Evolution has taught humanity to eat as much as possible. Many years ago, the lack of food and the inability to store it for long periods led humans to develop a survival strategy: consume everything edible around us immediately. Evolution made eating a pleasurable experience; food triggers the production of endorphins, which make us happy. However, nowadays, there are an abundance of products in wealthy countries, far more than necessary. This, combined with the evolutionary principles described above, contributes to the growing problem of childhood obesity.
Studies show a dramatic increase in the average child’s weight, prompting concern about children’s health. One of the most common suggestions is for adults to change their own lifestyles first, such as starting to exercise and being more mindful of their eating habits. Due to the well-known phenomenon that children often mirror their parents, such behavior would positively affect both kids’ and adults’ health. Moreover, parents should control their children’s consumption of junk food. It is important not to restrict everything too harshly in the name of parenting, while also explaining the harm of unhealthy foods and moderating excessive eating.
In addition to families supporting their children, governments also have a vested interest in national well-being. They could, for example, invest in children’s sports clubs, organize more local sporting events, and emphasize the importance of healthy habits in municipal primary schools. Governments could even incentivize sports participation by providing privileges to athletes. For instance, Russian universities consider sports achievements to be a significant advantage for applicants.
In conclusion, I believe that both individuals and governments should work diligently to encourage the younger generation to be kinder and more mindful in order to tackle the problem of obesity. Unfortunately, evolution currently works against us.