Food For Thought

For some reason or another, Dominic and I have been watching many different shows on obesity.  It's sad and frustrating at the same time to watch.  I do not like to think of American's as gluttons or as lazy people because of course I am American.  However, it is slowly starting to look that way for many of us.  Why is this?  Two reasons, convenience and laziness.  Things are becoming easier for us, which means people do less physical required activity and have the luxury of having jobs which come with the convenience of computers, machines, automation, and so on.  Because technology has advanced so much that most people enjoy themselves every night in front of satellite TV or playing a simple video game could be a contributing factor in what causes American obesity to rise.  The reason that most families and people eat out at restaurants or buy pre-cooked foods is simply because it is a convenience that allows more time for other things.  People can be too busy with work, school, and family matters, that cooking up a home-made dinner sometimes seem like a hassle or not an option.  The problem with eating out is you just don't know EVERYTHING that is being put into your food.  It's most likely loaded up with butter. Sure it tastes good.  Most things that do aren't healthy for you. 

This being said, there are three types of obese Americans in my opinion.  Those people that may have a medical problem that contributes to their obesity.  Those who may not have the means to eat healthy and look for the bargain.  And lets not forget those that are just plain lazy and are completely to blame for their own "fatness."  For those people I hold no sympathy.

But who's really to blame?  Well, in my opinion both the consumer and the industry.  However my bigger problem is with the industry.  Clearly we live in a consumer-driven society. ... Their purpose is to get you to do something. When you have that much money to market and with that kind of advertising budget, clearly you’re going to have influence over people’s decisions.  I think the real problem involves companies offering  "weapons of mass consumption."  It is tough to resist, and people want value. I want value.  Blame the industry or the consumer. I don’t care. We just have to reach a solution. It’s time for new rules.  I want to be able to drive-thru (not that it happens often in this household) or go to the movies and upon ordering a medium Coke...GET a medium Coke.  NOT a medium, over-sized, larger than life, 32oz, medium Coke.

OH...THE KIDS.  Let's not forget to talk about our kids.  Childhood obesity is a major problem in America as well.  Simple answer as to why is simply T.V.  Too much time in front of the "boob tube."  I personally never remember watching very much television growing up.  I can hardly name a favorite childhood television program of mine.  WE played outside, rode our bikes and ALWAYS ate home-cooked meals. Studies indicate that overweight children are not necessarily overeaters.  Sometimes they just eat and drink too much of the wrong things.  Eating a small bag of potato chips each day, for some youngsters, can lead to a half pound a week weight gain.  That may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but it can add up to two pounds a month or 24 pounds a year!  According to some reports, teenagers drink almost 65 gallons of soft drinks a year.  When you add the mountains of fast-food meals and high-fat snacks to these high sugar beverages, it’s not too hard to identify what behaviors are contributing to the problem. Why don't we limit these options for our children.  Encourage less video games and more outside playing time.

It's an epidemic people.  But before we judge, let's help educate and encourage and enable those who need the help less.  The irony for me in all of this, is that I graduated college with a degree in Marketing and Advertising.   I love every aspect of the field yet often find myself disgusted with how "in your face" it can be...That being said from a consumers point of view of course.