Defusing the health time-bomb do you think Andrew is right?

Question

Quote from Andrew Lansley Shadow secretary of state for health "Providing information and example is empowering; lecturing people is not."

Andrew Lansley has set out plans to improve the nation’s health and defuse "the time bomb of obesity-related ill health."

With new figures revealing that over 30% of children are starting their teenage years obese, Andrew proposed a new health strategy that encourages both children and adults to take responsibility for their lifestyle and health.

But he stressed that rather than telling people what to do, the government needs to give everyone the information, opportunities and incentives they need to lead a healthier life.

Answer 1

He does have a very good point in that telling people to change their diets and lose weight is a waste of time, but actually educating people and encouraging them is far more likely to be effective. It is important particularly for parents, allowing a child to become obese is setting them up for so many problems in their adult life.  

Answer 2

How about removing about 70% of the cr@p from the shelves in the first place?

There is more to this problem than people just being fat. In the UK, we are expected to work incredibley long hours so lose valuable time for creating healthy meals; convenience food is the easier option. Also, home cooking is a lost art, yet we are inundated with fancy cookery programs.We also now have an expectation to have whatever we want when we want it. Remember when sweets were a treat? Well everything is so cheap and nasty now there is no such thing as a treat.

Answer 3

well my kids are at an accredited healthy eating school and they know everything there is to know about nutrition but at the end of the day they are kids they want to eat nice stuff, yogurts with chocolate in them, chocolate of course, crisps, cakes etc etc, they know they are bad but they still want them and it is my job as their mother to say no most of the time. i think its all very well and good 'empowering' people (personally think its a stupid concept) but at the end of the day sometimes we have to be told what do for our own good and this goverment is not doing enough to ban c**p, tax manufacturers who produce **** food and loads of waste, not enough resources into keeping youngsters active, ie clubs, playing fields and parks. i think for our future generation its time to get tough. xx

Answer 4

Yes I do, it makes a change to hear a sensible quote, lecturing people is not the answer, we are all sick to death of being told what or what not to do, educating the adults is what is needed so their children don't fall into the same patten of eating as them. Parents really do need to take the responsibility for their children's health and welfare, at the moment there are a lot who don't.

Answer 5

I agree that people should be educated from a young age about the dangers of a bad diet.

I think that something should be brought in at ante natel classes for expectant parents on how to make cheap, nutricious meals for their children.  A myth that needs to be destroyed is the one that it is cheaper to eat unhealthly.  

It is sad that so many young children are obsese. Even those with poor diets should be doing some sort of exercise to keep themselves fit.  

Answer 6

Do I think he is right?  It can't hurt.  Let the people decide for themselves but to give them the tools to ruminate over , is a good idea.  Obesity is today like smoking was years ago.  So many will attempt to change and there will always be the stragglers.  I think it is good to see someone at least trying to help in practical ways.  Good for him.