Which is more to blame for obesity - microwaves, junk food, school runs, 24 hour television, or computer games

Question

Or a subtle combination of all of the above?

Answer 1

Capitalism...much wants more.

If we were needy and had to fend for ourselves more and we did not have great big supermarkets to wander round at will to buy the junk food most of them have on offer we would be forced to cook wholesome food. Instead were off to the shops to top up either the sweety or crisp cupboard.

So my answer is certainly a combination of all you mentioned though subtle...... no way as what is subtle about a very obese person.

Answer 2

It has to start with the parents. If they banned their children having junk food, 24 hour television, school runs & computer games then they would help their children with their weight control.

Also, I hate it when I go shopping and I see Mr Big, Mrs Big and all the little Bigs eating their way around the supermarket. Parents should lead by example and if they show that it's ok to scoff the food before it's paid for. Then the little lardies will do the same. The supermarkets lay on these motorised shopping trollies that are meant to be for the less abled but the ones in our local ASDA always seem to be used by people that can't walk due to the weight of fat on them and they still eat as they are driving around.

Answer 3

Hello Yes its a combination of all above .
I also think the fact that our children are not allowed to play out as most of us would have done from a very early age.
Because of this we have to provide them with TVS Computer games to keep them amused.
They become couch potatoes.
I moved house so my 2 children could play in the Park next to our house where i could keep an eye on them.
Society must look at itself closely.
I heard my neighbours the other day discussing how they would never tell any ones kids off now but in the old days if the kids were out on the street misbehaving someone would have given them what for.
Now I'm ranting ...
My kids prefer football to PlayStation and i don't feed them junk.

Answer 4

In my opinion, there has been a drastic decline in the quality of American health since about the 80's. You were right to assume that your options had something to do with the rise in obesity. The truth of the matter is that we as Americans are putting more and more pressure on ourselves to become more active while being lazy, making decent home made meals from the microwave, and exercising from the comfort of our favorite recliner. Yes, watching Sweatin' to The Oldies counts as exercise from your recliner because you have to force yourself not to fall out of the chair from laughter. Americans want the best of ALL worlds, we wish to be healthy without all the hard work, and we want to eat what we want when we want and not suffer the consequences of increasing waist lines and male breast fat. The combination is the most appropriate, but not all inclusive. I know it is long winded for a simple answer, but I have to type my Snicker's Bar away.

Answer 5

Like all complicated questions the answer is equally as complicated.
Obesity is caused by a compination of all these things.

Microwaves: because they encourage and facilitate the reheating and cooking of processed foods. Usually high in fats and all the addatives that are not good for us.

Junk Food: TV dinners, Fast Food. They are all made to be quick, and therefore contain preservatives and bad stuff.

School Runs: We would drive to school if we had to go every day. We forget that we are adults and children need a good grounding in healthy exercise. We cannot treat children like young adults because they are not. Children need the foundations of responsibility and sometimes that means ensuring that they make their own way in life as well as to school.

24 Hour TV: Did we have this facility? DVDs - EVERYTHING on demand. This environment is not good for children because the real life is not like that. They have to be prepared for life so life should be structured by parents to ensure children have this preparation.

Computer Games: This allows entertainment with ZERO interaction with human beings. Easy - Medium - Hard ensure they can choose lifes difficulties so they can win. Life is life. You cannot change it by pressing the correct button on your controller.
Team games, competition against eachother teach us how to win and lose gracefully. They teach us to communicate and negotiate.

A lot of the answers in this category state PARENTS. Well I must say that parents have a role in controlling all the points in my answer.
All these good habits can be taught and encouraged without much confrontation, the key is creating the right environment to support the process.

There are no easy answers to getting that right but with honest and open support (remember the importance of communication and interaction) it can be achieved.

Answer 6

Parents and the school system. I only finished compulsory education six years ago, but already so much has changed both in terms of schools and parenting. I am just glad I had the opportunity to grow up when I did, right at the end of the 'good times'.

Both in school and at home I, and my friends, were encouraged to explore the outside world (a benefit of living in the country). We used to go fishing and clambering about the woods, learning all the different plants, trees and animals. We learned to read the weather and how to swim- in open water- as well as how to use a gun and knife properly.

Show me a school child now who could tell you the difference, at a glance, between the stool of an bull elephant and a harvest mouse, and that child would be one in a thousand. They just don't get out any more.

Answer 7

why not blame the person? i'm tired of hearing the blame laid everyone but on the person with the poor lifstyle. or the parents allowing that lifestyle. a microwave and video game being lifeless objects have no power to make you fat. I'm sick of not being allowed my supersize meals for the days i'm extra hungry or thirsty because too many people complained that fast food made them fat.....dont eat there 4 days a week and you might not have that problem. And true here in America we are fairly large people. but there's plenty of us who arnt. i use a microwave almost everyday, i love love love junk foods and television. and i am no where near being overweight. it's called moderation and some people don't know how to use it....a little exercise and moderation and problem solved.

Answer 8

Food and lack of exercise. Action should have been taken a long time ago to stop advertising of junk food to children. I know it is the responsibility of parents to manage their kids diet, but we have to accept the fact that some parents will listen to their kids and give them what they "want". The potential cost of dealing with obesity including the treatment of diabetes is huge so whether we like it or not others kids health is important.

Answer 9

There's also portions becoming bigger and bigger. What sick mind conceived of a 64-oz soda?! Why do people need muffins as big as their heads? A Cinnabon is over 600 calories. Some of these coffee drinks at Starbucks are 300-500 calories. Some appetizers at many chains are over 1,000 calories apiece.

So, yeah, what you list is part of it, but a big part you forgot to mention was portion control and all the fats and fillers that make crappy food so cheap.

Answer 10

I think it's lack of exercise, if kids are playing outside they're getting fit and at the same time less likely to be snacking. There is no need for any one to pick there child up from primary school in a car as the vast majority are within walking distance.