Obesity has become an endemic and a vital public health concern. Because the problem of obesity has many dimensions, its solution will require an approach that is interdisciplinary and which involves the cooperation of all stakeholders including the food industry, healthcare professionals, academia and the government. The consumer is a key player in establishing the solution to the problem of obesity, because the consumer can make choices about health lifestyle at the individual level. Food industry has the commitment of providing the consumer with food options that is healthy and the nutritional information which is reliable.
Obesity is a health issue that is multifaceted, and it involves behavioral, biological and environmental sources. At the core of the problem of obesity sits energy imbalance, because gaining of a lot of weight results from the consumption of more calories than one can expend (Philpson, 55). In America for instance, a changing environment has seen increased food choices and changed the habits of eating. More than a half of the American adults do not meet the moderate physical activity required levels and almost one quarter of adults does not engage in leisure time activities (Manson JE, 86). Technological advancement has led to both time and labor saving products. As a result, people have reduced the amount of energy they spend in their daily lives. Critical approaches to the reduction of weight involve the change in behavior that is related to exercise and diet. The food industry and other stakeholders including academia, government and healthcare providers need to work together towards influencing the consumer to make lifestyle choices that are healthy.
First of all, we begin with examining the role of consumers in finding a solution to obesity. Consumers are regarded as the most important players in finding a solution to obesity endemic because they do make direct and individualized choices concerning food and lifestyle. If a consumer can get influence from comprehensible information on nutrition, and a variety of healthy choices of food, perhaps it will be a beginning of individuals addressing weight gain on a personalized level (Philpson, 56). In addition to psychological and cultural influences, the motivators that affect consumer decisions have been identified and they include taste, convenience, quality and price. Although consumers make an indication that good nutrition and healthy eating are important to them, sales records and surveys carried out show that they are more concerned with convenience, taste and price. There is the existence of a gap between consumer behavior and attitude that the food industry must take into consideration. Moreover, consumers get confused from the messages that are conflicting regarding fat, protein, carbohydrates, and calories (Manson JE, 85). For consumers to contribute well to the problem of obesity, they need to have clear and reliable information to make dietary decisions that are responsible.
Secondly, food industry has a role to play in finding a solution to obesity. The food industry should come in handy towards helping consumers in making food choices that are healthy. The manufacturers of food are sensitive to the tastes and expectations of consumers. The food industry should make commitments of giving consistent, clear and honest product claims, in addition to working with retailers and even restaurants to provide consumers with relevant information concerning the products that they are purchasing (Philpson, 56). The industry of food production and supply should promote and provide nutrition education at all levels, from schools within the public to medical schools, and work towards enhancing nutrition awareness at the level of consumers. The industry can be able to create new products that are able to meet individual nutritional needs, redevise the products that are old to make them healthier, and provide portion sizes that are controlled. In so doing, the industry will face the challenge of giving satisfaction to consumer expectations for quality, taste and price (Manson JE, 87). The hope of many people is that the industry can develop products that are healthier, through partnering with the government and other communities that are science-based.
The food industry recognizes the consumer challenges that come with making food choices. Companies and establishments that deal with food production have come up with completely new products and improved favorites that existing to offer consumers a range of options of food products that are healthy. The variety within this range of healthy foods gives consumers the flexibility to satisfy various dietary needs and different lifestyles (Philpson, 54). Health Choice began some years back and it has been providing with low-calorie foods that are nutritious such as breads, deli meats, soups and deserts that have exiting seasonings and ingredients that enhance taste with no compromise to healthful benefits and nutrients. The Healthy Choice is providing customers with seasonal and monthly email newsletters, which feature, recipes, coupons and nutritional tips.
The government can also come in handy in helping eradicate obesity. In the drive to reducing obesity, the government can help in educating consumers towards making healthier choices through labeling of food, the endorsement of physical activity, and giving support to community-based programs (Manson JE, 88). The food industry should ensure good cooperation with the government to guarantee the production and distribution of low-calorie and nutritious foods. The government can ensure this is achieved through provision of incentives to food industry and also ensuring media participation through stimulating them which will promote prevention of obesity (Philpson, 58). The government should ensure a developed and stimulated support on new food technology and make an improvement in communication across all responsible parties related to food consumption.
The expertise of scientists and other healthcare professionals is very important if a solution to obesity is to be found. This expertise is expected because it is applicable within the medical field. The scientists have a unique insight and as such, they will provide data of scientific nature that will influence the decisions of the food industry and consumers (Philpson, 57). Scientists in research area can work in harmony with food industry to generate foods that are nutritious, and to promote science-based and reliable nutrition information.
In many cases, people have made jokes and fun of those people that are suffering from obesity probably due to them being overweight. The war on obesity cannot be won if people continue to stigmatize obese people. Therefore, the general population must be made to understand the conditions of obesity in a fight that is aimed at eliminating discrimination and negative social stigma that has been surrounding obesity (Philpson, 56). If this is done, everybody, including those that are obese can come out and share ideas that are aimed at eliminating obesity. This drive includes the change of public perception and understanding of obesity as a complex disease involving genes, behavior and the environment that people interact with. Personal willingness and change in healthy lifestyles alone is not enough solution in eliminating obesity (Manson JE, 85). All the conditions must be made known to those who are suffering and the surrounding community. This community should be educated on the complex nature of obesity, causes and consequences as part of the solution.
Work Cited
Lando AM, Labiner JM, Williams RA. Consumer's use of food and restaurant labeling: focus group results. US FDA Center for Food Safety and Health Nutrition, 2004.
Manson JE, Skerrett PJ, Greenland P, VanItallie TB. "The escalating pandemics of obesity and sedentary lifestyle. A call to action for clinicians. ." Arch Intern Med (2004): 248-58.
T., Philipson. "Government perspective: food labeling." Am J Clin Nutr (2005): 1720S–2S.
