The New York Times has recently reported that obesity surpassed hunger in top global health risks, especially among children. In my opinion, what paves the way for this issue includes imbalanced diets and insufficient exercises, which can be best mitigated by governmental actions.
The challenges faced in meeting nutritional needs and engaging in physical activities give rise to a disturbingly high number of obese children. Admittedly, the root cause of obesity lies in unhealthy diets with dishes that contain high fat but are extremely low in essential micronutrients and fibre. Kids’ ultimate favorite junk food like fried chicken and burgers are usually sold in combos, wrapped in colorful packaging, and always preferred over homemade, nutritious meals. In addition, what worsens the number of obese kids across the globe is inadequate involvement in exercises and sports. This sentiment finds resonance in this digital age, where youngsters can sit or lie in front of electronic devices for hours watching attractive online content instead of going for a jog in a beautiful, sunny afternoon.
To alleviate this increasing trend of overweight children, certain governmental measures should be mapped out to manage children’s diets and foster physical exercises. There should be regulations placed on kids’ portions at all restaurants to help lower their calories intake. The amount of fat, sodium, and other nutrients must meet governments’ requirements for children in a certain age range. In addition, governments should make it mandatory for all students from grade 1 to 12 to take Physical Education courses and participate in at least one sports club after school. Children cannot desist from involvement as physical activities now become a compulsory part of the curriculum.
In conclusion, unproportionate diets and insufficient exercises can act as a catalyst for the substantial increase in the obesity rate among children, and governmental counter-measures like nutrient regulations for kids’ meals and mandatory physical activities at schools can help ameliorate this issue.