IELTS Task 2: Rising Obesity
The Question
In many countries, the proportion of overweight people is increasing. What do you think are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it? Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- •Causes: sedentary lifestyles, cheap calorie-dense processed food, larger portions, less time to cook
- •Solutions (government): regulation of advertising, taxes on unhealthy food, public health campaigns, urban design for activity
- •Solutions (individual): better diet, regular exercise, cooking at home
- •Link each solution back to a specific cause; develop each fully
Sample Band 8 Response
201 wordsWritten by EduForEveryone — for guidance only. Not an official examiner response.
In many countries, an ever-larger proportion of the population is overweight. This essay will examine the main causes of this trend and propose measures to address it.
Two causes stand out. First, modern lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary: people drive rather than walk, work at desks, and spend their leisure time in front of screens. Second, diets have deteriorated, as cheap, calorie-dense processed foods and oversized portions have become the norm, while busy schedules leave little time to prepare healthy meals at home.
Both governments and individuals can respond. Governments could regulate the advertising of junk food, particularly to children, introduce taxes on sugary products, and fund public-health campaigns promoting exercise and nutrition. Designing towns and cities to encourage walking and cycling would also help. At the individual level, people need to take responsibility for their own health by choosing balanced diets, cooking at home, and exercising regularly. Schools have a vital role in instilling these habits from an early age.
In conclusion, rising obesity is driven mainly by inactive lifestyles and poor diet. Tackling it effectively will require a combination of government regulation and personal responsibility. If both act together, the worrying upward trend in obesity can realistically be reversed.