Should the government play a larger role in tackling obesity in the US?

Question

Should P.E. be reinstituted in public schools coupled with recess and nutritional meals?

We used to have two recess periods and then we went on lock-down and P.E. was later defunded.

Answer 1

another way the socialist libs want to control your life by the means of government no the government should stay out of this other wise lets make abortion illegal if i cant do what i want with my body then why should women be able to have abortions.

Answer 2

It looks like the government has already taken enough of a role in (causing) obesity in kids. The parents should be taking a larger role in this. If we keep expecting the government to fix all of our problems, it wont be long until we will have no say so in anything. Every time we try to get the government to do a quick fix to something that should be up to each and every one of us, taxes are raised again, Laws are passed that take away more of our freedom, and still nothing is done about it. Lets take care of this ourselves and tell big brother to do the job that he is already being paid to do. (Which isn't much)

Answer 3

The government should always play a larger role when something affects the american paople at a fifty percent or above rate. We need to begin with the youth, but unfortunately when funds need to be cut, it is usually the physical education that gets hit. Unless it's a major sport of course. We need better insurance to cover obesity problems. But until the american public believe there is a problem with obesity, we are not going to get the right people voted in to office to help the problem.

Answer 4

No. Government should play a smaller role in most things. Reasonable people should self regulate.

Early on, parents should educate their children on diet and take their kids out for regular exercise.

Later on, teenagers should get their buts off the computer chair and go outside. They should also heed their parents' lessons and not poison themselves with junk food.

Adults? We are all free to make choices. There is enough info out there for you to figure out what is right for you.

Funds for education are already strapped. We need more $$ thrown into advanced classes in language arts, social studies, science, etc. U.S. public schools are way behind other nations as evidenced by some of the spelling I've seen on this site!

Answer 5

government play larger role tackling obesity

Answer 6

How many obese kids do you see actively participating in anything that is calorie burning? [They are the ones doing something "passive" during recess.] They are also the ones bartering for food off someone else's "nutritional meal". I am not critical of obese children...I just see tackling the problem different. Truth be known...the kid's parents are obese so it is more than meets the eye.

The need to learn personal problem solving skills. Should not single out the obese person...but should see it as a opportunity to address and refine all kinds of things that could make a difference.

You need to teach "personal problem solving" everyone has something to work on! Set up individual objectives to meet goals with a mentor. The student agrees and signs a contract ....with grades according to measurable outcomes.
EXAMPLES:
---nutrition and physical fitness
---attitude insight/anger management/stress reduction
---smoking cessation
---sleep hygiene (promoting proper cycles)
---ettiquette drill camp
---male and female reproductive health
---ethics, values, philosophy, and sprituality
---dependent/codependent personality workshop
---parenting (infant cpr, car responsibilties for 0 to age 3)
---how to save 1 million dollars for retirement.
---personality inventory and relationships
---travel language (German, French, Spanish etc.)
---cultural and gender differences
---procrastination / how to study effectively
---understanding disabilities (blindness, deaf, autism,
mental illness, dementia, etc.)
---communication skills (active listening, validating others
feelings)
---the lost art of hobbies (other than video games)

I could go on and on....series of 6 week courses...they could be practical and fun. Could be taught by professionals in the community. People need to learn how to do these things for themselves...That is way I would call them "personal solving problem classes".

There are some basic steps to learn to apply ...then to be responsible to follow through. Sorry, I got wired up (too much coffee...my personal problem). I understand how you are concerned...so am I. Need more persons like you! That is my BEST ANSWER!

Answer 7

Since education is a federal law and requirement, nutrition and PE is part of what a solid education is.

The government is lacking in its responsibilities by not funding these valid parts of early education.

However, it is not the responsibility of, nor should the government be involved in controlling how adults eat or what weight they choose to be.

Anything else is a violation of basic rights; people have the right to be fat.

Answer 8

I agree with P.E. I agree with taking out fattening foods available at schools in vending machines. And I agree parents who allow their children to become morbidly obese may not be the best parents. But beyond that, it's personal choice. If someone wants to eat a Big Mac and not excercise that's thei right. Taxing establishments like McDonald's and such is excessive abuse of power, and I don't think that should happen.

Answer 9

Schools think they have to have a phys ed teacher to have phys ed. They don't-it could be incorporated in the teacher's day just as it is in many private schools. As far as government controlling what people eat -I don't think so- we are a society that abounds with food. All through the centuries there have been times when countries became fat-it was a sign of success. Schools may serve what they call healthy, but people will still eat what they want at home and many will remain unhealthy. Our success and our overindulgence may someday be naturally curbed when the environment changes-there are floods or diseases or droughts and the food supply dries up.

Answer 10

Those are actions that are within the scope of what the govt can do -- whether it should is a philosophical discussion.

Personally, I don't think the govt should be telling people what to do and what not to do -- and that includes what to eat or how much to exercise. But if the govt is going to control behavior anyway -- it should at least make sensible policies based on long term benefits.

Answer 11

I think one role they could play is to educate parents on how to properly feed their children and themselves. There is an abundance of ignorance when it comes to nutrition. I frankly am astounded at how little people in general know about how food reacts in the body, how many calories a person should consume to maintain a healthy weight and the importance of exercise in relation to overall health and fitness. I think an education campaign from the Government is a good idea.