Genetics | Diet - Nutrition | Physical Activity | Other Activities | Our Social Environment | Sleep

OUR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

               There have been many factors that have shaped our society in the last few decades that influence obesity risk for our children. These include changes in technology, consuming time demands, changes in the family unit, safety issues, etc. All of these are contributing agents in the end result. Many mothers are now employed part-time or full-time, and this distracts time away from meal planning and food selection in general. While many fathers now play a larger role as a parent in these areas, time is still constrained and nutritional values often suffer. Fortunately, as a global community, we are beginning to recognize the hazards of synthetic and processed living and embracing a more natural focus for our lives.
        While the marketing efforts in the US and also worldwide are highly successful in the commercial aspect of driving product consumption, the market failure from these efforts are progressively being realized. Long term goals that achieve good emotional and physical health, high productivity, and a stronger society are not being seen. Instead, our families submit to the short term achievements that allow day to day efficiency which marketing promotes. In this regard, market failure is present despite commercial success. Social programs that align long term goals with a supportive environment are a direction needed for the future.