Politics in food

Who has the ultimate responsibility in causing obesity? Does living into a capitalist society mean that large corporations run the way people eat and behave? Large corporations seem to define what is healthy. They have the power and the resources to do the research and put products out there that they believe will make us happy and consume their products. For example, McDonalds adding salad and yogurt to their menu, but the problem is that the products may still contain a high amount of fat. Corporations like McDonalds are also winning over their healthier counterparts such as Weight Watchers to join their side. There is this constant blame game going on in society when it comes to obesity. It all goes back to interdependence. The society and the individual have roles to play in determining what is best for their health. Individual resilience is necessary to fight the battle against obesity but it may require a supportive environment as encouragement.

It seems as though the food choices we make should not be a political issue but the fact is politics surrounds everything that we do. We will never be able to win the battle against large corporations but the government can help prevent problems by developing more programs to educate people and build the individual toughness needed to survive in a society where corporations will do anything to get their hands on our money. The government has the power to suggest limitations that corporations like McDonalds must execute. Maybe although we ought to depend on ourselves to make healthier lifestyle and food choices, it would be necessary for the government to step in offer a helping hand in encouraging the change or healthy choice that we have chosen.

Link:

http://www.foodpolitics.com/2010/03/does-fighting-obesity-also-mean-fighting-corporations-so-it-seems/http://www.foodpolitics.com/2010/03/does-fighting-obesity-also-mean-fighting-corporations-so-it-seems/