afloat. Several companies have made modifications to the products that they sell, particularly to children. The most common tactic is to stop marketing certain products that are aimed towards children and teenagers. Cereal is one of the biggest products that have trouble adapting to these expectations (Clifford, par. 12). Kellogg’s, along with other participating companies, are not permitted to advertise their product in elementary schools, with some exceptions such as charitable fundraising activities (Sharama, par. 16). This is good, especially when it comes to adapting to new products and how the advertise their new healthier standards, but is this good enough? No, it is not, we first need to find out what and if the new products are in fact healthier.

Other forms of self-regulating in fact is to modify the products to a healthier measure. Each company has their own set of standards for “better” food, but what exactly doe that mean, “better”? The companies themselves define this; there is no universal definition for better food (Clifford, par. 7). So we as consumers have no idea if what we are eating/drinking really is any “better” than their previous prototypes. However the writers of the article, “The Food Industry and Self-Regulation: Standards to Promote Success and to Avoid Public Health Failures”, have found 8 standards that companies should and do follow in order for self-regulation to be successful. These standards include: standards created by a combination of scientists and representatives of leading nongovernmental organizations, everyone have equal power and authority, predefined benchmarks to ensure the success of self-regulation, mandatory reporting to ensure progress, procedures for outside parties to have the ability to make objections if anything seems to not meet requirement, evaluation of benchmarks by credible outside sources, periodical assessments, and lastly oversight by an appropriate global authoritarian or health body (Sharma, par. 10). These guidelines can help to create smaller portion sizes and caloric intake without diminishing nutritional needs, all of which can help children and adults as well. Generally these rules are stricter for children in grades K-8 (Sharma, par. 13). So when asking, what is the benchmark for these guidelines, people can be reassured that professionals and those with expertise in this field will carefully decide and monitor the food that is distributed to children.

The solution has come to that regulation will come from outside, and professional sources that have no bias. They may be deemed credible by the federal government, but not controlled by them. Though full federal government regulation will not be the solution and self-regulation will not always be 100% successful, I do believe that people can compromise to such measures of having credible outside sources, such as World Health Organization monitor such actions (Sharma, par. 11). This would be considered a look but don’t touch situation, so that all parties are satisfied with the actions being carried out. The companies are given the benefit of the doubt and given the chance to better their products for a healthier standard given to them.

Bibliography

Besharov, Douglas J. (2003, April). “ Growing Overweight and Obesity in America: The Potential Role of Federal Nutrition Programs.” Speech presented at Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Alexandria, VA.

Clifford, Stephanie. "Tug of War in Food Marketing to Children." New York Times 30 Sep. 2008: 5. Web. 13 Mar 2010.

Fahey, Thomas D, Paul M Insel, and Walton T Roth. Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness. 8th. New York: McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2009. 274. Print.

Sharma, Lisa L, Stephen P Teret, and Kelly D Brownell. "The Food Industry and Self-Regulation: Standards to Promote Success and to Avoid Public Health Failures." America Jouranl of Public Health 100.2 (2010): 240-6. Web. 13 March 2010.