Please reply to this student discussion post with your own opinion.
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Do you believe that obesity is a disease or a product of an individual’s environment and lifestyle habits?
I believe that obesity is a disease; however, a person’s lifestyle and environment can dictate whether or not they become obese. Although some people become obese because of lifestyle choices such as little activity, eating fast food, and watching too much television, others have a greater chance of becoming obese because of genetic factors.
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Do you feel that youth who are obese should be permitted to opt for bariatric surgery?What are some of the reasons that support your decision?
I think youth who are obese should be permitted to opt for bariatric surgery because it can help prevent coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers which can all lead to bigger health issues. Youth that undergo bariatric surgery are found to have a lower risk of death and health issues than those who do not get the surgery. Bariatric surgery has been proven to lead to long lasting weight-loss compared to dieting.
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Some individuals feel that K12 schools should play a role in promoting health behavior in children. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
I agree, K12 schools should promote healthy behaviors in school because children spend a substantial amount of time in school. Parents are not always able to educate their children on such topics such as eating disorders, healthy diet, and the risks of tobacco and alcohol which is where schools can step in to provide that extra support.
One argument has been that school staff should restrict the types of food that children bring to school (no junk food). Do you agree with the restriction of unhealthy foods from schools? Why or why not?
When it comes to staff restricting children from bringing junk food I think it would be beneficial to the children since it helps promote children to eat healthier options. If parents allow their children to bring in junk food it hinders the measures school staff put in place to advocate for better eating habits.