Bloomberg's Fight against Obesity

The New York Times article discussing Bloomberg's efforts banning sales on soda quantities larger than 16oz leaves me wondering if he is really getting to the root of the problem or if this is merely a dramatic gesture.

A few months ago, while in a hurry and running errands, my boyfriend and I ran through a fast food drive-thru (judge away-we all have done it).  I ordered a value meal and was given a size option between medium and large.  I went for the medium-as I typically opt for smaller options when possible.  I in no way was prepared for what they handed me-a 32oz soda!  I have a hard enough time finishing a 12oz can of soda-let alone something almost 3x the size!  My boyfriend explained to me about how after the 'super-size' fiasco in the mid-2000's the companies just removed the labels and renamed the larger sizes a size smaller (see more explanation from Wikipedia).  Needless to say, I barely put a dent into that monster cup, but it did leave me with quite an impression of disgust and a little sad.  I believe it was in Morgan Spurlock's documentary Supersize Me, where he described the progression of how the sizes of sodas and fries have evolved since the 1950's...and to a corrolational degree, society's waistline.

I grew up with a mother who had quite the 'green-thumb'.  We grew up digging potatoes, picking berries and canning or freezing fruits and vegetables as a part of our chores.  In addition, my mother is rather fond of holistic care.  I'm pretty sure she can cure anything with Epsom salts, hot tea and sunshine.  For a living mom drives a school bus for a rural school district.  I'm often regaled with stories of the 'children today' and their very interesting parents/guardians.  One detail she has mentioned on more than one occasion is a child of about 8 years old who gets on the school bus every morning with two 24oz cans of Mountain Dew.  I didn't even know they made soda cans in that size.  I ask you, who is at fault here?  The child or the parent?

I offer these stories as personal encounters in agreement with Bloomberg's efforts.  Whilst, I wish more focused education would be the catalyst for individuals to make long-term healthy decisions-we live in the land of consumption.  Consumption and obesity, formerly a sign of wealth, now has taken a dangerous turn toward lower education and poverty. Sugar, once a luxury, is now over-consumed and in almost everything we eat.  Have you ever walked down the isles of your super-store and truly observed what they contain?  There is one large super-store I refuse to shop at simply because they have a really poor excuse for a produce section.  This is a company who has a reputation for driving down the market prices on a variety of items, while their produce browns on the shelf. 

I empathize with Bloomberg's efforts and frustration, but we as a society are beyond eliminating the larger quantities and are truly within the hampster-wheel of a problem.  Where do we even begin? 

• We live in a land of OVER-consumption.  We over-consume stuff, food, cars, homes, etc.  We try to emulate television personalities and celebrities because we're told we should.  We scoff at their drama and envy their lives.  We purchase late-model luxury cars to impress others, but if you read The Millionaire Next Door, you will learn the #1 vehicle of millionaires is a Ford F150.
• We grow up being told we need to get a 'good job' and make a high income, but go through a public school system that doesn't offer a personal finance class.  And now we live in a society where millions of Americans do not balance their checkbook.
• Stay-at-home moms occupy a smaller and smaller percentage of the population.  This role (whether it be the husband or wife) is highly under appreciated for this occupation is not solely responsible for the children, but the household.  A household is like a business with money coming in and going out.   Someone HAS to monitor and manage it.  Stay-at-home mom=C.F.O.. 
• Going out to eat went from a luxury to a necessity.  How many people do you know that admittedly don't cook?  How many of them refuse to even learn?
• Public schools do not offer nutrition classes and their cafeterias are funded by the government dollar.  Which means cheap food loaded with sugar, salt and preservatives for our children who cant even define what a calorie is.
• According to The Annie E. Casey Foundation 35% of homes are single parent households as of 2011.  This percentage is up 4% since 2000.  Interestingly, the percentage of teens ages 16-19 who found work in the year 2000 was 44% (this being the average from 1970-2000).  In 2011 the percentage of working teens is 26%.  The Casey foundation credits this drop to availability of positions.  Teenage children who work are able to alleviate financial burdens from their single parents by becoming self-sufficient.  

  I'm sure it is not lost on Mayor Bloomberg how his efforts are futile in the grand scheme, but I truly wish him the best of luck.