Global Economic Development

Global Economic Development

Using the assigned readings, information from the literature, and the following article (Meetoo, D. (2010). The imperative of human obesity: An ethical reflection. British Journal of Nursing, 19(9), 563-568.) compose a response to the following:

The author describes the role of global economic development and its influence on the increased incidence of chronic illness. Ethical pros and cons of “abolishing obesogenic environments to prevent pandemic chronic diseases” are offered.

Respond to the following in your initial post and give support, reasoning, or evidence behind your position:

1. Reflect on the recommendation to enact laws with the intent to decrease obesity rates and subsequent chronic illness. How does this compare to the legislation that addressed smoking rates and its attempt to decrease the incidence of smoking related chronic disease? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Is it realistic to consider that, left unchecked, obesity will overcome smoking as the leading cause of preventable death?
2. What are the ethical pros and cons of allowing individuals to live their lives of their own choosing even when it results in an increasing chronic illness burden to society?