Diary 50: Tackling obesity the American Way

“An initiative by The American Beverage Association – including The Coca-Cola Co, Dr Pepper Snappe Group and PepsiCo – the Clinton Foundation and The American Heart Association has helped cut shipments of full-sugar soft drinks to schools by 95% compared with 2004” (The Sun, 10 March 2010).

It was also reported that two-thirds of Americans, including one in two children, are overweight or obese.

One interesting note about the above report is that obesity is a serious problem for a developed nation such as USA.

Many developing countries are influenced by what happen in the US. Fast food has become part of local culture in these developing countries. Obesity also becomes a major health problem among their populations.

Obesity tackling is not the responsibility of the government alone. We see that in the US even the soft-drink companies and NGO can together play an important role.

The role of government is important in showing the way. In US, to tackle consumption of soft drinks, California and Philadelphia have introduced legislation to tax soda.

I wish what happens in US would have a positive impact for other governments of the world to establish the relevant legislation.