Your article concerning fast food and the increasing numbers of children (Echo 20-26th Sept) who are considered to be clinically obese or overweight should be of concern to the overwhelming majority of readers. In your article Cllr Chris Brewis disparagingly berates parents as "child abusers" for taking them to such outlets. His remarks demonstrate an understanding of the underlying causes of obesity in our society that lacks both knowledge and depth. Doubtless some ingredients do contribute to acts of anti-social behaviour, and teaching our children domestic science skills would improve their understanding of nutritious food and a healthier lifestyle but subjecting children to "weigh-ins" is draconian, counter productive and a poor use of resources.
Another contributor, Wayne Casement, made the point that "We live in a fast paced world now and it's the way life is" and it is our way of life now that Cllr Brewis would do well to investigate further. I make 3 points for consideration:
In our consumer based, advertisement-driven society we are constantly being sold "lifestyle choices", the underlying message being that to obtain social status one has to own this or that, drink this coffee that soft drink, shop there, buy that phone, the list is endless. Well for those of us who want but can't have those lifestyle choices, there's the opportunity to join in, treat yourself and supress the disappointment by eating fast foods that deliver the feel good factor. After all, it's fairly cheap, some might even argue it tastes good. It is this sense of belonging that marketing exploits and sells. Combined with certain ingredients in the food itself, for regular consumers the result, however brief, is their "happiness hit" and kids who can share in an exclusive "lifestyle" just like those in the adverts.
My second point is that society needs to readjust to accomodate what it means to be a human being. There will always be exceptions but as a rule human beings are social creatures. We thrive on love and relationships and interactions with others that include being valued and respected.
Obesity used to be the rich man's disorder, not so anymore. We live in a society where people are judged by what they own as opposed to what they do, so-called celebrities excepted. With many families, constrained by stagnating wages, battling the constant economic pressures of a consumer based society, junk, fast or comfort food, call it what you will, is increasingly relied on as a coping mechanism.
Thirdly, since it rests with the councils to allow such outlets to operate, surely it is within their power to limit the number of those that do so? Rather than directing unhelpful vitriole at parents, Cllr Brewis might achieve more success, by encouraging fellow councillors to act to prevent our shopping centres and high streets offering little more to citizens than an array of saturated fats supplied in various guises.
I base my arguments on a widely researched body of evidence that is gaining increasing support both nationally and internationally. Life doesn't have to be this way. Frankly, it's high time we moved towards a society that embraces and nutures as many of us as possible instead of one in which a few thrive whilst most survive.
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