Obesity is now a major global epidemic. What can be done to tackle this increasingly common problem?

Obesity

is now one of the main causes of preventable death, especially in industrialized countries. To tackle

this

problem, governments can reduce the impact of their overweight citizens by the careful use of taxation to fund alternatives to a sedentary lifestyle.

However

, individuals should

also

take responsibility for their own health by avoiding a bad diet and taking the initiative to participate in sport. It is important for governments to act quickly to curb

obesity

because of the rising death rate. There will

also

be rising costs in healthcare and the benefits system if it is left unchecked. To combat

this

problem, governments should

first

of all, heavily tax junk food and use the revenue generated to subsidize healthy fruit and vegetables.

This

would make healthy food cheaper and more widely available than unhealthier options.

Also

, the government can act by funding leisure centres, sports clubs and gyms.

This

money could be used to help people gain motivation to exercise and become more active.

On the other hand

, there are those who claim that

obesity

is due to lifestyle choice and

therefore

an individual problem, not one for the government. They claim people should find their own motivation to prevent

obesity

by being aware of the potentially fatal consequences of their lifestyles. Individuals could

also

change their diets by switching from a carbohydrate – heavy diet to one which includes a balance of vitamins and minerals. Joining a sport club need not always be the only way to lose weight. Even vigorous housework and heavy gardening can help avert heart disease. In conclusion,

although

individuals may be able to help themselves by changing their diets and activities, it may require government intervention to tackle

obesity

quickly and on a large scale.