We now have abundance and easy access to tasty food in mammoth quantities. The result is that we have become a nation of gluttons, encouraged by the food industry and supermarkets. If people were suffering rationing now there would not be an obesity epidemic – so it is all down to availability and portions sizes.
Helping people not to become obese is a challenge. I think that there needs to be a radical shift in society to make the food industry downsize our ‘portions’ and offer realistic ones rather than jumbo supersize things. (I bet George Osborne would love to levy a ‘fat’ tax on people who are overweight – he could rake in millions).
Smaller plates and bowls might help.
So might education in schools - teaching children how to cook proper food and not rely on microwave convenience food and the chip shop.
Yes – I’m a glutton too and guilty of living to eat, so I sympathize with anyone who loves food too much and has an expanding waste line.
What do you think – should people be allowed to get fatter and fatter?
Is obesity a matter of our own personal responsibility?
Or do we need a radical shift as a society in our attitude to food?
4 comments:
Hi Sue,
First and foremost on this topic - it's always down to personal choice. If a person wishes to be the size they are, then good luck to them. I'm very wary about Government interference on this issue - not least because it'd be near impossible, logistically, to do anything.
For me, we should look more at the cure (not sure that's the right word but run with it) rather than the problem, and it is exercise. Having done more exercise over the past month than I have done in the 11 before it, I can tell that I've lost weight, feel better about myself and am sleeping better.
If anything should be done, it should be to point out to people how exercise doesn't have to be about the gym and suffering, but can be really fun and enjoyable. Rather then worrying about portions in restaurants, let's get people off their Playstations and outside a bit more!
I do totally agree with your point about educating children, though. That's very,very important.
Yes – exercise is very important and well done for doing some. Schools should be offering more exercise too – there would be a lot less antisocial behavior and obesity if kids were expected to do knackering exercise every day at school.
It would help if school playing fields were not sold off though!
Did you mean 'bowls' rather than 'bowels' here? Hope so...
Oops - (she blushes in horror) I've corrected it. Thanks for that anonymous.
Post a Comment