Taxes on junk food will help decrease health problems
You’re at your house eating chips and other junk food and you know how delicious they are. What many people don't know is that eating this food can cause diabetes, obesity and other health problems. Many people in America eat junk food or eat at fast food restaurants every day or some people eat this type of food more that once a day. The extra money (taxes) will go towards helping fund healthy actives, food, and lifestyles. So, would taxing junk food help decrease health problems? I believe taxing junk food will help decrease health problems.
Many people eat junk food at least once a day or if not more. According to the article, “Tax on junk food can help pay the cost of diet-related diseases”, it states that EVERY DAY about 75 million Americans “supersize” themselves and by doing this it damages their health. It also states that about 40% of American meals are consumed and bought outside their home. This is almost half of the meals in America and if the percentage increases more and more Americans will become overweight or obese by eating this type of food.
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If people were to cut down on these damaging foods, many people won’t be obese or overweight. Quote from the article, “Tax on junk food can help pay the cost of diet-related diseases”, “No wonder 60 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese”. In the article it also states that for every children born, one of them will develop diabetes in their life times. It also states that obesity and diabetes are the nation’s number one health problems. By adding taxes people will stop buying the food that causes them to be overweight and
Obesity is very common in America, around 66% of American adults are overweight and nearly 33% are obese, which leads to heart disease, cancer, stroke and many other illness. Furthermore, the consume of fast food is in my opinion one of the worst decisions we can make, the food may be cheaper but it leads directly to overweight problems, and it not only damages our bodies but they undermine local business, farmers, and in the process they support they massive slaughter of animals. Ms. Lappe states “…modern livestock production has steered away toward the industrial-style production to highly destructive overgrazing “(858).By consuming food from fast food industries we support the destruction of lands, and the poor conditions in which the animals we consume are suffering. Moreover, changing from consuming fast food to healthier food is in my opinion a transition every individual should make since we cannot keep supporting the companies that literally destroy our world and our body with our
Obesity is an epidemic in America. Fast food can be compared to the same type of mindless addiction as cigarettes, and can be equally as dangerous. Not only is there a problem with fast food restaurants, but the food industry as a whole. Slaughterhouses that control 80% of the market produce meat in such a way that is not healthy for consumption, in turn the products are doused in harmful chemicals and still served to the public. No wonder the obesity rate in America is 69% and rising. Obesity is a true problem in our country- people are neglecting their health and quite literally eating themselves to death.
One of the most unhealthy diets in the world is that of an American. It is made up of processed foods and a good amount of television. America easily has the most fast food restaurants in the entire world. Leave it to McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King or any other fast-food restaurant to serve extremely cheap and even unhealthier food at any time during the day or night. ”It tastes good so why not?” That seems to be the question many people are asking now-a-days. Because it is so easily accessible and processed, it is made to be very tasty and extremely unhealthy. Many Americans find his or herself indulging on the these fatty foods of America on a day-to-day basis. While it may taste good at the time, it has a terrible effect on your body on a long-term basis. Eat it regularly, and it becomes a nasty and deadly habit and can cause heart failure, Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, high-blood pressure, and many other life threatening complications to the body. The American diet has a numerous amount of pitfalls and disgusting habits. The American diet is one of the worst diets because of its portions, processed foods, and how it is very cheap, but the American diet can be overcome with determination, a healthy diet, and an exercise routine.
It is sad. People from all races and backgrounds are obese. In a recent survey done at Henry Ford College, 43 percent of students were overweight. Whether it is because they do not follow a healthy diet or they inherited it from their parents. Being overweight is correlated with lacking exercise or physical activity and not watching what is on the plate. Obesity can cause many illnesses, including diabetes, which is very common. As the debate whether soda tax should take effect arises, critics say that the tax will help those with obesity-related illnesses. What about exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle? These two factors cannot be forgotten knowing they are the most important. Americans have consumed 12 percent of soda and become less active since 1970. A soda tax aims to stop consumers from buying soda to help those who are obese. This will not be effective. Therefore a soda tax will not be good public policy.
For years, the United States government has been trying to find a way to lower the obesity in the country. However, the approach it is using, i.e. taxing unhealthy food, is not the most effective one. People are going to purchase whatever products they wish, whether the price is increased a few cents or not. Junk food options are already set at a more reasonable price than healthy foods, enticing people to buy these less expensive goods. Even though putting a tax on other products, such as tobacco, has served the intended purpose, food is a necessity humans must have for survival. Society is used to consuming foods they want, and will continue to do so. Putting a tax on unhealthy food will not necessarily lower the obesity rate because there are other factors that contribute to this problem. Moreover, taxing measures are usually intended for the collective benefit of society rather than the individual. They are usually perceived as another way the government uses to take money out of the citizens’ pockets. Ultimately, thinking that higher taxes on unhealthy foods will help curb down the obesity rate in the country would be similar to say that cost is the sole contributing factor to this public health problem. Imposing taxes will not help lower the consumption level because these foods will still have lower prices than healthier choices. Taxes do not impact the nutritional value of foods, and their only predictable effect is to help in generating additional revenue for the government.
Everyday Americans die from the diseases they carry from obesity. Many Americans over eat because their social problems or because they are hereditary. Many plans have been discussed but finding the solution is the problem. Junk foods and unhealthy beverages have corrupted children’s minds all over the nation and putting a stop on it could lead to other benefits. Unhealthy foods and drinks should be taxed and healthy foods should be advertised more to help prevent American obesity.
