This makes any kind of initiatives much less effective over the long-term.
The Impact of the Programs
The impact of anti-obesity programs is that they are doing little to address the problem. The biggest reason why these programs are not working is because of a one size fits all approach when it comes to weight loss and health. This is challenging, as the body will lose weight in different amounts and the results will not be obvious for a while. This causes the person, to feel that any kind of efforts to deal with these challenges is a waste of time (which eventually leads to the same type of destructive habits as in the past).
Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than a study that was conducted by Cal Poly Tech. They found that most people are currently aware of the problems associated with poor diet. According to the lead researcher and economist on the project (Michael Marlow), there is a treasure trove of information about obesity and how to prevent it with him saying, "The massive (and growing) sales of diet books, health foods, and other weight loss products -- plus efforts by employers and insurance companies to create a slimmer risk pool -- as evidence that people are already well aware of the problem. They already have strong incentives to correct it, and are experimenting with a wide variety of strategies. Nobody's doing an especially good job at the moment, but that goes for government just as much (if not more) than individuals. Why ignore all the desperate private efforts at slimming down? Paternalists appear to disregard market attempts to deal with obesity, since its prevalence offers them latitude to overstate the effectiveness of interventions." ("Your Fat and You Know it ") This is important in showing how the current efforts to deal with obesity are failing to address the root causes of the problem.
As a result, a new approach must be taken that will change the way food...
At the same time, every person who is obese will need to receive one on one attention that will help to address their psychological issues (which are impacting the success of the program). If this kind of approach can be taken, it will help to reduce the chances of someone become frustrated with these lifestyle changes. After they have seen some success and do not have access to the same kinds of foods, is when they will be able to keep the weight off. ("Strategies to Overcome Obesity")
Conclusion
Clearly, the obesity problem is major challenge that public health officials have been continuing to deal with. The main focus of current initiatives in addressing these issues is: to have increased education / intervention programs, improved labeling and regulation of food preparation techniques. In general, these programs have failed because they are not dealing with the root causes of the problem. This makes any kind of efforts to have limited results (which causes the obesity rates to increase). To prevent the situation from becoming worse, an approach must be taken that: changes the way food is prepared, the kind of ingredients that are used and it needs to tackle the lingering psychological issues within the individual. Until this takes place, the chances are high that the current trends will become worse with: programs that offer no hope of addressing the individual and social causes of obesity.
Works Cited
"Coping and Support." Mayo Clinic, 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2012
"F as in Fat." Healthy Americans, 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2012
"Obesity Rates in the U.S." Fit Sugar, 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2012
"Strategies to Overcome Obesity." Health Policy and Market, 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2012
"Your Fat and You Know it." The Atlantic, 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2012
MLA Format. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
