Obesity War Whose To Blame?

[Trying4Thin]

Thought this was an interesting article on our own accountability vs blaming the product manufacturers. Who do you think is ultimately responsible here? I know I have my ideas.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060318/..._obesity_blame

~Carrie

[Big_Girl_Bigger_Heart]

Since the question was...Who is ultimately responsible, that's simple enough to answer, you are. No one forces a person to eat or eat poorly. That is the choice of the individual. However…had the question been who is feeding Americans obesity problems, I could say the manufactures of these products are.
This afternoon I actually counted how many fast food commercials I seen with in a two hour span. I counted twenty-two on one channel. Everything from Apple Bee’s to Burger King. That to me is over kill. I never really took notice to these things before, because it never really bothered me. Hell, I kind of enjoyed the convenience of the drive though…it’s simple to tell someone else what you’d like to eat and 30 seconds later, it’s hot and ready.
If they want to hold a person accountable for their actions, that is great. Let’s see fast food companies post giant signs in front of their restaurants telling people that fast food causes obesity. Cigarette companies had to put smoking leads to lung cancer on their packs of cigarettes. I want to see a Pizza box say contents may lead a person to become grossly obese. I mean…after all, isn’t this supposed to be about accountability?
I blame myself for not changing my eating habits when I realized I was gaining weight. I blame myself for allowing myself to get obese. I blame myself for eating when I was bored. And I even blame myself for being too lazy to cook after working all day, and turning to a microwave instead of a stove. However, I do not blame myself for the products on the market. I do not feel I should have to stand in an isle and examine each item of food I want to purchase because it may or may not contain what ever chemical they say can kill you this week. We shouldn’t mess with nature to begin with. No one would eat an apple treated with radiation yet you’ll buy meat in the store that has been run through radiation. Most people don’t even realize this is being done.
In a world where we cannot seem to slow down enough to take a breath, I can easily see why we’re such an obese nation. Who wants to cook after working all day? It’s easier to go through a drive thru or microwave it. So is it because we are a lazy nation, or just a grossly misinformed nation?

Lady Jami

[Missy]

I would have to say that the individual is responsible for their own obestity. They make unhealthy choices and let things distract them. The entertainment industry is huge and so many kids are drawn into video games and watching television. There was once a time when kids found it fun to go outside and play games or run around playing tag. I think too many people fall into this category of distraction. It's like entertainment is making people lazy and unhealthier than ever.

Now...I do think some people/things are to blame for obesity, especially in children. It's up to the parents to set a good healthy example to their children and get them active and eating well. I see so many parents taking their kids to McDonald's or other fast food places....and kids are drawn in by all the cool toys they offer with the kids meals.

I also think schools are to blame...especially schools who have cafeteria's and don't provide healthy choices. If the kid is hungry and all that is offered at the school is greasy fattening food...they are left with no other choice but to eat it. I have seen some schools recently change their whole menus...but there are still so many that have snack and pop vending machines and sell hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and all that other junk.

[Patty_Ann]

I have to agree that the blame is on us - the individuals. We are the ones who have decided to get the Super Sized Fries with our meals or the Route 44 drinks. Nobody has forced us to order up a large pizza - we are doing this ourselves! I know that I put the blame on me and nobody but me - I am the one who let myself get this big. I was lazy - I never worked out...didn't get any exercise. I was the one who ate all day long - I'm the one who chose to have the fattening foods. Not a SINGLE person made me this way.

I, personally, have to say that I don't put any blame on fast food industries. They are out to make money and that is what they are doing...making tons of money. $$$$$ Think about it...if you knew that you could make $ from selling hamburgers and fries would you do it? Yes...I'm sure you would - I know I would. They are providing their business to everyone - not only obese people. They are not making us FAT - we are doing it!

I can't stand to hear of a person wanting to sue somebody b/c they developed lung cancer b/c they smoked. I can't stand to hear of a person wanting to sue somebody b/c they became overweight by eating their foods -GIVE ME A BREAK! We have done it to ourselves - that is all there is to it! We have made our choices - whether they are good or bad...we did it!

[pathoulihanuk]

we are to blame were not forced to eat food we do it by choice so you cant blame the manufacturers.