Governments Fight Obesity

Some experts believe that the government must play a large role in the fight against obesity. For example, the government can put pressure on neighborhood designers to get them to create plans that provide for more walking and bike paths in neighborhoods. These plans could put grocery stores, and other frequented neighborhood sites within a reasonable walking distance of residential areas. The government could also emphasize the importance of fighting obesity. And, fortunately, governments are becoming more proactive in the fight against obesity.

The U.S. federal government has indicated that it will increase funding to fight obesity. Further, the government has indicated that one of the important elements in the overhaul of the current health care system would be an initiative to boost the consumption of more nutritious food.

In addition to the federal government's increased activity in the fight against obesity, state governments are joining the fight. The Virginia state government has completed legislation to change the name of the "Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation" to the "Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth." With the name change, the organization broadens its mission to fight childhood obesity, in addition to smoking.

In Ohio, the state government is working on legislation for "healthy choices for healthy children." The legislation will promote increased physical activity, physical education, and enhance the nutritional value of the food children eat in school.

As we can see, attention is being given to childhood obesity by governments. Although the federal or a local government can take action to combat childhood obesity, the fight against childhood obesity must begin in the home. And parents have the greatest influence on a child during the child's childhood.

Since obesity can be an impediment to future success, parents should be interested in joining the obesity fight. Bariatric or weight loss centers could work with parents in the community to educate them on the best procedures to use to help children maintain a healthy weight. This collaboration could help the community, and enhance a weight loss center’s local reputation.

Indeed, collaboration between weight loss centers and governments -- federal, state and local -- might be one of the best ways to beat overweight and obesity during childhood and adulthood.

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environmental scanning, strategic management, competitive analysis, strategic planning