Personal Responsibility In Making Healthy Choices

We’re living in an amazing time where it seems that all elements of our world are converging on this notion of health (or the lack of it), and the recognition that we must do something about it. With obesity rates continuing to escalate and the realization that our generation will outlive our children, there’s a climate for significant change.

With care to not over-simplify the problems and causes at hand, ponder the perfect storm of recent developments that are causing people to consider (and reconsider) their own personal responsibility for their own health:

Let’s Move America – led by First Lady Michelle Obama, this new program “promises to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation” by giving parents the support they need, providing healthier food in schools, helping children to be more physically active, and making healthy affordable food available in every part of the country. Needless to say, these are amazingly lofty goals, but for the moment at least, the most successful element to come out of this now three-month old initiative is the resounding voice of recognition that we as a whole society have a real problem. For the public masses, recognizing that there is a problem and keeping it high profile will work to awaken people to their consumptive choices and behavioral habits.

Government Regulation – at both the federal and local level, while some may take issue with the tactics, it’s clear that government is taking action to help curb our out-of-control and unsustainable consumption. From increasing soda and snack taxes, to food traceability legislation and caloric content disclosures in restaurants, government clearly is taking the opportunity to “facilitate” a greater understanding of our food intake and the impact it has upon society. Even larger cities are now in the midst of considering or actually placing zoning restrictions that ban unhealthy food sales in underserved neighborhoods. And don’t forget the efforts to greatly improve school nutrition.

Industry – even the food & beverage industry is getting behind the movement. From salt reduction and elimination of high-fructose corn syrup at the producer level, and with the public’s eye on improved healthfulness of food, improvements are being made.

Local communities – grass root organizations are seizing the opportunity and gaining momentum in the fight for healthier communities. Urban farming and programs like the one in Baltimore that gives greater access to healthy food items are just two examples of many that have sprung up across the country.

With all of this activity (and more) underway, the most important element in the equation is the commitment and discipline required from individuals – be it as a parent or a single person who accepts the call to action and personal responsibility to make improvements in their own lives. In a recent study of American adults conducted by the International Food Information Council, the majority of respondents (80%) are in the process of changing how they eat, and of those, 48% are doing so for improved health and nutrition. Only 13 percent cited the economy as the reason for their change.

Research also shows that Americans increasingly believe that their food and beverage choices can positively impact their health.  With 85% interested in learning more about foods that can provide benefits, the public is ready for actionable advice that addresses a host of issues, from weight management to immune function and how to improve their overall health and well-being.

If you would like to learn more about Healthy Living Marketing and social responsibility campaign development, please contact us at (301) 378-0384.

Tags: health, health responsibility, healthy, healthy choices, personal health, personal responsibility