Scientists agree that people are damaging their health by eating too much junk food. Some people think that the answer to this problem is to educate people. Others think education will not work. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample 1
Scientific findings have clearly indicated that the excessive consumption of fast food is leading to the deterioration of people’s health. According to some people, this unhealthy practice can be stopped by means of education; however, some others have little faith in this solution. As the supporters of each view have their own justifications, whether education is effective remains to be seen in this essay.
On the one hand, raising the awareness of people towards the dangers of unhealthy food can certainly yield some promising outcomes. Firstly, many fast food products provide very little or no information on the nutritional content in them, deterring the consumers from knowing the amount of fat, sodium or cholesterol which they take in. By being informed of how much of these harmful substances is contained in their favourite hamburgers or chips, as well as being shown the likely consequences of over-eating these foods, consumers can be more cautious the next time they choose their food. Secondly, education at schools can help to form healthy eating habits for children and parents. For instance, schools can hold some extracurricular activities such as growing and selling vegetables with the attendance of both students and parents, in order to promote the benefits of healthy diets and warn against the potential risks of junk food.
On the other hand, some people doubt the effectiveness of education for certain reasons. To begin with, despite being aware of the negative effects of fast food, many people who are too busy persist to eat it due to its being convenient and time-saving. In this case, education hardly makes a difference as they have made a choice. In addition, compared with the wide range and availability of fast food stores and menus, healthy food is seriously limited. Furthermore, healthy food is commonly inferior to fast food in terms of taste and prices as a matter of fact. As a result, however convincing education is, it is almost impossible for people to change their eating habit without a ready alternative to their unhealthy food choices.
In conclusion, people have different opinions about whether to support education so as to reduce people’s consumption of fast food. In my opinion, education can be a viable measure with careful consideration of other impediments.
Sample 2
Health experts and researchers have proven that the excessive consumption of junk food can be troublesome for one’s health. It has now given rise to many health-related concerns. A lot of fitness experts, dieticians, and nutritionists are trying to teach the people about the consequences and associated risks of junk food however some say that these efforts and awareness campaigns certainly help but they are not enough. This essay will discuss both the above given views and will arrive at a meaningful conclusion.
On the one hand, people have no idea of their daily intake of carbohydrates or fats. Both are present in higher quantity in all types of junk food. Hence excessive consumption of fast food may create many health problems in the future. The recent statistics show that there has been an increase in the incidences of heart problems, diabetic issues and obesity problems amongst even young people. To counter this, the government has already launched many health education campaigns. In my opinion, these campaigns certainly help people to distinguish healthy food from unhealthy food. For instance, in 2015, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) kicked-off a campaign against the junk food in 20 schools in New Delhi. Doctors visited these schools and delivered lectures along with workshops which brought a 20% drop in the rate of obesity in the following months among children going to those schools.
However, by simply imparting education about the importance of eating right, the government cannot reduce the consumption of junk food. To start with, many people who consume these convenience foods are highly educated. They know fast food harms their health; yet they consume it because they find it easy and convenient. For example, busy executives do not have time to cook proper meals. It is easier for them to grab a packet of instant noodles than to prepare dosa or chapathi at home. Health awareness programmes may not have the right effect on them. A better solution is to make healthy food more affordable and more easily available as well as to create healthier options in the instant food category for those having a lack of time to cook healthy meals.
To conclude, launching educational and awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of junk food is certainly beneficial; however, that alone is unlikely to reduce the consumption of junk food because lack of awareness is rarely the reason that encourages people to eat junk. A better solution is to make healthy food readily available.
