In many parts of the world, obesity rates and ill health have becoming rampant. Given this, there are those who believe that the onus to resolve this issue is on the state. I personally think that governments, parents and schools should all play a part in an endeavour to help children deter such unfavourable impacts of this trend.
Admittedl, state officials should be held responsible for the burgeoning rates of childhood obesity and the decline in children’s health. The pivotal factor contributing to this is that most governments have little to no regulation over the consumption of detrimental food items, including junk food and sugary drinks, and these products have been scientifically proven to give rise to obesity. Evidence for this can be witnessed in Viet Nam, where the authorities even gave tax cuts to multiple companies that sell fast food, leading to a surge in obesity among children in this country. Aside from this, large open public spaces, such as parks and squares, where children often engage in physical activities, are being replaced by high-rise apartments, shopping malls and other developments. This happens due in large part to government policies or insufficient oversight.
Although the role that governments play in reducing childhood obesity is undeniable, parents and schools should also shoulder this responsibility. Regarding the former, they are the ones deciding what food their children consume and what activities they participate in. Thus, should more parents feed their children healthier food options and incentivize them to partake in sports and outdoor activities, we can expect to see a decline in the rate of children who are overweight and unhealthy. As for schools, they can also incorporate more PE lessons into their curricula, and organize more extracurricular activities that motivate children to be physically active. This should be done in tandem with educating them about the dangers of leading a sedentary lifestyle and consuming unhealthy foods, namely fast food and sugar-packed beverages.
In conclusion, while some voice the opinion that curbing higher levels of obesity and declining health rests with policymakers, I wholeheartedly agree that all stakeholders, including governments, parents and schools, should be responsible for addressing the obesity epidemic among children.