NY’s mayor Bloomberg plan to ban LARGE SIZE SODA in NY and limit it to 16oz max per container to deal with Obesity.
Ontario govt has already banned all Trans Fat (and sodas) sell in school so all vending machines now have “healthy” juices, milk and what not instead of sodas.
Question is
Can this be done? (can you fight obesity by this?)
and even bigger question is SHOULD it be done? are we becoming too much of a nanny state? Shouldn’t we leave it to personal decision?
does it make any difference if Govt is the healthcare provider (as in ON) vs private insurance?
Do we have any such local laws anywhere in Europe?
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
If the government has enough scientific proof that some foods are detrimental to the general well being of the population, I feel it is the duty of the government to post guidelines and regulations. The plan is to ban large size soda but there is no limit as to how many sodas a person can buy. Similarly even if school vending machines have healthy options , I don't think the school authorities will examine and moderate the lunches the kids bring from home. At the end of the day , it is up to the individual to do the right thing.
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
If they ban the bigger size of soda, can I not have two cans of the smaller size? :/
I don't think there's a need to implement laws/bans about what you can and cannot eat ... at least not for adults. They can have all the supersize McDonalds meals they want and be as lazy as they want, you can't make it a rule that they must workout for an hour everyday. Why don't they ban smoking too then, isn't smoking killing more than obesity?
But one thing I do support is the healthy eating awareness campaigns in schools. Stop selling all unhealthy stuff in schools so in a way you're forcing kids to eat healthy. There may be some who will still bring in sodas, junk etc from home but overall you'll be encouraging and promoting healthy eating. And healthy foods aren't boring, there's much more to it than just fruits and veggies.
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
that is pretty much the debate we have been arguing over during my lectures on Diabetes.
to be honest, I doubt it would make much of a difference. Yes, it might cut sales of soda sugary drinks but it wouldn't be the wonder solution for fighting obesity.
It would have been better, had the Govt levied fat taxes in combination with subsidized rates on healthy and organic foodstuff. What needs to be revolutionised is the entire food industry. Give them loads of incentives to come up with healthier alternatives.
Also adding to this topics, do you think that labelling calories helps? How many of you actually look at calories when ordering food or buying stuff? Does it alter your decision on buying particular stuff?
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
^ Actually, sometimes it does. It's like... ok u know that burger or sundae is going to be alot of calories, but when you see it right there, that one dessert is upwards of 800-1000 calories, it would put you off more often than not.
but then in the end it's all about your mindset too. If I'm determined to eat that dessert, then I can choose to ignore that calorie count.
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
Also adding to this topics, do you think that labelling calories helps? How many of you actually look at calories when ordering food or buying stuff? Does it alter your decision on buying particular stuff?
at times I actually do. For example, when I am pressed on time during lunch, I just have Orange Juice and a pack of chips with minimum calories ! :)
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
Unrelated, but Pakistan has tried several times to change behavior by laws. For example, ban on wedding dinners to stop waste of food, and banning Basant celeberation to avoid injuries. Have any of those efforts been successful?
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
As Bcue said having regulations for schools is a good thing. Kids do deserve protection from toxic foods and access to healthy food.
The party against big govt criticizes such efforts mocks michelle obama for promoting healthy food. While they have access to best health care and send their kids to private schools and provide healthy food to their children.
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
Unrelated, but Pakistan has tried several times to change behavior by laws. For example, ban on wedding dinners to stop waste of food, and banning Basant celeberation to avoid injuries. Have any of those efforts been successful?
pakistan mein waise hi log laws ki kamm hi care karte hain ...these kind of laws would work in more law abiding societies
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
that is pretty much the debate we have been arguing over during my lectures on Diabetes.
to be honest, I doubt it would make much of a difference. Yes, it might cut sales of soda sugary drinks but it wouldn't be the wonder solution for fighting obesity.
It would have been better, had the Govt levied fat taxes in combination with subsidized rates on healthy and organic foodstuff. What needs to be revolutionised is the entire food industry. Give them loads of incentives to come up with healthier alternatives.
Also adding to this topics, do you think that labelling calories helps? How many of you actually look at calories when ordering food or buying stuff? Does it alter your decision on buying particular stuff?
I think BOTH actions need to be taken. Reducing access to oversized products and increasing access to healthy food.
As far as labelling calories - I do think it helps. I personally compare product labels and that's one of the things that's encouraged by nutrition experts. Someone with Diabetes eg can take advantage of that when they are eating out. The most important reason I believe labels should provide such information is because consumers should have the ability to make informed choices. Ofcourse govt can't control how much someone eats but they can give one the tools needed to make proper decisions.
I also agree with BBQ I fully support the ban of vending machines and such in schools. What's also great is the cafeterias are now offering healthier meals with salads etc.
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law....
lol, if people think that elementary and highschoolers are going to make the RIGHT choice when being presented with healthy and bad snacks, then really who are we kidding?
I say put all the healthy foods in there and get all the junk out.
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law…
While I think “bans” are absurd, I do see the need for aggressive information campaigns… perhaps even higher taxes on some food items - Denmark is one of the first countries to impose a levy on fatty foods with the amount of tax proportional to the percentage of saturated fat in foods.
For countries with a publicly funded healthcare system, the government is within its rights to inform and encourage the public to adopt good eating habits and discourage them from consuming foods that contribute to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Besides, there is ample research showing that sugar is addictive - with some endocrinologists comparing sugar to cocaine.
Why shouldn’t the govt. try to curb the consumption of sugar then?
Like I said, bans may be excessive, but aggressive information campaigns and some tax levies are fair IMO.
Re: Social engineering or changing behavior by law…
Lol…that’s cz it’s one “day”… whereas those big gulp sodas are sold everyday…so one can argue, that you can eat a donut, for one day…that’s moderation..but those big huge gulp drinks are there to be had everyday.
I’m a soda addict, that I am, but I’m in favor of this ban. I get wanting to eat desserts and other fatty foods, but there is really no reason ANYONE should drink 64 ounces of anything (except water)!
