Why are we still ONLY focused on sedentary lifestyles and diets when addressing obesity in the US? Why are we not also looking at ways to decrease exposures to those chemicals that may be contributing to the epidemic?
I think one main reason we are focused on sedentary lifestyles and diets instead of exposures is that the U.S. has a very strong individualistic culture that is biased towards making every problem about individual responsibility. It feeds into the narrative that we are individually responsible for our welfare and success and are able to determine our health based on the individual choices we make. Another main reason for this focus, and for this culture more generally, in my opinion, is that it is in the interest of major U.S. corporations to distract us and blame individuals for their poor health rather than take responsibility for the ways in which the chemicals they are exposing us to are contributing to this epidemic and others. Their interest first and foremost is their profit margins every quarter and these are best met by keeping consumers hooked on their products and not questioning how their products may be negatively impacting our health. I also think the government is beholden to these corporations and is often more interested in protecting these industries and continuing to grow the economy, than actually protecting the health of its citizens. These companies lobby the government to keep these industries unregulated and keep the public focused on individual responsibility for any negative health consequences, including the obesity epidemic.
I think one main reason we are focused on sedentary lifestyles and diets instead of exposures is that the U.S. has a very strong individualistic culture that is biased towards making every problem about individual responsibility. It feeds into the narrative that we are individually responsible for our welfare and success and are able to determine our health based on the individual choices we make. Another main reason for this focus, and for this culture more generally, in my opinion, is that it is in the interest of major U.S. corporations to distract us and blame individuals for their poor health rather than take responsibility for the ways in which the chemicals they are exposing us to are contributing to this epidemic and others. Their interest first and foremost is their profit margins every quarter and these are best met by keeping consumers hooked on their products and not questioning how their products may be negatively impacting our health. I also think the government is beholden to these corporations and is often more interested in protecting these industries and continuing to grow the economy, than actually protecting the health of its citizens. These companies lobby the government to keep these industries unregulated and keep the public focused on individual responsibility for any negative health consequences, including the obesity epidemic.
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