Politics in our Food
In recent years, the idea of a "fat" tax has been presented in not only The United States of America, but also many other first world countries through out the world.
As obesity rates expands in America many people want to progress, as Australia has done, and implement a national "fat" tax. The questions that follows is, "are you willing to pay a junk food tax?"
According to www.HealthofChildren.com, "Obesity is defined as the abnormal accumulation of body fat that averages 20 percent more than an individual’s ideal body weight." With this excess of fat causes health issues for the individual and increases the accumulative health costs of the population as a whole. Whether it is the consumption of a piece of cake at your favorite bakery or just buying a double cheeseburger at a local fastfood chain, we as a nation take in plenty of fatty foods that pool into the Obesity rate and overall costs of health.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012 149.3 million American at the age of 20 or older fall into the category of Obesity. With this unhealthy weight comes and increased risk of heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes as well as some forms of cancer. It is because of these factors that many people believe that in order to save lives and overall spending that Obesity rates must be battled.
It is at this moment that a paradox comes into play. Fatty and Junk food is ofter significantly less expensive then their fruit and vegetable counterparts. Then how can you get a large section of the population to buy healthier foods during and economic recession when Junk food is a cheaper alternative. This is when advocates of the "fat" tax push forward legislation to make junk food less enticing to potential consumers by increasing the products price.
Advocates point to other nations that have implemented a "fat" tax. In France, consumers are taxed for purchasing any type of sweetened drink.In Hungary, a junk food tax is put on foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt. In Denmark the tax works by charging rates that correspond with the percentage of fat in a product.
Even through its use in European countries many people still question if whether or not a "fat" tax would work in the US. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development states that the United States is in the most need when it comes to problems of obesity. It is because of statistics like these that we know that something must be done, the question is just, "what should we do".
The tax has shown to have some effect in other countries, but the same problems still arise. Some people view the tax as oppressive to the poorer people who may not be able to afford such taxes in this economic state.
In conclusion, the fact that America is struggling with an obesity problem is now in the open. We know that the problem must be delt with at one time are another, but the same questions still arise. Is a tax the best way to fight this battle and is the tax even a possible outcome in this economic recession.
As obesity rates expands in America many people want to progress, as Australia has done, and implement a national "fat" tax. The questions that follows is, "are you willing to pay a junk food tax?"
According to www.HealthofChildren.com, "Obesity is defined as the abnormal accumulation of body fat that averages 20 percent more than an individual’s ideal body weight." With this excess of fat causes health issues for the individual and increases the accumulative health costs of the population as a whole. Whether it is the consumption of a piece of cake at your favorite bakery or just buying a double cheeseburger at a local fastfood chain, we as a nation take in plenty of fatty foods that pool into the Obesity rate and overall costs of health.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012 149.3 million American at the age of 20 or older fall into the category of Obesity. With this unhealthy weight comes and increased risk of heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes as well as some forms of cancer. It is because of these factors that many people believe that in order to save lives and overall spending that Obesity rates must be battled.
It is at this moment that a paradox comes into play. Fatty and Junk food is ofter significantly less expensive then their fruit and vegetable counterparts. Then how can you get a large section of the population to buy healthier foods during and economic recession when Junk food is a cheaper alternative. This is when advocates of the "fat" tax push forward legislation to make junk food less enticing to potential consumers by increasing the products price.
Advocates point to other nations that have implemented a "fat" tax. In France, consumers are taxed for purchasing any type of sweetened drink.In Hungary, a junk food tax is put on foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt. In Denmark the tax works by charging rates that correspond with the percentage of fat in a product.
Even through its use in European countries many people still question if whether or not a "fat" tax would work in the US. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development states that the United States is in the most need when it comes to problems of obesity. It is because of statistics like these that we know that something must be done, the question is just, "what should we do".
The tax has shown to have some effect in other countries, but the same problems still arise. Some people view the tax as oppressive to the poorer people who may not be able to afford such taxes in this economic state.
In conclusion, the fact that America is struggling with an obesity problem is now in the open. We know that the problem must be delt with at one time are another, but the same questions still arise. Is a tax the best way to fight this battle and is the tax even a possible outcome in this economic recession.