I went to Germany this summer on an exchange
program, along with thirty of my classmates. When we were there, we asked our
German companions what stereotypes they had about America and its people. One
of the most commonly listed stereotypes was that all Americans are fat. Although
this is certainly untrue, the sad fact is, because stereotypes originate from observed
events in addition to a great deal of ignorance; behind every stereotype lies
some truth. Obesity rates in America have been a problem with a great deal of
emphasis on finding a solution. I have seen this in my own life in the changes
to the health curriculum that is taught to me and the added focus on offering
healthy foods in my school’s cafeteria. Changes like these have helped decrease
childhood obesity rates, which should be a remarkable accomplishment; however,
as Thomas Farley points out in his most recent article, the fight against
childhood obesity has a bad side as well. Farley implements facts and
statistics and a strong comparison to convince his audience that the fight
against childhood obesity in America should actually be a fight against
American obesity as a whole.
Yes, the decrease in childhood obesity
rates is a good thing. But, as Farley puts it, it is just “one achievement
within a larger failure" of American obesity as a whole. He identifies that as “the obesity rate in children ages 6 to 11…flatlined at 18 percent, and the rate
in children ages 2 to 5 falls below 10 percent for the first time since the
1980s,” “half of adults have either diabetes or pre-diabetes” and “38 percent
of American adults…are obese.” These statistics prove his point that
the focus on lowering childhood obesity rates has neglected to assist adults
with their obesity, actually causing a rise in adult obesity; therefore,
convincing his audience that America's strategy in the war against obesity needs to be adjusted to address
society as a whole, not just children.
Farley states that this mistake-of-audience is the “same mistake health advocates made in the battle against smoking 25 years ago.” He explains that the anti-smoking ads “focus[ed] on youth amounted to telling teenagers that ‘smoking is for adults only…’ But teenagers aspire to be adults." The real goal in this situation was to convince everyone to stop smoking. The idea was, that by focusing this movement on the younger generation, they would grow up and replace the older generation with a stronger sense that smoking is not right, and then their children would learn this too. But, it backfired in much the same way that the fight against childhood obesity has been, because “smoking rates actually spiked upward among teens and plateaued in adults.” This comparison reinforces Farley's message that focusing on fixing a health concern in children does not reap the intended effects. Because his audience is one of mainly adults, some of which were alive during the anti-smoking campaigns, this comparison allows his audience to logically compare the current situation with something they may be familiar with and will prompt them to advocate for a change in the approach of fighting obesity in America. It is no longer enough to shove non-GMOs and unprocessed goods into your children's mouths before their soccer practices, you parents must be sure to take care of yourselves as well-- being able to watch your grandchildren grow up will be your reward.
Farley states that this mistake-of-audience is the “same mistake health advocates made in the battle against smoking 25 years ago.” He explains that the anti-smoking ads “focus[ed] on youth amounted to telling teenagers that ‘smoking is for adults only…’ But teenagers aspire to be adults." The real goal in this situation was to convince everyone to stop smoking. The idea was, that by focusing this movement on the younger generation, they would grow up and replace the older generation with a stronger sense that smoking is not right, and then their children would learn this too. But, it backfired in much the same way that the fight against childhood obesity has been, because “smoking rates actually spiked upward among teens and plateaued in adults.” This comparison reinforces Farley's message that focusing on fixing a health concern in children does not reap the intended effects. Because his audience is one of mainly adults, some of which were alive during the anti-smoking campaigns, this comparison allows his audience to logically compare the current situation with something they may be familiar with and will prompt them to advocate for a change in the approach of fighting obesity in America. It is no longer enough to shove non-GMOs and unprocessed goods into your children's mouths before their soccer practices, you parents must be sure to take care of yourselves as well-- being able to watch your grandchildren grow up will be your reward.
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