I Say, You Say Speech on Obesity
Government Challenges Obesity
You would think that with evidence of an epidemic everywhere, Americans would begin to take the rise of obesity seriously, but I have found otherwise. With two thirds of the population overweight or obese, doctors are worried this could be the first generation since the Civil War to have a shortened life expectancy. But who is to blame? Though some say it’s the fast-food industry, others argue it’s the parent’s fault. In recent discussions of obesity, one controversial issue has been whether the government has gone too far in invading personal rights. On the one hand, Jeff Winkler in his article “Most Americans oppose Michelle Obama’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” surveyed citizens on how they feel on this issue and respondents argue that parents should have the ultimate say in their child’s diet. On the other hand, Jeff Richards in his article “Healthy, Hunger Free-Kids Act” and Karen Ball in her article “Parents, Principals Don 't Like School Lunch Rules”, both agree with First Lady Michelle Obama, contending that national obesity is not only an economic threat but also a national security issue, therefore, government is doing the right thing by taking action. I agree with Michelle Obama and I endorse the US Department of Agriculture’s decision to take a historic step towards reducing childhood obesity by putting new nutrition standards on school lunches.
All this is a looming topic because the outcomes have turned out to be quite controversial with citizens, which is expressed in the article, “Parents, Principals Don 't Like School Lunch Rules”. Karen Ball addresses the complaints parents and principals have about the USDA’s decision to limit starch to one cup per week, lowering calorie limits and sodium levels, replacing whole milk with skim or one percent and mandating leafy greens and red and orange veggies. The rules will affect thirty million lunches served each school day in America. Though many support the USDA’s
You would think that with evidence of an epidemic everywhere, Americans would begin to take the rise of obesity seriously, but I have found otherwise. With two thirds of the population overweight or obese, doctors are worried this could be the first generation since the Civil War to have a shortened life expectancy. But who is to blame? Though some say it’s the fast-food industry, others argue it’s the parent’s fault. In recent discussions of obesity, one controversial issue has been whether the government has gone too far in invading personal rights. On the one hand, Jeff Winkler in his article “Most Americans oppose Michelle Obama’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” surveyed citizens on how they feel on this issue and respondents argue that parents should have the ultimate say in their child’s diet. On the other hand, Jeff Richards in his article “Healthy, Hunger Free-Kids Act” and Karen Ball in her article “Parents, Principals Don 't Like School Lunch Rules”, both agree with First Lady Michelle Obama, contending that national obesity is not only an economic threat but also a national security issue, therefore, government is doing the right thing by taking action. I agree with Michelle Obama and I endorse the US Department of Agriculture’s decision to take a historic step towards reducing childhood obesity by putting new nutrition standards on school lunches.
All this is a looming topic because the outcomes have turned out to be quite controversial with citizens, which is expressed in the article, “Parents, Principals Don 't Like School Lunch Rules”. Karen Ball addresses the complaints parents and principals have about the USDA’s decision to limit starch to one cup per week, lowering calorie limits and sodium levels, replacing whole milk with skim or one percent and mandating leafy greens and red and orange veggies. The rules will affect thirty million lunches served each school day in America. Though many support the USDA’s
Cited: Ball, Karen. “Parents, Principals Don’t Like School Lunch Rules.” (2011) Web. 7 Feb 2011. www.time.com. Richards, Jeff. “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act: 5 Questions Answered About the New Law.” (2010) Web. 7 Feb 2011. www.aolnews.com. Winkler, Jeff. “Most Americans Oppose Michelle Obama’s Healthy Hunger- Free Kids Act.” (2010) Web. 13 Feb 2011. www.dailycaller.com.