Good argument so far, and a few hints of looking at the bigger picture.
Personal responsibility is all good - however, in recent times there are other forces at work on the other end of the see-saw...
Problems: Too much readily available, energy dense - nutrient-poor food.
Too little physical activity.
Is this ALL down to personal responsibility?
No one so far has mentioned the role of the marketers in all this, or the expense of fruit and veg (the latter has been hinted at)
Go back 20 years* - there were not the sheer numbers of fast-food outlets EVERYWHERE. There were not the range of prepackaged shit on the shelves at the supermarket. People could and did cook and eat together. There were not the extensive range of sedentary entertainment - computer and console games, DVDs etc.
In terms of fast/pre-packaged processed food and sedentary entertainment products - these are hammered 24/7 by marketers.
20 odd years ago marketers were only just starting to wake up to the idea of product placement (Reeces pieces in ET was an accidental success). Now it's in all forms of media - weather brought to you by 'X', article in association with 'Y'; 'Z' drinks this in electronic game...
There are a lot of foods that are touted as being 'just fine' by infotainment - those "eating well" segments selling food for the kids' lunches; the Sarah Ulmers of the world fronting McDonalds. The "99% fat free" products (never mind the carbs). So many things we are 'told' are just fine, but are not.
Too few people go past the claims on the front of the package saying that the food is 'fine' to the nutrition info panel in tiny print on the back, failing to realise that marketers are never going to give you good info on what to eat (duh! They SELL things)
Advertising targeting kids to nag their parents during childrens' TV? These factors are EVERYWHERE if you open your eyes to them. Not that long ago I had an ad stuck on the lid of my takeaway coffee. 20 years ago the marketing machine was not so sophisticated and was not striving to influence 'free choice' and 'personal responsibility'
I think this is what the Green Party is getting at more so than saying it's not about personal responsibility - trying to counter the marketing machine that DOESN'T CARE whether the food we eat is healthy.
Sure, 20 years ago there were pies, donuts and fizzy. And maccas. But they were not everywhere, and they were not PUSHED by the marketers through an omnipresent electronic media.
As to the latter point - I'm well enough educated in science to have a ready grasp of the whys and wherefores of good nutrition; I can cook well and I'm vegetarian. Unfortunately I am also rather poor at present. I find it difficult to eat all the fruits and veg I'd like. It's farking expensive to eat a varied diet of quality produce...
Personal responsibility in the age of marketing is more of an uphill battle that it once was...
Don't get me wrong: Personal responsibility is still THE critical factor, just a little harder to exercise in the mire of availability and 'market-speak'
(*20 years is an arbitrary figure on my part as I can remember it a little)
Government subsidised veges and gyms?
Who's with me?
Veges are expensive...
Not that daft, as it would significantly reduce downstream health costs borne by the state (ie us, the taxpayer)
I try and stick with cheap seasonal/on special/short dated veg. Sometimes veg in cans are a good buy. Sadly we lack a freezer...
Cheap vege rides sounds good - strap on the tail-pack and head into the rural areas around Auckland on vege buying trips. An excuse to ride AND cheap veg!!! Yay!
ter·ra in·cog·ni·taAchievement is not always success while reputed failure often is. It is honest endeavor, persistent effort to do the best possible under any and all circumstances.
Orison Swett Marden
All I can say is thank goodness I dont have kids going to school right now.
My kids almost never bought lunches, I provided them. They were on the whole reasonably healthy, though I was known for chucking in a treat from time to time. Very rarely they got money to buy something, they wanted pies! Or some other terribly bad for you treat. Guess what? They got it.
I would have been hard to restrain from going postal on the arses of the do good friggen food police that dictate what I can and can't feed my kids.
I can see a time where there will be no "junk food" available at all. What is wrong with it? I dont live anywhere I can buy the regular "fast food" and very rarely buy traditional takeaways. I actually find the odd Maccas a bit of a treat, and really enjoy eating it! Shoot me!
ter·ra in·cog·ni·taAchievement is not always success while reputed failure often is. It is honest endeavor, persistent effort to do the best possible under any and all circumstances.
Orison Swett Marden
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