The obesity epidemic is a larger problem than many admit, especially in America. Due to this, it is essential to consider new and innovative legislative or regulatory approaches to address this pressing public health concern. While traditional policies such as increased taxes and zoning restrictions are crucial and could lead to a healthier America, an innovative strategy may be necessary. This paper will discuss legislative suggestions that could lead to change.
A nutritional labeling overhaul is the first approach that could have a positive effect. Current labeling doesn’t have enough guidelines and regulations. Rolling out new labeling guidelines that require 95% of product ingredients to be listed instead of 70% would help to ensure individuals fully know what they are eating. This labeling system would also include a three-tier system based on nutrition. Green, yellow, and red colored circles would be placed on very healthy, moderately healthy, and unhealthy/ultra-processed foods, respectively, for individuals to determine how nutritious a food is quickly. It could be challenging to determine baselines for each color; however, if a baseline were to be figured out, this system could help people make massive changes to their diets. Introducing this change through informative campaigns would enhance public understanding and informed food-buying choices.
My second idea is to re-work health insurance to provide coverage based on BMI or nutrition. While BMI is not a concrete way to measure one’s nutrition, if some form of baseline nutrition test or survey was constructed, insurance companies could use discounted rates for healthier individuals as incentives. By incentivizing a healthier lifestyle through discounts, individuals would likely aim to eat healthier and save money.
Another plan is to subsidize farmers and manufacturers that produce nutritious food. By implementing subsidies for individuals producing healthier food options, these options could become more affordable and accessible. This would assist individuals in deciding to choose these healthier options over cheap, processed, unhealthy foods.
Another way we could attempt to fight the obesity epidemic is through subsidies to towns and cities. These subsidies would plant community-driven food gardens and promote growing your food. If individuals grow their food, they are more likely to be food-conscious and make additional healthy eating choices.
Since most kids don’t read nutrition labels, nor could they participate in most before-mentioned proposals, schools are another place that need change. A mandatory, comprehensive health program should be mandatory in every school. It should include education on why healthy eating is essential and required physical activity. By mandating this course and incorporating cooking classes, nutrition workshops, and physical education into it, kids will have the foundation to make informed nutritional decisions throughout the rest of their lives.
In conclusion, many different legislative approaches could assist in transforming societal norms toward healthier ones. By reworking nutritional labels and health insurance, providing subsidies to those aiding in healthy living, and providing educational material to the future adults of America, we can work to combat the growing obesity epidemic and facilitate a healthier society for our future.
(not sure why but my computer decides to capitalize I’s in If and it randomly and I can’t fix It.)