Because obesity has many causes, people do not think the government implementing regulations on food will influence healthy decisions. In Charles Baum's article, “In Fight With Obesity, a Bigger Government is the Wrong Weapon,” he tells reasons why the government would not help obesity rates go down by making regulations on food. In the article, he states, “Obesity is the result of overconsumption of calories. And as our research demonstrated, people find a variety of ways to do this” (Baum). Baum says that other causes of obesity like people quitting smoking and lacking regular exercise will keep obesity rates high even if the government puts regulations on food. However, having easier, healthy food and exercise choices could increase people’s healthy behaviors. In the article, “The Experts: What Role Should Government Play in Combating Obesity?” many experts discuss their thoughts on how much involvement the government should have in fighting obesity. Cassella states that the government sho...
As a market failure, the obesity epidemic in America is costing the federal government billions of dollars annually. While most obesity prevention programs aim toward changing the rate of children who become obese, many fail, causing an inefficient allocation of government resources. Much of what 's already been done has proven to barely be a speed bump in the progression that is the obesity epidemic. Several solutions which can be explored to effective halt this progression. The taxation of certain unhealthy foods, government benefits and subsidies for organic produce farmers, and passing new legislation to regulate the amount of calories a fast food restaurant is allowed to serve you, just to name a few. These solutions, however, are only effective if they affect the lives of the majority of the population, therefore preventing obesity, whilst correctly allocating valuable government resources efficiently. ...
President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico issued a law stating that all junk foods and unhealthy products are to be taxed, aiming to tackle the rates of obesity. This action will have an effect on the economic scale of Mexico but the president aims that in the next few years fewer citizens will be diagnosed with obesity which will have a positive impact on medical expenditure [The Guardian,Sarah Boseley,2013].Several countries in Europe and Scandinavia has adapted to this law as
Not only will you gain weight, you will have higher risks for chronic diseases, and there are many things that come from eating these foods that are high in fat, salt, calories and sugars. One of the things you can get from eating fast food too often is Obesity. In America, the obesity rates are higher than ever. With obesity comes many other risks. Stanford Health Care has written an article, “ Obesity Causes” proves the many negative effects that comes with obesity. The article states, “ Obesity has a far-ranging negative effect on health. Each year obesity-related conditions cost over 150 billion dollars and cause an estimated 300,000 premature deaths in the US. The health effects associated with obesity include, but are not limited to, the following: Heart disease, type 2 diabetes and bone and joint disease. ” ( Stanford Health Care ). All three of the diseases listed above are life threatening and have many negative effects that make day to day life much harder than it should be. With knowing these things and it being a problem is that hamburger really worth the repercussions that can come with it? These diseases need to be made known to the general public so they will think before making fast food a daily
It is painful to love and not be loved back, and it’s agonizing to lock your self in an imaginary palace where, only there, your love had fallen for you. In this story, Araby by James Joyce, the narrator portrays his one-sided love story as a young boy, or rather his feelings throughout it, and it was not a happy story. As I sat to write this post, the warning I heard from a narrator of some romantic movie echoed in my ears, and here I am doing my part and telling you that “you should know upfront, this is not a love story” (Tuchinsky & Webb, 2009). I chose this story because of its name, as I, myself, am Araby. I thought it would talk about some eastern culture the narrator is fond of, and it turned out to be the complete opposite; he didn’t have the slightest interest in the Arabic culture.
The government should tax junk foods and subsidize the prices of healthy foods so that America’s social rankings and incomes don’t effect citizen’s diets. To start things off, about 15%, or 42 million, of the U.S. population live below the poverty line
Obesity is a big social issue in America. Due to the popularity of fast food and other unhealthy foods, more and more Americans are developing health diseases and disorders. We should be getting the correct daily nutrition amount, but because of our fast paced lifestyles we sometimes do not have enough time. Fast food restaurants make it possible to grab a meal and go. We often do not pay attention to the nutrition amount, but are simply looking for a quick bite to eat that will fulfill our hunger. Fast food is assisting in the increase of obesity in America (“Phrase” par.2).
In America over 300,000 people are obese and that number continues to grow because the about of junk food that is being consumed. This cost the economy one hundred billion dollars. That more damage done than smoking or drinking. (Crowley, Michael 5) There are other health problems, such as heart diseases, chronic diseases, and type-two diabetes that occur because of junk food. Increasing the price of junk food, by adding tax, researchers hope that this will prod people to reject unhealthy foods. Taxes will also encourage a healthier lifestyle, even in low-income families (Franck, Caroline 2).
It became so clear that junk foods lead to a punch of catastrophic diseases like obesity, type two diabetes, vascular diseases and cardiac disorders. Those kinds of diseases cost more than $150 billion annually, just to diagnose, treat people who suffer from them. That disease is chronic and leads to many health-related issues, for example, obesity considers a risk factor for type two diabetes, and high blood pressure, joint disorders and many others (The Denver Post 2012). The key of preventing many chronic problems is nutrition. Low income plays an important role of limiting most people to buy and eat a healthy diet and in the other hand, it is easy for people budgets to purchase junk foods. So controlling the prices of healthy foods to be suitable for all people make good nutrition available for everyone. Adequate diets mean decreasing the epidemic of those serious diseases, and stopping the spread and break the bad sequences that may happen. Long-term exposure to junk foods that are full with chemicals like additives, preservatives have led to chronic illnesses difficult to treat. Also, the chemical added to junk foods are tasted unique and made millions of people becoming addicted to them and are available everywhere for example in restaurants, cafes, lunchrooms (The Denver Post