Obesity Should Unhealthy Food Be Taxed - 951 Words

Solving Obesity: Should Unhealthy Food Be Taxed There is an epidemic striking the United States. This epidemic, one of obesity, can contribute much of its growth over the last half century to one common link: junk food. Michael Thomas, correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, doubts the effectiveness of imposing a â€Å"junk food† tax in an attempt to curb obesity. With support from respected scientists in the nutrition field, like Dr. Oliver Mytton, Mr. Thomas could not be more wrong. While people like Thomas believe there is little hope to solve this problem, in reality a junk food tax is the best approach we can take. If the government intervenes with taxation on unhealthy foods, there will be a less consumer demand for this food group and would mark a significant step in controlling the obesity epidemic. In an article published in 2015 by U.S. News and World Report, author Michael Thomas expressed his doubt to any proposed tax on fatty or junk foods. His article had the agenda to debunk the notion that a quick fix would be possible, or even worth trying, to help fight this junk food problem. Quoting a USDA report that, â€Å"23.5 million U.S. citizens live in food deserts†, he addresses that these deserts (defined as an urban area where fresh food is difficult to find) tend to be the residence of the highest consumers of junk food. He makes the rationale that these urban residences would be rather unresponsive to a tax, and ultimately have less disposable income for otherShow MoreRelatedShould Junk Food Be Taxed More?1738 Words   |  7 PagesShould Junk Food be taxed more to discourage consumption? Junk Food should be taxed more for reasons such as Obesity, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure, etc. These health risks are linked to the consumption of Junk Food, which is consume d every day by many Americans. â€Å"10 percent tax would reduce consumption of soda by 8 to 10 percent.† Even though some people believe that Junk Food Tax won’t curb the many diseases linked to it, Junk Food Taxes could decrease the risks of diseases, limit consumptionRead MoreThe Cost Recovery Act And Tobacco Litigation1348 Words   |  6 Pagesgovernment puts on junk and fatty food, it will not stop people from eating them. 2. In the academic journal, â€Å"The Cost Recovery Act and Tobacco Litigation in Canada: A Model for Fast Food Litigation,† the states: One of the most well-known fast food litigation cases in the United States is Pelman v. McDonald s Corp. In Pelman, two minors sued the fast food restaurant McDonalds claiming, among other things, that McDonalds acted at least negligently in selling food products that are high in cholesterolRead MoreBenefits Of A Fat Tax Essay1189 Words   |  5 Pagesto solve this ever-growing obesity problem is to introduce a fat tax. However, New Zealand should not introduce a fat tax as it would be unfair, as those who are not obese would be forced to bear the costs, regressive, as it would mainly affect poorer and older consumers, and ineffective, as there is no research to suggest that it works. Opponent’s position My opponent believes that a fat tax would redistribute consumption away from unhealthy food and towards healthy foods, and raise tax money thatRead MoreEssay on Why Junk Food Should Be Taxed741 Words   |  3 PagesJunk Food should be Taxed Who has not eaten junk food at least once? I did it, and to me, as to many Americans, the junk food is the most delicious type of food. However, I know it is the unhealthiest food and the main cause of obesity in the United States. On the other hand, the U.S. government feels that is important to intervene in junk food lover’s lives to help them to improve their health and their food choices. In order to combat the obesity and other health problems that junk food causesRead MoreJunk Food Should Be Taxed At A High Price856 Words   |  4 Pagestaxes on junk food to regulate the amount of junk food individuals buy. Many individuals believe that junk food should be taxed at a high price and that healthy foods should be cheaper. The selections, â€Å"Evolution’s Sweet Tooth† by Daniel E. Lieberman and â€Å"Bad Food? Tax It, and Subsidize Vegetables† by Mark Bittman, discuss the fact that many adults consume large amounts of unhealthy food products and that adults should eat more of healthy foods. The article, â€Å"Addiction to Unhealthy Foods Shouldn’t RequireRead MoreThe Effects Of Obesity On American Adults And Children1213 Words   |  5 PagesThe Effects of Obesity Obesity is on the rise in American adults and children. Over 78.6 million Americans are considered obese (CDC, 2014). Health experts believe the obesity crisis has become an epidemic that needs to be controlled. Today many efforts are being made by Federal and state governments and some major companies to combat obesity in adults and children. For example, some major companies are rewarding employees with cash incentives for exercising regularly and maintaining a healthyRead MoreEssay On Fighting Obesity Through Taxation1408 Words   |  6 PagesFighting obesity through taxation: Are fat-taxes effective? 1. Introduction The global growing number of obese among adults and children is alarming and is one of the biggest public health issues that health systems are facing (Laura Cornelsen et al. 2014). In 2014 adults overweight prevalence was estimated at 1.9 billion worldwide of these 600 million were obese and this number keeps increasing at a noticeable pace. Nearly one-thirds of the world population is obese or overweight and 41 millionRead MorePutting A Tax On Junk Food Essay1943 Words   |  8 Pagesparents and guardians would have to pay more for the food that they want. However, I personally don’t agree with this statement, from my perspective, putting a tax on junk food won’t necessarily eradicate the obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemics from overconsuming junk foods, but it will reduce the consumption by a certain amount, however it’s something that’s not going to happen overnight. This is similar to smoking in the sense that smoking is taxed because it’s p ernicious not only to the person concernedRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic in the United States664 Words   |  3 Pagesa high obesity level. According to David Frum from CNN, except for Mexicans, American citizens are more likely to become obese than any other nationality. Some obese countries have enforced an extra high tax on fast foods and other high calorie foods, and many people believe that the U.S. should adopt the fat tax as well. According to Dictionary.com, the fat tax is â€Å"a tax imposed on or proposed for high-fat or otherwise unhealthy foodstuffs†. Although a tax on junk food could reduce obesity, the lowRead MoreThe Economics Of Obesity And Obesity1180 Words   |  5 PagesEconomics of Obesity Obesity’s presence has reached much larger magnitudes than ever before in human history. 33% of adults and above 20% of children in the U.S. are classified as obese as concluded by Duke University (â€Å"Over a Lifetime†). Although obesity appears to be strictly a medical problem, many new studies are showing that obesity is linked to numerous factors such as society, technology, politics, and economics. As a result of multifarious fields, reducing childhood obesity in the U.S. is