Over the past few years, the number of people with obesity has increased tremendously compared to the past. This issue is brought about by several factors, and a combination of solutions should be taken to tackle those.
There are a number of factors contributing to the rise of obesity, which are a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. First, a poor diet is one of the main factors. This is because most people like the convenience of ultra-processed food due to the hectic lifestyle which they can’t afford to cook at home. Another contributing factor is a sedentary lifestyle. As a matter of fact, the technological development has encouraged people to stay at home, watching tv or surfing through social media instead of spending time doing outdoor activities. The evolution also reduces domestic duties around the home by replacing them with machines, which leads to the lack of physical activities. This, together with people’s tendency to over-consume food, will make them more prone to obesity, resulting in other serious health conditions.
To address this problem, several viable solutions should be implemented by the governments. One of the most promising solutions is the government imposing higher tax on ultra-processed food, which makes up the main part of people’s diet. By doing so, the price of ultra-processed food increased, so the consumption of this type of food is likely to decline. However, this measurement may encounter opposition from the public. As a matter of fact, this type of food is widely popular and readily available at an affordable price. By increasing its price, people who are food-insecure might resort to other lower-priced options which are harmful to their health. As a consequence, they might find themselves facing from several health issues in the long run.
In conclusion, a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are two main reasons responsible for the growth of obesity. However, the government levying increased taxes on ultra-processed food is believed to well-handle this problem.