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What new or revised public policy/law would make it easier for people to maintain a healthy weight?
Copper_Boom
Posts: 85 Member
in Debate Club
Or prevent obesity?
From a maintenance perspective, I wish calorie disclosure would go further. I would like to see mandatory calorie counts for all restaurants and shops selling food items, regardless of number of locations. Not to the extent of sending food to a lab for measurement, but at least calculating calories for all the ingredients and dividing by their serving size.
From a maintenance perspective, I wish calorie disclosure would go further. I would like to see mandatory calorie counts for all restaurants and shops selling food items, regardless of number of locations. Not to the extent of sending food to a lab for measurement, but at least calculating calories for all the ingredients and dividing by their serving size.
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Replies
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I think we have enough laws already.
People just need to take some personal responsibility. Anyone who's made it past fourth grade should be able to figure this out.
Eat less. Take a walk. Ta Da.111 -
Seconded on calorie flippin' disclosure. I'm pretty good at guessing, but it's one reason I don't like to eat out often. Except at coffee shops that put that information front and centre.34
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Calorie disclosure is all that really comes to mind for me. I've thought and read about initiatives to make healthier choices available, but that seems a bit of a dead end to me as when all is said and done, a person is going to choose what they want and not what someone else legislates/decides is good for a person.
I would just love to know what that awesome Chimichanga I plan on this weekend is going to cost me though.22 -
New to this and absolutely agree. I've just eaten sushi for lunch from the counter of my local supermarket.... No nutritional info attached. So, now I've guessed but would like to plan the calories in my dinner according to more than a guess!12
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I would love for changes to take place in regards to food and drinks consumed by children. I see children drinking large, frozen drinks from Starbucks, for example. These drinks can be so caloric and easily be 1/3 or more of a child's daily caloric need. And obviously this isn't the only food and drink establishment that serves very high calorie products to kids, just one example.
I don't know if it's a matter of parents being unaware of calories in general or maybe thinking a frozen beverage is somehow less calories than an ice cream sundae.
I would love to see some type of literature/poster in places like Starbucks that illustrate caloric needs of children and what happens when they eat too high calories over a period of time. This could include information on diabetes and other illnesses typically caused by being overweight.23 -
Speaking of calorie disclosure, there is NO POINT in putting 'nutritional values per 100g' information on a snack pack that is clearly not 100g, and not telling me how big the snack pack is, I'm looking at you Starbucks.
(You can find the information on the website, but why not on the pack?!)
Ultimately, though, I don't think there's much you can do to legislate people's choices. You can only legislate to make some choices easier, or to make the choices more informed.46 -
cmriverside wrote: »I think we have enough laws already.
People just need to take some personal responsibility. Anyone who's made it past fourth grade should be able to figure this out.
Eat less. Take a walk. Ta Da.
My point is, if that had not been labeled on the menu I would never have guessed more than 700 at absolute most just by looking at it. I'm pretty responsible, but guesstimating calories..well...we all know how that can work out.37 -
I agree with calorie disclosures. Be happy for what you have in the US though. I live in a country with zero calorie disclosure requirements so I end up with a ton of guess work.
Also, pushing development of more park space with sports fields, outdoor exercise equipment, walking and biking space, etc. This helps everybody, but especially those who can't afford a gym. That's one thing I feel is done well in my country. Lots of freely available tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, along with biking and running tracks. Most of the parks have outdoor exercise equipment as well.
Ultimately though, no amount of public policy or laws can man people eat healthy and choose to get fit. There always has to be individual initiative. But that doesn't mean that things can't be done to assist in that.20 -
Single payer healthcare, including nurse visits and dietitians.
32 hour workweek.
Investment in mass transit systems over highways
Longer school day with mandatory % of time in recess/PE/sports
Tax breaks for companies that buy desk bikes/treadmills, provide a cafeteria, or pay for gym memberships or onsite doctor visits, transit cards, bike racks, etc.
Increase the percentage of open space, bike trails, etc. in development codes.
Building codes that require open staircases under a certain story height? (People are more likely to use the stairs if they are big and visible vs. hidden behind a door looking like they're for emergencies only.)
78 -
I can't think of anything I would actually mandate, but I would love to see more areas focusing on increasing "walkability." I've lived in all types of places and I now live in an area where it is very easy and safe to walk. It makes a huge difference in my activity level.39
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I think the only things that can be implemented at this point are with children. Keep physical activity class in schools, and help make school lunches healthier. And educate the children better. Even if their parents don't give them healthy food at home, it will ensure at least one meal a day is nutritious. Having the school health teacher offer free nutrition classes to families might help too. A lot of people don't understand that every person is different, and the same diet/exercise plan won't work universally. "Eat less. walk more" - what an insensitive post. It's not that simple for a lot of people. Genetics plays a huge role, and budget does too. Helping families understand affordable healthy alternatives, what packed lunches would be most healthy and nutritious could go a long way in creating lifelong healthy eating habits for children.
As for calorie counts on food and at restaurants, more and more research is proving that total calorie count is only one part of the equation. Other macros like fat, carbs, fiber, sugar, and protein, as well as WHEN you eat what, are equally as important.
I wouldn't want the job of the people trying to figure out this health/obesity epidemic right now. It is all just so complex. Best of luck to all trying!48 -
lalalacroix wrote: »I would love for changes to take place in regards to food and drinks consumed by children. I see children drinking large, frozen drinks from Starbucks, for example. These drinks can be so caloric and easily be 1/3 or more of a child's daily caloric need. And obviously this isn't the only food and drink establishment that serves very high calorie products to kids, just one example.
I don't know if it's a matter of parents being unaware of calories in general or maybe thinking a frozen beverage is somehow less calories than an ice cream sundae.
