ray j willings said:
The government doesn't stop going on about obesity. We have TV shows telling you how to eat. We have healthy
campaigns in schools etc. Its made no difference.
Stop putting all that food in your mouth and you won't be Fat. It really is that simple "control yourself"
Well, for some people that control is easier said that done, and not so simple.
When I turned 40 it was a lot easier to gain weight, for example. Not that I'm obese mind you, but I did notice it.
Having said that, I think you're right and agree with your general assessment. We can make all the rules, taxes, campaigns, documentaries, we want, but it's up to the individual to eat better and exercise more.
The only way I see the government really having an impact would be to do something radical. A small tax would change little. Maybe over 50 years, like the way tobacco has been taxed. So for large change we would need a massive tax on processed food; massive subsidies for whole foods; and a heavy handed restriction banning advertising of junk food, processed food, and probably most meat and dairy, or make people hunt their own meat. And we should probably force people to commute by bicycle by greatly building bike lanes and bike paths, and stopping maintenance on roads. Or restricting gasoline purchase for people under the age of about 60. That would probably get people to eat almost no junk, and a lot more salad, and be a lot more fit. But in a free country, once you open that door of autocratic control...