Lobbying for certain topics within our society can have both a positive and negative effects on national guidelines. Guidelines like physical activity and nutrition in different stages of life. Of course, there are lobbyists that shoot for their own personal gain, or the company they are lobbying. However, there are lobbyists that strive for positive repercussions within today’s communities. Bringing in accommodating companies or non-profit organizations that have a positive vision, can help all kinds of people. ProMedica is one of these companies that have “prescribed” foods for certain individuals to help with nutritional health. In order for us to grow as a society, we all must come together and work towards the greater good. A healthy society produces healthy innovations and offspring.
Nutritional guidelines are set each year, for America to retain its healthy image. Of course, companies like McDonalds and Burger King share some of the world’s leading marketing companies. This is an unfortunate quality of nutrition since these companies influence more obese people, out of convenience and misinformation. They promote all their products, all perfectly atoned on the screen, when none of the sandwiches turn out anything like on their marketing platforms. They don’t share certain important information with the people they are marketing to. Information like the amount of sugars, fats, calories, and high fructose corn syrup that their products are composed of. When someone eats this type of food daily, they are more prone of becoming obese.
Furthermore, there is always good in the midst of bad. There is a company called ProMedica that is “prescribing” foods to individuals that aren’t meeting certain dietary requirements, resulting in them being obese or lacking in nutrition (Morrison, 2017). In order for us to meet certain guidelines, we must reach a certain caloric intake and other micro and macro nutrients. It all depends on our own proprietary weight, age, and physical activity level. ProMedica is giving people that are in low-income families that possibility of obtaining their proper nutrients. Of course, they can only help as many people as possible within their society, but it could expand to higher non-profit organization and branch out further.
Meanwhile in the year 2021, there are 213 current companies that are being lobbied within the nutritional field. These mainly are major companies that span all the way across the world. Furthermore, there are numerous smaller organizations that are organized as well. Some place local is the Wyoming Food for Thought Project, that grows, and gather foods through donations and other means for people in low-income families (Wyoming Food for Thought Project, 2021). This may not be nationally known; however, it is something that has been lobbied a lot here in Casper, Wyoming. It directly effects the nutritional guidelines, especially in our younger generation since they focus on food for children. I personally volunteer at this facility, and there was a moment when we made 400 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for child’s lunches.
So, in conclusion, we can all focus on the negatives of this world and our nations guidelines. Or we can look to the other side and prove that the grass really is greener on the other side. Going into our daily endeavors with a positive outlook, we can put forth a stronger positive influence on ourselves and those around us. There are companies that shoot for their own personal gain, however companies like ProMedica are enforcing positive change into our societies. It may be in one city, but through the right streams of media, it could expand into a national level. Implementing guidelines that are obtainable, realistic, and complete for proper nutritional status.
-Cyral I Callender III April 12, 2022
References:
MORRISON, I. (2017). TAKING ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. (cover story). H&HN: Hospitals & Health Networks, 91(11), 20–24.
Open Secrets. (n.d.) Issue Profile: Food Industry. Retrieved from: https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/issues/summary?cycle=2021&id=FOO
Wyoming Food for Though Project. (2021). Changing the System for Good. Retrieved from: https://www.wyomingfoodforthoughtproject.org/
Health and Wellness Repertoire 
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