I would love to see some type of literature/poster in places like Starbucks that illustrate caloric needs of children and what happens when they eat too high calories over a period of time. This could include information on diabetes and other illnesses typically caused by being overweight.
A few times in summer I've seen a "mini" size for the frappucinos. Those should be available year round. It's a small enough size to be a decent treat for a kid (obviously a non-caffeinated one).8 -
Full disclosure of calories for all edible foods. Aside from that no more soda for NYC. HA HA Joking.
Seriously, We do have too many laws already.9 -
RowingBill wrote: »Full disclosure of calories for all edible foods. Aside from that no more soda for NYC. HA HA Joking.
Seriously, We do have too many laws already.
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Speaking of calorie disclosure, there is NO POINT in putting 'nutritional values per 100g' information on a snack pack that is clearly not 100g, and not telling me how big the snack pack is, I'm looking at you Starbucks.
(You can find the information on the website, but why not on the pack?!)
I agree. And let's take that one step further and call a product that is clearly one serving, one serving. For example, I picked up a tiny premade cheesecake to see if I could afford the calories. It was a little piece that probably most people would eat as a single serving. However, the nutritional info stated that it had 4 servings. To me the only purpose of that would be to appear to have less calories than it did.
Transparency and simplicity would be helpful.40 -
FireOpalCO wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »I would love for changes to take place in regards to food and drinks consumed by children. I see children drinking large, frozen drinks from Starbucks, for example. These drinks can be so caloric and easily be 1/3 or more of a child's daily caloric need. And obviously this isn't the only food and drink establishment that serves very high calorie products to kids, just one example.
I don't know if it's a matter of parents being unaware of calories in general or maybe thinking a frozen beverage is somehow less calories than an ice cream sundae.
I would love to see some type of literature/poster in places like Starbucks that illustrate caloric needs of children and what happens when they eat too high calories over a period of time. This could include information on diabetes and other illnesses typically caused by being overweight.
A few times in summer I've seen a "mini" size for the frappucinos. Those should be available year round. It's a small enough size to be a decent treat for a kid (obviously a non-caffeinated one).
I believe Starbucks is always willing to sell you a smaller size than what is shown on the menus. I don't go often, but when I do I am always getting the very smallest and it's never listed an an option on the menu.4 -
It's easy to know how many calories are in your food if you eat at chain restaurants, since they all have calories listed. Before I go to a restaurant, I check the restaurant meals' calories online at their nutrition website, and enter that into MFP. But, privately owned restaurants probably don't even have the money to hire someone to calculate all their food ingredients, especially when they change the menu frequently or have new specials each day. I stick to mostly chain restaurants for that reason. But, if I do eat at a privately owned restaurant on occasion, I just eat carefully. And I don't stress about it. I have 67 lbs off now, so it's working.
My bigger concern is insurance companies (specifically Medicare, which is for elderly and disabled people) not paying for obese people to see dietitians. Obesity is now considered a disease, yet they only want to pay for diet pills or surgery. It's disgusting to me that they won't pay for us to lose weight naturally and healthily with the help of a dietitian.9 -
lalalacroix wrote: »Speaking of calorie disclosure, there is NO POINT in putting 'nutritional values per 100g' information on a snack pack that is clearly not 100g, and not telling me how big the snack pack is, I'm looking at you Starbucks.
(You can find the information on the website, but why not on the pack?!)
I agree. And let's take that one step further and call a product that is clearly one serving, one serving. For example, I picked up a tiny premade cheesecake to see if I could afford the calories. It was a little piece that probably most people would eat as a single serving. However, the nutritional info stated that it had 4 servings. To me the only purpose of that would be to appear to have less calories than it did.
Transparency and simplicity would be helpful.
Seconded. The number of times I've picked up a little pot of salad at the supermarket, perfectly sized for lunch, and discovered that it's actually supposedly two servings. Ahahaha, no. Please stop it with cheating on serving sizes so that you can pretend the calories are lower; if you want to list lower calories, maybe you could add less oil/mayo?20 -
FireOpalCO wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »I would love for changes to take place in regards to food and drinks consumed by children. I see children drinking large, frozen drinks from Starbucks, for example. These drinks can be so caloric and easily be 1/3 or more of a child's daily caloric need. And obviously this isn't the only food and drink establishment that serves very high calorie products to kids, just one example.
I don't know if it's a matter of parents being unaware of calories in general or maybe thinking a frozen beverage is somehow less calories than an ice cream sundae.
I would love to see some type of literature/poster in places like Starbucks that illustrate caloric needs of children and what happens when they eat too high calories over a period of time. This could include information on diabetes and other illnesses typically caused by being overweight.
A few times in summer I've seen a "mini" size for the frappucinos. Those should be available year round. It's a small enough size to be a decent treat for a kid (obviously a non-caffeinated one).
My sister used to get her kids one small strawberry cream drink and have them split it into 2 cups. And my 11 year old daughter just gets the smallest size possible during the rare Starbucks visits. But we consider health and calories for our children. I think a lot of parents just somehow aren't aware.4 -
I think we have enough laws for the most part. As far as policy goes, I'd like to see communities develop infrastructure that promotes a healthy lifestyle. I live in a small rural community in Texas. The county road systems are wonderful for cycling and we have limited traffic - that's the good part. The flip side is our towns and cities are designed for cars - not people. I deal with loose (biting) dogs all the time because city ordinances aren't enforced. City streets have a lot of junk near the curb. We don't have bike lanes. You get the idea. Many folks just won't take a walk or ride their bike because they don't feel safe. We also need kinder neighborhoods where children (actually their parents) feel it's safe to be outside and play or ride a bike.
Edit: I know all of this is expensive. But what's the cost of obesity to our communities and our countries?23
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