Obesity seems to be a growing concern, particularly in England and America. Obesity in young children seems to be an even bigger concern. Some people beleive that it is the parents fault, for letting their children eat 'Junk food.' Some people think that the fast food industry is to blame, for advertising their foods without mentioning that it is in-fact an un-healthy option. But whose fault is it really?

.:.Parents.:.
I understand why people think that the parents could be to blame, they should be aware of the content in foods such as McDonalds, or Burger king. Because the kids may not be aware, the parents should be responsible for making sure that their children get the nutrition they need, and that they are healthy. But is it really the parents fault? When their children are out with friends, they may choose to go to a fast food restaraunt for dinner, the parents cannot be at fault if the children are out with friends, they cannot possibly keep their children in sight at all times, children need freedom (To a certain extent.) So lets explore the other possibilities.

.:.Fast Food Industry.:.
Many people blame the fast food industry. They should warn people in the adverts, that the food they produce is of high fat/salt content. Children today aren't aware of the dangers of junk food. They don't necessarily choose to eat junk food because it tastes nicer, but more the way it is promoted. Children see eating as a social occasion; and children see the contradiction between what is promoted in theory and what adults provide in practice. Children do not see it as their role to be interested in health; children do not see messages about future health as personally relevant or credible; fruit, vegetables and confectionery have very different meanings for children; children actively seek ways to exercise their own choices with regard to food.

.:.The Children.:.
Whilst most people believe that it is the parents, or the fast food industry that are to blame, there are a few who beleive it is the childrens fault. It should be their responsibility to check what they are eating, and be aware of the risks. Most children are aware of the risks, but then choose to have the food anyway. The fast food industry provide the food, btu don't we all have the power to say 'No'? Aren't we all responsible for our own health? We are not obliged to buy the food, just because it is there. The fast food industry only produce the food, but this does not mean that the children MUST gorge themselves.

Obesity is a growing concern, and there are many theories as to why the numbers of obese children are growing. There is no real answer to this dabat, but I would love for this topic to turn into a debate, and we can hear different views from different people.

Thank you.

I don't think the people behind fast foods and their ads can really be blamed. They are here to make a living. If they wanted to advocate healthy lifestyles for the sake of the people, they would have gone to do something else. Besides, I don't think warning people actually works. In my country, a lot of people like to eat oily greasy food from roadside stalls although we know perfectly well that it is unhealthy and sometimes, unhygienic. People go for what appeals to their stomach when it comes to food, not what appeals to logic.

Perhaps the best solution would be to educate children from a young age in school about healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. You can eat fast food and not get fat, if incorporate enough exercise into your lifestyle. I do agree that parents are also largely to blame. They should educate their children too and not indulge in their children and let them have whatever they want. Then again, some parents are fans of fast food and other unhealthy foods themselves.

I agree that the parents should educate their children as to the dangers of fast food, and should not give in as easily. But when they say obesity in young children, they don't just mean little tots. Anyone up to the age of 16 is still considered a child, and so teens often contribute widely to the number of obese children.

At this age the parents cannot be to blame, it is reccomended that you give teenagers freedom, and let them go out. If this happens, the parents cannot be blamed for giving in to their children when it comes to fast foods, because they are not there to be asked.

It would be great if they taught children from a young age about the dangers of fast foods, maybe a topic in science. This would make children think about what they are eating before cramming it into their mouths.

The morbidly obese children are the ones who are fed the fast food from a young age at home by parents. And you can't blame them. Fast food is cheap and tasty food that young children enjoy, more importantly it's cheap. This means people on a low income can afford to feed their families.

Solution?

Tax fast-food and use the money to subsidise healthier foods or lift some of the taxes on oil or alcohol. Not the most popular solution but it will make healthy foods cheap and more desirable for poorer families.

Also, if you ban ads for fast-food like they've done for cigarettes, then you decrease the demand by children for fast-food products. (Unfortunately, if you do this, the laws of supply and demand tell you that fast-food will become cheaper and increase the parents' want to buy it!)

I agree that maybe the price should be raised so as to promote healthy food options, or better yet, lower the price of healthy foods. The children at that age cannot be to blame for obesity, I suppose. But like I said, there is no correct answer.

This debate has been going on for many years, and still no conclusion has been reached. I suppose it depends on each child in question, as to whose fault. But to be honest, I think people are making way to big a fuss over it. Its up to the child/parents (depending on age off child) to look after them, the government needn't get involved, if I'm honest.

Thanks for replying, I'd love for more people to show their opinions.

Thanks.

You see, this where the socialist side of me kicks in. If you look at various points in history where people have disagreed with governments intervening with the welfare of the people, it turns out that in the end intervention was the right thing to do.

Example :: Liberal Reforms, UK, 1906 - 1914

The UK was in serious poverty and someone needed to do something. The Labour Party promised help and the Liberals were worried they'd lose votes to them so they introduced a series of Reforms to keep the punters happy. These reforms included helping children, the unemployed, the elderly and the sick. They were popular with everyone but the rich, the House of Lords and the Opposition. However, nowadays the government giving out benefits like this is applauded; in order words, it is acknowledged that the government should interfere with the welfare of the people.

SO, let's NOT make the same mistake this time. Parents are poor, fast-food is cheap. Spot the link! Parents know full-well the dangers of this food but it's a choice between cheap food or starvation. If they were your children, what would you choose?

You want the problem solved, this is how you solve it!

I totally see where you are coming from, the government wouldn't have a job if it didn't need to be enforced, but surely in the case of obesity, frankly if they decide (klnowing the risks) that they wish to idulge in fatty foods, and gorge themselves, then quite frankly, its their fault.

I understand that its fast, affordable, and easy, but you can make meals for a lot less if you are willing to put some work into cooking, and not just resorting to the unhealthy option. Those who are un-willing to try, and put some effort in, don't deserve help, they are aware of the risks, they should be the one to take action.

I know that sounds harsh, and perhaps it is, but I think if people have a problem with being fat, or any other aspect of their looks, then its up to them to fix it. Either go to the gym often, (Or just excercise casually with friends, E.G. Football) and/or dont eat as much fast food. Theres nothing wrong with fast food, but its like the Greeks said, all things in moderation.

thanks.

My apologies for not replying, Windows XP went mad after I tried a technique I found on the Internet to improve my computer's speed (guess I had it coming I suppose )



Smokers know the risk of starting smoking: does that mean, then, that in the UK the NHS should not provide stop-smoking clinics for addicts and that adverts for cigarettes should not be banned? Despite, people knowing the risks, the government has intervened.



A typical family has two parents who work from 9.30am - 5pm and get home at 6pm, tired and exhausted. They don't have the energy to make proper to dinner some of them. It's a lot easier to eat fast-food or stick something in the microwave. I can assure you that 500g of mincemeat; a few carrots, new potatoes and a broccoli is more expensive than a Big Mac and chips.




The typical cold-blooded capitalist. People who are upset by being fat and are still eating fast-food are heading for depression. You've got to stop these seemingly petty issues before they develop otherwise you will have a much greater problem on your hands. And depression is terrible, takes years to get out off and leaves a permanent scar on your memory.