Combating Obesity Background: During the past 20 years, obesity among adults has risen significantly in the United States. The latest data from the National Center for Health Stat

Combating Obesity
Background:
During the past 20 years, obesity among adults has risen significantly in the United States. The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 30 percent of U.S. adults who are 20 years of age and olderover 60 million peopleare obese. This increase is not limited to adults. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged 6-19 years, 16 percent (over 9 million young people) are considered overweight. These increasing rates raise concern because of their implications for Americans’ health. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
? Hypertension
? Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
? Type 2 diabetes
? Coronary heart disease
? Stroke
? Gallbladder disease
? Osteoarthritis
? Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
? Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
Although one of the national health objectives for the Healthy People 2020 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicate that the situation is worsening rather than improving (CDC: Overweight and Obesity).
Question – Below Listed health interventions/strategies are provided to Combat obesity. Prepare recommendations for stepping up the effort to combat the obesity ‘epidemic’ in the United States by Providing an analysis of the pros and cons of each strategy listed below, including unintended consequences, legality, the likelihood for popular acceptance, and effectiveness. Also, discuss how these strategies impact health equity and the public’s health overall. Provide an explanation as to why some options seem appropriate while others should be discarded (cite evidence to support your explanation).
Tax snack-food and fast-food sales (consumer pays)
Tax snack-food and fast-food production (producer pays)
Curtail food advertising, particularly to children.
Promote healthy behaviors through city planning initiatives: bike paths, new urbanism (small town centers for walking, public transport), parks, recreation, etc.