While one might argue that the government or the food industry is solely responsible for managing the health of our society, I believe that we must take personal responsibility for our weight management. With that being said, the government and food industry can also play a role in creating opportunities for a healthier society. I believe this can be done in a multifaceted, partnership approach.
Beginning with the individual and a concept called Self Determination Theory which supports that three psychological needs must be satisfied for individuals to feel motivated: competence, relatedness and autonomy. As adults we need to feel motivated to take charge of our health and weight management and to feel like we are in charge of our own decisions. Yet, all too often we are unconsciously manipulated by commercials, advertisements and peer pressure. How do we become competent at eating healthy? If we begin with small changes over time we can develop a sense of competence. Small changes might include substituting white flour for wheat or drinking more water each day. How do we share that experience with others and feel that we aren’t alone in this endeavor? Utilizing community support groups and enlisting support from our family and friends is quite useful.
How do we begin educating young children in a way that allows them to make choices and still feel connected to their social group? The conversations we have around health and nutrition begin at home with the family, however, if a family is struggling socioeconomically or emotionally these conversations and experiences can be hard to come by. That is where the government can intervene by imposing external regulation of the food industry and fast food restaurants. Beginning by not allowing food to be marketed to children and teens. Then by mandating calories be printed on menus at fast food chains. Accessibility to education on nutrition and healthy eating is another area where the government create external regulation. Creating healthy eating and activity rewards can be helpful with children. As well as creating a safe play space for children to move around each day.
The government can create an external regulation that mandates each person has health care insurance which comes with an annual physical. It can also create free or low cost education programs on nutrition. However, once a person is an adult creating an intrinsic motivation as described in Self Determination Theory is critical in maintaining a lasting health behavior change. Self Determination Theory suggests that motivation that is not intrinsic is not persistent. How do we help adults choose to be healthy and do health promoting behaviors rather than feel forced to do so? By having our doctor inquire about our health behaviors during our annual physical in a motivating way we can begin the process of thinking about health behavior change. It may take many conversations but it’s worth a start.
Lastly, it is also up to a new set of entrepreneurs who want to promote healthy living to arise. Current companies can also jump on board by revising their mission statement and values to reflect a healthier society and then implementing these values in their marketing and products. These current companies and entrepreneurs must come for an intrinsically motivated place to help create healthy, convenient foods that meet the needs of our rapidly growing world.
So how do we work together? By putting nutrition education into schools we can then help shape the behavior of children who will ultimately become the adult consumers of foods that will either make us healthy and well or sick and obese. Having continuing education opportunities that are free or affordable will help adults continue to learn about and choose to make healthy choices. Mandating an annual physical to maintain awareness of our current health picture will help us work towards prevention or maintenance of chronic disease associated with obesity. And finally, having entrepreneurs and or current companies create healthy, convenient foods to meet the needs of our rapidly changing society.
Works Cited:
“Self-determination Theory.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation Ted Talk
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