Abstract
Obesity can be described as the medical condition which is attained by the consumption of extra nutrients that is not required by the body. This causes the in take of extra calories that are stored in the body as fat.
Key words
Obesity, Government social policy
Introduction
Obesity is predominantly experienced by the older population in the country due to the reduction in their metabolism as they continue to age. Australia is one of the heaviest countries in the world and the rate of obesity is expected to have doubled in the next five years (Keller, 2008).Current Government (Federal and/or State/Territory) social policy responses
The government is responsible for monitoring the situation of obesity so as to control the increasing rates .One of the ways in which they do this is by coming up with policies that are used as standard measurements for the countries consumption of specific foods .The government therefore targets foods such as meat, salt vegetable oil and soft drinks which if not eaten in moderation can become a serious health risk (Kopelman, 2005).
The implementation of the policies is carried out by the Federal and State governments who have adopted policies form the World Health Organization. Most of these polities discourage the use of unhealthy foods such as junk food which is widely consumed by the economy due to its fast paced lifestyle (Kolata, 2007).
One of the rules that is yet to be enforced is the limiting of advertisements of junk food by banning these advertisement from airing in peak hours .If this law is put in place most of the companies that advertise their products would reduce their –promotion of the consumption of this foods which are the leading cause the increase in the heart rate.
The social policy problem
The problem with this social policy is that the governments are taking long to enforce the proposed law. This has led to children being exposed to these advertisements in televisions and social networks which is the new form of advertising.
The government should not only adopt policies that would control the obesity situation buy ensuring that they carry out proper implementation of the policies. This can be acquired by introducing agents who are hands on in the monitoring of policies that have been implemented (Pool, 2001).
How would I advocate to the public
I would advocate for not only the banning of the advertisements but the introduction of health education classes that can be included in the curriculum so as to educate the nation of the dangers of the consumption of junk food.
I would also encourage people to take on an activity such as jogging or joining the Gymnasium so that they can supplement the consumption of healthy foods with the exercise which is burns up calories and thus promotes weight loss.
Conclusion
Obesity is one of the leading causes of death in the country. One of the major problems that the government is facing is the inability to control the personal decisions that the population makes .In order to control this problem the government alongside with the health organizations should instill a lifestyle that encourages the healthy consumption of food by the nation.
References
Fumento, M., 2007. The Fat of the Land: Our Health Crises and How Overweight Americans can Help Themselves. New York: Penguin Books.
Keller, K., 2008. Encyclopedia of Obesity. Thousand Oaks. California: Sage Publications Inc.
Kolata, G.,2007. Rethinking Thin: The new science of weight loss – and the myths and realities of dieting. Brisbane:Picador Inc .
Kopelman, P., 2005. Clinical obesity in adults and children: In Adults and Children. Sydney:Blackwell Publishing.
Pool, R.,2001. Fat: Fighting the Obesity Epidemic. Oxford. UK: Oxford University Press.
