Since the alarming statistics of the risks involved in unplanned eating patterns and the occurrence of dangerous medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart conditions among others, have been made known to the public, society has started being conscious about health and wellness. Health advocacy groups have been criticizing fast food chains and advertising, blaming these entities to be responsible for the nationwide epidemic called obesity. Apparently, obesity is one of the leading causes of deadly diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions.
(Ruskin & Koshuta) Health advocacies are now raising consciousness and awareness of the people by supporting health and wellness that may be obtained through healthy diets and exercise. The idea of a healthy lifestyle is simple, if people simply watch what they eat, regulate fat and other dangerous food component intake, and probably exercise, then they are well of to enjoying a long life sans dangerous diseases and medical conditions. It is so simple, but a lot of people are claiming it is easier said than done.
Despite left and right advocacies from the health conscious groups of society, and although people either consciously or unconsciously want to stay healthy, many are still falling prey to the dangers of an unhealthy diet. Perhaps, in order to ensure that everyone enjoys a healthy lifestyle, society should be listening to the plights of those unable to follow healthy diets. There are a lot of significant reasons that should be addressed, especially by the government and health advocacy groups. In order to understand the argument, let us go over the requisites of a healthy diet plan.
First, you need to have a lot of money. Second, you need to have a lot of time to purchase and prepare for healthy meals. Third, you have to be disciplined enough, avoiding being tempted by television advertisements or sumptuous yet unhealthy meals and food items offered by fast food chains, restaurants, and supermarkets. Fourth, you have to learn how to decipher the nutritional contents found in food labels in order to understand the healthiness or unhealthiness of particular food item. (“Factors Contributing to Uptake of Healthy Diets” & Coghlan)
Healthy diet plans cost a whole lot of money. The University of Washington has conducted a research study comparing the prices of healthy food items and junk foods sold at supermarkets. The results of the study revealed that healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables are more expensive than junk foods. Moreover, Adam Drenowski from the same university stated that even if people consume more than twice the normal amount of junk foods, the cost of it would still be a lot cheaper than healthy diet plans.
This study also affirms why obesity and medical conditions caused by unhealthy diets most commonly occur to low-income families. (Parker) Another reason why people settle for unhealthy diets is the issue of convenience and availability. This holds true, most especially to students including the working groups of society. Gernhauser explains why students find it easier to consume unhealthy foods, compromisingly affecting their health. Students argue that the concept of fast food chains fit the student lifestyle. Fast foods and restaurants are accessibly located near educational institutions.
Food from these establishments are made available any time for students. For students who lack the time to visit fast food chains and restaurants personally, they can call these establishments and have the food delivered to their location. Basically, students are busy with attending classes and extra curricular activities, studying and research, etc. , that it is easier for them to have fast food chains and restaurants prepare their own meal despite the nutritional content. (Gernhauser) Perhaps, the same goes with people who are busy working.
Television or print ads, radio commercials, and even marketing strategies are also to blame for the eating habits of people leaning towards unhealthy diet plans. People who watch television all day would understand how business establishments market their goods and products on such a positive note. They use all marketing strategies available in order to attract consumers to buy their product regardless of the issues and concerns on health and well-being. Foods on television are undeniably appealing, endorsed by celebrities and popular icons that people idolize, products are marketed at a lower cost, etc. (Ruskin, Koshuta & Pfanner)
Food labels and nutritional content tables found in food items are confusing, not to mention, requires a little bit of knowledge regarding the content of these labels and tables. (Coghlan) Obviously, if people were unaware of food labels and nutritional content, then they would not be able to identify or determine which foods that are being sold in the market are healthy or not. At this point, the causes of unhealthy eating patterns is discussed and these causes have long since been the issue why people are unaware, not to mention, unable to obtain a healthy diet plan and consciousness or awareness regarding nutrition and well-being.
Healthy foods are costly, and there is nothing that people can do about that, except if the government takes action. Food companies are going to price their products that way, and some establishments are arguing that nutrition really cost that much, as compared to junk food with empty calories and nutritional content. The government should be able to if not to eradicate, and then regulate the production of junk food, unhealthy foods, and corporations, such as fast food chains and restaurants. Moreover, they should be able to screen what advertisements come out from television, radio, print ads, etc.
If unhealthy foods are convenient and readily available, healthy food establishments should be able to compete regarding this matter. If food labels and nutritional content labels are confusing and difficult to understand, then why not make it simpler and more discernible to people, or why not conduct information dissemination regarding the RDA or the FDA, etc. The cases of obesity, diabetes, coronary heart diseases, cancers, and all other serious medical conditions are really alarming. However, although it is alarming, the resolution of healthy diets in order to alleviate the problems regarding health is still unattainable to many.
The demands and concerns of people have been stated, not only in this piece of article, but also in several others. Health is a right, and for the people, they look up to the government to preserve and support their right.
Works Cited
Coghlan, Andy. “Britain’s Deadly Diet: Why do We Eat Such an Unhealthy Diet? Campaigners Face a Difficult Battle Against the Industry’s Compelling Advertisements. A Tough New Government Report Should Provide them With Ammunition. ” 11 May 1991. Retrieved from Reed Business Information Ltd. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.newscientist. com/article/mg13017685. 000-britains-deadly-diet-why-do-we-eat-such-an-unhealthy-dietcampaigners-face-a-difficult-battle-against-the-food-industrys-compellingadvertisements-a-tough-new-government-report-should-provide-them-withammunition-. html>. “Factors Contributing to Uptakes of Healthy Diets. ” 5 Dec. 2006. Retrieved from The British Heart Foundation. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www. heartstats. org/datapage. asp? id=5937>. Gernhauser, Sarah J. “Students Find Fast Food Center of Unhealthy Diet. ” 10 Jan. 2004. Retrieved from Daily Reveille.
28 Apr. 2008 <http://media. www. lsureveille. com/media/storage/paper868/news/2004/10/01/News/Students. Find. Fast. Food. Center. Of. Unhealthy. Diet-2050582. shtml>. Parker, Tara. “A High Price for Healthy Food. ” Pope on Health. 05 Dec. 2007. Retrieved from The New York Times. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://well. blogs. nytimes. com/2007/12/05/a-high-price-for-healthy-food/>. Pfanner, Eric. “Food Industry Advertising Draw Fire from Children’s Health Advocates. ” On Advertising. 23 Mar. 2008. Retrieved from The International Herald Tribune. 28 Apr.
2008 <http://www. iht. com/articles/2008/03/23/technology/adco24. php>. Ruskin, Gary. “The Fast Food Trap: How Commercialism Creates Overweight Children. ” Commercial Alert. 31 Oct. 2003. Retrieved from Commercial Alert. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www. commercialalert. org/issues/health/childhood-obesity/the-fast-food-trap-how-commercialism-creates-overweight-children>. Koshuta, John. “Junk Food Ads, Fast Food Increasing Teen Obesity. ” 09 Oct. 2007. Retrieved from The Natural News Network. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www. naturalnews. com/022105. html>.