Posted on Dec 19, 2014
Is Obesity in America really a National Security threat?
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I've heard and read on couple of couple of occasions that obesity is a threat because we'll run on a healthy people to fill the ranks. Most thought was this nonsense. However, obesity has become prevalent issue and mandates are being issued on food choices. I'm curious. Is there is merit and validity on the national security perspective?
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/19004-usda-says-childhood-obesity-a-national-security-issue
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/19004-usda-says-childhood-obesity-a-national-security-issue
Security
Fitness
Leadership
Recruiting
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 12
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Yes, but it is not the government's responsibility to fix the dietary habits and activity habits of private citizens. Can't fix the civilians and remain a nation of free people. Nor does the military have the ability to permanently overcome 17+ years of bad habits that parents allow, or that genetics pre-dispose within people.
I come from a family where every single member (by blood) of my immediate family, and extended family was obese or morbidly obese (325#+ plus for every male, by age 35, none the less they typically live until their 90's). I was aware of this and constantly fight to to stay within Marine Corps standards, despite being out of the service for 25+ years.
I don't like watching what I eat, but I do. I don't like exercising, but I do. It is a personal choice.
I come from a family where every single member (by blood) of my immediate family, and extended family was obese or morbidly obese (325#+ plus for every male, by age 35, none the less they typically live until their 90's). I was aware of this and constantly fight to to stay within Marine Corps standards, despite being out of the service for 25+ years.
I don't like watching what I eat, but I do. I don't like exercising, but I do. It is a personal choice.
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Look at the cost of foods.
What is more expensive, the produce and lean proteins area or the processed, canned, frozen meal and sweets areas? People will eat what they can afford, have access to, or are told are "good for them". I fortunately can afford to make sure my kids get good food, lots of fruits and veggies and better snack options while providing them less than optimal treats as well, but they are all doing very well.
I didn't grow up with any affluence, but both sets of grandparents had subsistence gardens/farm. I ate lots of fresh fruits and vegetables because I grew up in a very agricultural area. I have worked in Trenton and Camden, New Jersey; people there do not have ANY access to quality food unless they are willing to pay for it. I do not know how many of you have been that close to people living in poverty without any reasonable hope of getting out of it (not my upbringing, I was rural, so that is not my point), but it's very upsetting. Military or not, we need to improve the quality of food that AMERICANS have reasonable access to. Perhaps if those people who were eligible for food stamps were sent to the farmers' market instead of given generic vouchers for food, things would be better.
What is more expensive, the produce and lean proteins area or the processed, canned, frozen meal and sweets areas? People will eat what they can afford, have access to, or are told are "good for them". I fortunately can afford to make sure my kids get good food, lots of fruits and veggies and better snack options while providing them less than optimal treats as well, but they are all doing very well.
I didn't grow up with any affluence, but both sets of grandparents had subsistence gardens/farm. I ate lots of fresh fruits and vegetables because I grew up in a very agricultural area. I have worked in Trenton and Camden, New Jersey; people there do not have ANY access to quality food unless they are willing to pay for it. I do not know how many of you have been that close to people living in poverty without any reasonable hope of getting out of it (not my upbringing, I was rural, so that is not my point), but it's very upsetting. Military or not, we need to improve the quality of food that AMERICANS have reasonable access to. Perhaps if those people who were eligible for food stamps were sent to the farmers' market instead of given generic vouchers for food, things would be better.
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PO1 Scott Morton
I hear you Captain! Personally, my family and I try to eat fruit with lunch and veggies with dinner, but I'll admit, when food prices started skyrocketing about a year ago, we bought less and less fresh produce. One nice benefit our downtown Y provides is a farmers market once a week starting in summer and running until mid-fall. Families may use their food stamps and buy food that is nutritious.
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David Garner
Agree with your opinions! Healthy food is too expensive for many people. This is a big problem, I think.
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Courtney Lacy
David Garner - I support your opinion! Nowadays it is pretty challenging to eat properly. For someone it's connected with the rhythm of life and motivation, but for the most part, people just can't afford to eat healthy all the time. It is often expensive and not sold everywhere. It also indicates the inequality of income of our society, I suppose. I read about it at https://samploon.com/free-essays/social-issues/ where a lot of information is gathered about the social problems that surround us. I learned a lot of new things. I would also like to add that poor quality food leads to health problems for many people, and this is a global problem and needs to be addressed somehow.
Social Issues Essay Examples and Research Papers on Samploon.com. Free argumenttive, persuasive...
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