It is believed that increasing obesity rates among the younger generation is the government’s duty. I strongly agree with this viewpoint, although family influence undoubtedly plays a significant role.
Modern food environments are largely created and regulated by government authorities. In many countries, unhealthy food, one of the key reasons behind childhood obesity, is not only cheap and widely available but also aggressively marketed to children through celebrity endorsements, television advertisements and social media platforms. Since young children are particularly vulnerable to persuasive advertising as they lack maturity to distinguish between marketing tactics and genuine nutritional value, they are easily attracted to sugary snacks, fast food meals and high-calorie beverages that gradually damage their health. However, governments are in the best position to create healthier food environments because they possess the legal authority to regulate advertising, impose sugar taxes and restrict the sales of unhealthy products near schools.
Additionally, schools, which are controlled by public authorities, can shape children’s habits. Children spend a considerable proportion of their daily lives at school, meaning that educational institutions directly influence their eating patterns, physical activity levels, and overall awareness of health-related issues. Unfortunately, in many regions, physical education receives insufficient attention, while school cafeterias continue to provide unhealthy meals filled with excessive fats, salt, and sugar. If governments genuinely prioritised children’s health, they could redesign school systems to promote healthier lifestyles. For example, authorities could make daily physical education compulsory, prohibit junk food sales within school premises, and provide balanced, nutritious meals for students.
Nevertheless, opponents contend that parents should remain primarily responsible for their children’s health because they control household habits and dietary choices. While it is true that parents decide what food is purchased and how meals are prepared, many families today work long hours and struggle financially, making cheap processed food a more practical option than healthier alternatives, which are often expensive and time-consuming to prepare. Additionally, parents cannot fully protect children from the constant exposure to unhealthy advertising or the lack of safe recreational spaces in their communities. Therefore, while parents certainly share responsibility, governments possess greater power to address the structural causes of childhood obesity on a national scale.
In conclusion, even though parents play an essential role in guiding their children’s lifestyle choices, governments should carry the greater responsibility for tackling childhood obesity because they control public policies, educational systems and food regulations. Without strong governmental intervention, individual efforts alone are unlikely to reverse the growing health crisis affecting younger generations. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy led by governments, alongside cooperation from families and schools, is essential to ensure that children grow up healthier and more active in the future.