Obesity in America

 

 As scales across the country continue to rise, it becomes more and more clear that America is facing an obesity epidemic. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese(http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm).  Obesity can lead to a variety of minor to severe health problems, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Obesity can be very expensive to treat. "The estimated annual health care costs of obesity-related illness are a staggering $190.2 billion or nearly 21% of annual medical spending in the United States. Childhood obesity alone is responsible for $14 billion in direct medical costs." (http://www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org/learn-the-facts/economic-costs-of-obesity/) This cost is likely to increase if obesity levels stay the same or continue to grow. The National Institutes of Health found that extreme cases of obesity may shorten life expectancy up to 14 years. This is a dramatic reduction in life expectancy compared with people of normal weight (http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jul2014/nci-08.htm). It is troubling to consider that obesity could be a result of younger generations having a shorter life span than that of their parents or grandparents. So what should we do about this problem?

Junk Food Tax

 Food is fuel for your body and has a direct impact on how you feel. Research and personal experience shows that foods that contain large amounts of carbohydrates, added sugar, unhealthy fats, and salt affect your body negatively. These foods generally contain a high number of calories and offer little to no nutritional value to our bodies. These kinds of foods usually make a person sleepy, and slows down the brain, making a person less active and productive. These foods are typically more convenient and in most cases less expensive. This excuse however is not convenient when you no longer have the energy to work or focus on tasks, play with your kids, go on hikes, or do other basic daily actives. How much cheaper is it, when all this bad eating has landed you in the hospital because of a stroke, or when you have to start buying monthly diabetes medication? Truth is, eating fast food/junk food is no more convenient or affordable. Too many Americans have become far too lazy and with that also came weight gain. To gain control of expanding waistlines in America, we need to
"fat tax" foods of little or no nutritional value—chips, soda, candy, pastries, fast food— and also reduce prices of healthy alternatives.

Fat Tax Support

A fat tax would aim to decrease the consumption of foods that are linked to obesity. Numerous studies suggest that the low price of junk food/fast food is what leads to individuals getting fatter. In fact, eating behaviors may be more responsive to price increases than to nutritional education. "One U.S. study reviewed by Mytton and his colleagues found a 35% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks — $0.45 per drink — led to a 26% decline in sales. Based on their analysis of modeling studies, they concluded a 20% tax on sugary drinks in the U.S. would reduce obesity levels by 3.5% — from 33.5% to 30% among adults."(http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/16/study-a-20-fat-tax-would-improve-public-health/). An Eastern European report found that putting specific taxes on sugar, salt or fat do cause reductions in consumption. Taxes on alcohol and cigarettes have been commonplace in America, where as taxes on specific unhealthy foods and drinks have not been. America needs to jump on board with this idea. Not only might it decrease consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks, possibly increasing the consumption of healthier foods, and resulting in weight loss - but it could also potentially decrease the amount of health related cases in America that are tied to obesity. In addition to health, this may also impact Americans in other aspects of their lives, including personal/family relationships, work life, and income. What if taxing unhealthy foods went towards increasing employee wages, and creating more jobs. What if it helped pay for healthcare reform and provided coverage for those uninsured? There are so many benefits to taxing foods of little or no nutritional value.

Fat Tax Objections

Many objections can be made on the topic of  taxing unhealthy foods. For one it is difficult to know which foods deserve a fat tax. There are many foods that if consumed in excessive quantities could contribute to obesity, for example cheese. Obesity is caused by more factors than just over-consumption of foods high in fat, salts or sugars. Just taxing unhealthy foods alone will not fix the large portion sizes or the amount of exercising Americans chose to do. Some believe that taxing food will not change the consumers eating habits. People are responsible for their own health and weight, not the products. 

The Fax Tax and Smokers' Surcharge

Could a 'fat-tax' affect obesity?

Positves Outcomes to Fat Taxing

Consumption of Fatty foods have external costs on society. Consuming unhealthy foods is one of the main contributors to obesity.  Some negatives that come from obesity are: 1. Higher health care costs due to treating diseases related to obesity, such as, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. 2 Time lost at work due to obesity issues. 3. Those who are obese are less likely to be employed, meaning lower tax revenue and higher welfare spending on benefits. By taxing Fatty foods, educating and empowering Americans, we could encourage a healthier diet, which would lead to improved health and would reduce the amount of related diseases. This would encourage producers to supply foods lower in fat and sugar. Fast food restaurants would have incentive to provide a wider and healthier range of foods. We could potentially raise revenue. By increasing the tax on fatty foods, the government could use that money to offset other taxes, be used to cover health care, or medical research. “Choosing an apple instead of a candy bar may also make the difference between a good mood and a bad mood. Although the relationship is not entirely understood, well-balanced nutrition and mental health are integrally related. Eating nutrient-dense foods at regular intervals will help you feel more positive and energetic” (http://www.livestrong.com/article/363643-how-does-eating-healthy-make-you-feel-better-about-yourself/). If more Americans lived a healthier life and had a healthier diet, we would have a happier, healthier, and more productive country.