Obesity is a social problem. Addressing it requires access to healthy food, not restrictions

News: The council in the most obese area in Lancashire is planning to place restrictions on takeaway food to control the health menace. There is also talk of encouraging exercise and addressing mental health issues

Restricting fast-food isn’t a bad idea, particularly for young people, amongst whom research indicates it is both a consequence of and cause for mental issues.

However, obesity control cannot be achieved just by restricting individual choice.

Why the solution to control obesity cannot be achieved just by restricting individual choice?

Obesity, like most public health issues, is a social problem: In the West, it is more expensive and difficult to procure healthy produce. Hence, much of the people belonging to lower-income groups prefer fast foods.

Like most addictive substances, fast food targets the poor and vulnerable, and the solution to it cannot just be restricting individual choice. We must find healthy replacement choices first.

What can be done?

It is important to ensure food habits and economies that do not make eating healthy a function of wealth.

Need to expand choices, especially, the ability to make healthy ones rather than restricting them.

Source: This post is based on the article “Obesity is a social problem. Addressing it requires access to healthy food, not restrictions” published in Indian Express on 27^th Nov 2021.