Description
Respond to the write-up below by expanding on their response and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example.
Provide references to support your points. Please see attached for a separate file containing all the references from which you could choose.
Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
Obesity in America and Subsequent Health Related Issues
I think it is safe to assume that we all know obesity in America is and has been an issue for some time. As of 2022, all U.S. states and territories had at least 20% of their population considered obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (CDC, 2024). A study even proved that people of normal weight are more likely to become obese over a 10-year period than to maintain a healthy weight (Huang & Huang, 2023). Whether it be cost of food, availability of healthy food, or busy lifestyles, this statistic lets me know that too many Americans are threatening their overall health. Diabetes, heart disease, and hyperlipidemia are just a few of the deadly diseases that can be directly related to obesity.
First, let me be clear by saying that in my opinion there has not been any president that has thought enough of this health issue to include much of it in their agenda. However, there has been actions by most that have affected this issue.
Obama Administration
During the Obama Administration, First Lady Michelle Obama launched Let’s Move! in 2010. President Obama established a Task Force on Childhood Obesity in efforts to target the problem in early childhood and adolescents (Let’s Move, 2017). The intention was to focus on strategies that could be used to battle and prevent obesity in youth at home and in schools and make healthier food accessible and affordable. During this administration, “traditional” vending machine snacks and drinks were replaced in schools with healthier choices. School meals were also reconstructed to be healthier. This movement also encouraged more physical activity in children and their families by encouraging more physical education classes in schools, promoting after-school programs that would involve physical activity, and encouraging schools to open their facilities to families during evening and weekend hours for physical recreation (Let’s Move, 2017). Michelle Obama is still the spokeswoman and promoter of Let’s Move! but sadly, the campaign ended in 2017 at the end of the Obama Administration.
Trump Administration
Succeeding President Obama, in 2017 President Trump focused more on physical activity by proclaiming the month of May as Physical Fitness and Sports Month (Proclamations, 2017). Later during the Trump administration he would propose a 2019 budget altering food program benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by cutting benefits and using that percentage to create food commodity boxes for those qualifying for SNAP benefits (Rosenbaum et al., 2018). These food boxes would be designed with non-perishable items such as beans, cereals, canned items, and shelf-stable milk (Rosenbaum et al., 2018). Though, I can see that SNAP benefits are used for unhealthy foods a lot of times, or sold for cash money, the issue with non-perishable food boxes in lieu of SNAP benefits is that the consumer does not get access to fresh fruits, vegetables, or proteins.
Biden Administration
In 2022, The Biden-Harris Administration announced their plan for ending hunger in America and increasing healthy eating and physical activity by the year 2030 (White House, 2022). Through this platform the Biden Administration increased access to free and nourishing school meals, and provided Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) to more children, who did not originally qualify for SNAP benefits (White House, 2022). The Biden Administration would also expand SNAP benefits and eligibility to the underserved areas. This was done in efforts that Americans would choose to eat the healthier foods that may cost more at the store. The healthier options are not always the cheaper options. The SNAP benefits are still able to be used on any consumable food item.
Policy Changes I Think Could Be Made
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is an excellent way for struggling families to put food on their tables, but as I’ve identified above, SNAP is not always utilized for the healthier choices. I’ve been in grocery stores, where packaged gummy worms and other candies have large attractive labels placed on them “EBT friendly!” and that is what we need to change. SNAP benefits should resemble the nutritional program Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in that the foods eligible for purchase are governed and healthy. WIC serves many women and children and has been successful in improving the overall health with this program that started in 1972 and is still thriving today (USDA). SNAP should not be done away with, but policy changes to amend its properties and food eligibilities could help manage and maintain healthy weights and improve overall health.