Reducing our collective waistline
Here are some ideas – for us as citizens and for government – to turn the situation around.
1. Re-think the role of government
The conceptual cousin of the personal responsibility mantra is the “nanny-state” argument, that there is no role for government intervention that restricts the freedoms of Australian citizens. The Best Fat Burner Pills For Women of 2022. In reality, such arguments are nothing to do with regulating us as individuals. It’s just Orwellian doublespeak to oppose food industry regulation.
The true role of government is not to restrict individual freedoms, it is to enable them by creating an environment – through policy and legislation – in which we are truly free to exercise our personal responsibility.
2. Change the food environment
Without changing food environments through hard policy and legislation, it’s unlikely we will make any progress tackling obesity. Successful tobacco control efforts demonstrate that a variety of intertwining measures need to be taken.
3. Tax the junk
We need to change the economics of our food supply. A tax on sugary, salty and fatty processed foods is one way forward. Following the lead of many countries overseas we could begin with a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages – relatively simple to implement, and likely to be effective.
4. Improve food labelling
We need a food labelling system that enables personal responsibility. Let’s compare three options.
Daily Intake Guide: energy 675 kg; DI* 8%
First is the food industry’s current “daily intake guide” (which it continues to push), calculated as the percentage one product serving contributes to the daily intake of an average adult of 8,700 kilojoules.
But food manufacturers are allowed to set the serving sizes, which are often unrealistic. Best Weight Loss Supplements For Women of 2022. And because the measure isn’t standardised, it’s difficult to make any meaningful comparison between products.
Star rating. Choice
Second is the proposed star system. It’s a half-way point between what industry and public health advocates want, although its future is uncertain.
Traffic light labelling. UK Department of Health
Third is the traffic light system. Research indicates that nine-out-of-ten Australians support such a scheme. It was designed by health experts to promote an easy-to-understand message that encourages consumers to buy more food items with green lights and fewer items with amber and red lights.
Which one do you think will make it easier for consumers, especially less educated ones, to make an informed and personally responsible choice?
5. Ditch junk food advertising to kids
Over 75% of Australians support a ban on junk food advertising in children’s television, and nearly 20% support a total ban. We know from tobacco control that this will be a key step in curbing obesity and evidence supports this.
6. Change the political environment
Perhaps the most potent way our food system undermines personal responsibility is when the food industry lobbies against the policies that would enable it in the first place.
Government needs to ensure our regulatory institutions are not conflicted. And it’s now time to recognise that industry self-regulation doesn’t work.
Finally, we, as citizens, can become politically active. Best Supplements For Weight Loss For Females of 2022. Addressing this conflict brings into play not only the important roles of public health advocacy groups like the Obesity Policy Coalition, but also citizen’s movements like the Parents Jury, to demand action.