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Forcing Americans to be Healthy

One of the things I enjoy about being an adult is the ability to make my own decisions. I also enjoy as a parent being able to make decisions about my own children. To take it a step further, I also enjoy the freedom of this country and how we are able to make our own decisions in a number of areas.

Yet San Francisco has recently made the news because an ordinance has been passed which bans toys from Happy Meals that consist of high fat and high sugar foods. Now don’t get me wrong. I understand the reasoning behind this. I completely understand the concerns.

Obesity is a problem not only affecting adults in the United States but children as well. We are seeing a generation of children growing up obese, which presents some significant health risks to them. So I really do get what they are trying to say.

But at the same time, while their intentions might be great, I think it’s ridiculous. It is infringing on my right as an American citizen and as a parent. Thankfully my children have outgrown the Happy Meal stage. But I also believe that if my children were still younger and I wanted to get them a Happy Meal, it would be my prerogative.

Would it be the wisest decision to make as a parent, to take my children to McDonalds every week? Probably not. But is it my right to make that decision for another parent? The problem is we are not holding people accountable for their choices. Trying to force people to make healthier choices isn’t going to work.

I know from personal experience. The more you try to force me to do something, the more I am going to resist. There is just something in our nature that really doesn’t appreciate being told what to do.

So what is the answer to our fitness problem? I’m not sure that there is one specific answer. I guess if there is one thing I would change it would be making healthier eating less expensive. The healthier you want to eat, the more expensive it is. I think it should be turned around. Raise the prices on the junk food and lower prices on the good stuff.

How about making exercise a more affordable activity? Joining a gym or buying exercise equipment shouldn’t put you into debt. These are just some thoughts but really, my point is that banning these Happy Meal toys isn’t going to help. It is only going to make people angry. There has to be some better solutions. Do you have any thoughts?

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About Stephanie Romero

Stephanie Romero is a professional blogger for Families and full-time web content writer. She is the author and instructor of an online course, "Recovery from Abuse," which is currently being used in a prison as part of a character-based program. She has been married to her husband Dan for 21 years and is the mother of two teenage children who live at home and one who is serving in the Air Force.