How Should We Reduce Obesity in America?

NOW THAT YOU’VE HAD a chance to participate in a forum on this issue, we’d like to know what you are thinking. Your opinions, along with those of thousands of others who participated in these forums, will be reflected in a summary report that will be available to all citizens, including those who took part in the forums, as well as officeholders, members of the news media, and others in your community.

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* 1. Do you agree or disagree with the statements below?

  Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Sure
Obesity is an important health problem, but it’s not a top priority for government action given all the other issues we face.
For the most part, obesity is caused by individuals making bad choices.
In the end, it’s unlikely that any steps taken by the government to combat obesity will be particularly effective.
Government regulations should strictly control the advertising of soda, candy, and other unhealthy snacks aimed at reaching children.
Obesity is a major contributor to high health costs and we’re all paying the price.
We should once again make physical fitness a national priority the way it was under President Kennedy.

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* 2. Do you favor or oppose each of these actions?

  Strongly Favor Somewhat Favor Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose Not Sure
Parents should lobby their children’s schools to remove vending machines that sell unhealthy snacks, EVEN IF this will leave some children hungry and without energy during the school day.
The government should raise taxes on foods containing unhealthy amounts of sugar such as 32-ounce sodas in movie theatres, EVEN IF this restricts our freedom to choose what we consume.
City zoning laws should require all new developments to include sidewalks, bike paths and open space, EVEN IF these amenities would raise the price of housing in those areas.
PTAs should stop selling junk food to raise funds, EVEN IF other less popular items would result in less income for school trips, playground equipment, or other needed item items.
Schools should require gym classes and outdoor exercise each day, EVEN IF that cuts into time allotted for academics.

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* 3. Are you thinking differently about this issue now that you have participated in the forum?

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* 4. In your forum, did you talk about aspects of the issue you hadn’t considered before?

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* 5. What, if anything, might citizens in your community do differently as a result of this forum?

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* 6. Not including this forum, how many National Issues Forums have you attended?

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* 7. Are you male or female?

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* 8. How old are you?

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* 9. Are you:

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* 10. Where do you live?

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* 11. What is your zip code?

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* 12. What state do you live in?

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