Over time, Americans have adopted many unhealthy behaviors causing us to have the highest obesity rate in the world. Because of this, the federal government is trying inspire people across our nation to make healthier choices.
In the past few decades, the number of overweight people in America has climbed dramatically. In order to influence public health, the US government has partnered up with schools and created laws to promote healthier choices.
First Lady Michelle Obama began a mission to reduce childhood obesity in 2010, by creating the Let’s Move! campaign and partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reform the standards for school breakfasts and lunches. As a result, schools across the country began taking more initiative to educate themselves and students about healthy behaviors. Obesity rates for children between the ages of 2 and 5 decreased between 2003 and 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and some states recently have reported making progress against obesity in disadvantaged children.
There’s also another approach our government has taken to influence public health: taxes. According to a study done by a Staff News Editor at Heart Disease Weekly, a 20% tax on sugary drinks in the US would reduce obesity levels by 3.5%.
Many Americans have different perspectives on our country’s health issues. While choosing what to eat and drink is ultimately every citizen's own choice, government health campaigns and regulations are designed to encourage choices that will create a healthier America.
Content for this segment was created by Tara Hale as part of a project for SC301: Foundations of Health Communication, taught by Ms. Clubbs
Resources:
http://ahealthieramerica.org/
http://www.letsmove.gov/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/a-healthful-legacy-michelle-obama-looks-to-the-future-of-lets-move/2015/05/03/19feb42c-b3cc-11e4-886b-c22184f27c35_story.html
Sifferlin, A. (2012, May 16). Study: A 20% ‘Fat Tax’ Would Improve Public Health. TIME.com. Retrieved July 24, 2016, from http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/16/study-a-20-fat-tax-would-improve-public-health/
