Public Policy Targeting Obesity
Given that the costs related to obesity amounted health, politicians following legislative solutions in Germany modelled on the anti-smoking campaigns years 1990, on the attack, which many say the medical community, is l one of the most serious threats to the long-term health of the nation.
In the District of Columbia and half a dozen countries, lawmakers have discussed here, to ask for invoices, the fast-food restaurants and the food chain information such as energy, fat and sugar in menus .
Twenty-five countries, after successful efforts in Arkansas and Texas, to consider restrictions for the sale of sweets and soda in schools. Parents and advocacy groups in Alabama and Seattle go to the border to go even further, waging campaigns to eradicate Junk-Food advertising aimed at youth.
And in New York State, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D) has proposed six bills anti-obesity, including an action, not only tax-fat food, but also modern icons of sedentary life — Playing cards, video games and DVD rentals - and use that flow from $ 50 million for food and movement.
“We have focused on smoking, now it is time we fight obesity,” said Ortiz, a Puerto Rican immigrant, saw her mother suffer from overweight by diabetes, a kidney transplant, myocardial infarction and the visually impaired.
The Americans have been increasingly difficult for a period of three decades, and with the arrival of additional weight of serious medical problems like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and renal failure. Until recently, weight remained the province of doctors, regime gurus and women’s magazines.
But now, fiscal constraints have pushed the issue on the agenda of public order, triggering a debate between those who view as a matter of the decision and staff say that society has a government problem of obesity.
“Obesity is the fastest growing disease in America,” said Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary. “If we are really interested in key medical costs and improving the health of citizens, we have something to do with obesity.