The government needs to allocate more funds for programs such as its “Five A Day” campaign to promote healthy eating. Forcing food companies to balance unhealthy messages with healthy ones will help even out this lopsided advertising expenditure; but without taking further action the government is neglecting that it is under their guidelines that food companies are able to operate and make billion dollar profits. $9.55 million promoting fruits and vegetables is a joke when compared to the $11.26 billion spent by the food, candy, beverage and restaurant industry in 2004.

Obviously, it would also be the government’s responsibility to ensure the food industry operates in accordance to the regulations previously stated. It is their job to regulate the food advertising industry as it exists only in accordance with national trade laws and regulations.

Local governments should revise zoning laws to permit construction of more sidewalks, parks, bike paths, and playgrounds. Many children lack a proper place to safely exercise, this would solve that problem, while also promoting exercise in the community…

Finally, local school districts need to take the health of the children in their community in their own hands. Profit should not be the goal of an educational facility. Rather than making money off the unhealthy eating habits of children, and furthermore promoting those unhealthy habits by allowing snack machines and fast food restaurants infiltrate a school building, districts should design healthier meal plans. Fitness and health education classes need to be required. 

According to, Gym Classes Needed in Schools, a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only a quarter of public schools in the US require students to take physical education classes – a drop from 42 percent in 1991. Although many schools have cut their gym and health classes to be replaced by more academic offerings, a survey released in September by the American Obesity Association found that 80 percent of parents were against this move. Similar to this cut of gym and health classes, it has become a growing trend for school officials to reject scheduled recess periods in favor of additional instruction time. According to one estimate, 40 percent of U.S. schools have eliminated recess or are considering the idea.

In Atlanta recess has been abolished completely, they now build elementary schools without playgrounds (Schools Becoming All Work and No Play). Recess is the easiest way in the world to get children to exercise; taking it away tells them that exercise is not important. Schools must address their end of the issue in this fight to combat obesity among children. They must provide healthier food options, educate children with health and gym classes, and develop the habits of exercise through daily recess.