Mark Wilson

Pre-Debate
This week we’re discussing whether or not food marketers should be held responsible for obesity rates in Canada.
I’m very excited for this debate, because this is right up my alley of interests.

My initial thoughts are that it’s not entirely the food marketers fault that our obesity rates are skyrocketing. Yes, they push products on us that are clearly not healthy  or part of a balanced diet, but they don’t TELL us it’s the only thing we should eat.
The way I look at it is that it’s our responsibility to make decisions on what we eat. A food marketer is only trying to make a living and we just have to control how we choose to indulge on their products.
Some items are clearly for convenience, maybe not the healthiest, but are meant to save us time in our day. The problem is that we overindulge and eat eat eat these convenience foods out of lazyness, then end up overweight and complain about it.
The bottom line is that it’s our responsibility, they have guidelines to follow when marketing, then we need to follow our own guidelines to remain healthy. Under educated decisions are a major factor in obesity. There is more knowledge being passed around and if we truly want to be healthy, all we have to do is head on over to google and search for some basic tips on eating right and maintaining a healthy weight.

Post-Debate
Here are some of the stats presented by the opposing team – attacking food marketing
23% 18 or older are obese
8% obese children
36% overweight adults
18% overweight children
60% of population gets insufficient exercise
A child has 4x more chance to be obese from watching too much TV

I found their argument to be very weak, as it focused primarily on children, when we’re supposed to analyze the ENTIRE market. The opposing team had them with one line ‘parents make children’s food decisions’. So how can you provide these statistics when the only bargaining power children have is their whining and complaining? Granted this has some pull, but it’s ultimately up to the parents, so I don’t think this is a strong basis to stand your argument on.
Next they brought up lack of exercise statistics. This has nothing to do with their point, as food marketers have nothing to do with exercise habits, with the exception of making us lazier with easier products to cook.
Last, they said that fast food is addictive, too much salt and sugar is addictive like tobacco… sure, increased dopamine or ‘feel good levels’ when we eat this crappy food, but I somehow have trouble equalizing tobacco with food marketing. Besides, regardless of addictiveness, I still say it’s the consumers choice to take that route. It’s not illegal to market cigarettes and they’re a proven killer, so why should it be illegal to market food products that (in my mind) are far less ‘evil’. ’nuff said.

The team fighting that it’s NOT food marketers fault had a point that there was No concrete evidence to link marketing to obesity. Scientific fact or not, I don’t think it’s a marketer’s fault. They make our life easier with their simple and pleasing products,  but they don’t force it down our throat.

I strongly believe that it’s OUR choice to eat fast food or health food. It takes education on health facts, and products are forced to include nutritional information… what more do we want? Abolish everything bad and only produce good? What defines this ‘good’? More consumer protection? Might as well just tell us what to do, how to do it, and when do to it….Next, we all turn into pawns, run by the rules of society. Sounds a little like living through The Truman Show to me. No thanks.

M