1. Bicycles Obesity is a serious health problem as noted by Howard Frumkin (S&K

Question

1. Bicycles

Obesity is a serious health problem as noted by Howard Frumkin (S&K Reader, pp. 156-157). For children, more physical exercise is one response. Bicycles can help but poor children may not be able to buy one. Should local governments, in cooperation with non-profit organizations, subsidize bike sharing through locations in poor neighborhoods with free passes for eligible poor children?

Reference: John Greenfield. "Divvy Will Add 40 More Stations This Year, Increasing Density in Underserved Areas [of Chicago]: Streetsblog (June 14, 2017)(http://chi.streetsblog/2017/06/14/divvy-will-add-40-more-stations-this-year-increasing-density-in-underserved-areas/

2. Reducing Urban Sprawl

In his article in Chapter 6, Howard Frumkin identifies urban sprawl and dependency upon the automobile as a cause of health problems (p. 153). One land use planning approach to limiting urban sprawl is the creation of "urban growth boundaries" (UGBs) to restrict outward development in metro areas until already existing areas are fully developed (Frumkin, S&K Reader, p. 163). Portland, Oregon has been a leading example of a UGB to prevent urban sprawl and protect farmlands and forests. Should metro areas, including sprawling Great Cleveland, adopt the UGB policy to restrict development of more "exurbs"?

Explanation / Answer

1)

There are variety of factors that contribute to the problem of obesity, which makes it a complex health issue. Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance, which involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activities. Individual behaviour and our environment contribute largely to the obesity epidemic.

Individual Behaviours which leads to obesity

Increased consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, low consumption of fruits and vegetables and increased frequency of meals eaten away from home. Very less time spent on physical activities. Way of living also increase obesity problem if there is no physical activity involved in day to day living.

Food Environment which leads to obesity

Increased number of fast food establishment, unaffordability of healthful food, advertisement of less healthy food and beverage.

As it is not a problem backed by single or any small reason, local governement should care about this and take necessary steps to find a solution.

Local government should care because of the following reasons :

Cost of obesity is very high - Annual medical expenses due to obesity is too high and non-affordable for poor people.

Local governement officials are community leaders and can enact policies that support healthy community design. For example, creaing more parks, and open spaces for recreation, bike facilities, equal distribution of healthy foods to all communities (riich and poor).

Cycling is a very good mode of physical exercise which help reduce obesity. However, bicycles are not cheap materials. But for a better and healthy environment, local government can take a few steps. They can implement new modes of transportation. They should encourage cycling to perform day to day works - to schools, to colleges, to market. They should distribute cycles to poor children, who cannot afford to buy one. Government should implement a method of subsidized bike sharing for children to schools.

Local governement plays a huge role in changing environmental settings to reduce obesity.

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