Obesity has been a very large, growing problem in America since the 1970s. This is becoming an increasing issue for those of them who are affected by obesity, especially because their health is at stake. What is obesity exactly? According to Labor Law Journal, “Obesity is defined as being more than twice one’s optimal weight or more than 100 pounds over one’s optimal weight.” For many American’s, obesity can be diagnosed by the naked eye. What people cannot see, however, is the health problems brought on by obesity. A very common disease it brings is type II diabetes. Five researchers studying obesity have investigated the relationship between obesity and diabetes: “The risk for development of type II diabetes is positively correlated with BMI, and this disease is 20 times more likely to develop in persons with BMI 35.0 or greater” (Boogerd, Alverdy, Kumar, Olsen, and Schwenk 725-732). Sadly, obesity is ruining innocent lives. America’s belts have expanded and kitchen pantries have grown with little effort to solve the problem. In order to combat obesity by 2024, a tax will be placed on all foods with fat-bearing ingredients after consulting with Congress representatives and eventually business owners of small stores, restaurants, and even vending machines.
Quite a majority of people may argue that obesity is not that big of a deal. This majority of people include those of them who are obese, and those of them who are not obese. Obese Americans that don’t see this as a crisis may see themselves as healthy and perfectly fine. Seeing other obese people around them, they may not see obesity as anything to worry about, and would think large people are simply big boned and have a little extra fat. So what? However, they cannot see the underlying problems that will arise in the future, and these problems can even erupt unexpectedly. Studies have shown that obesity brings on several diseases. “The Framingham Heart Study revealed that body weight is positively correlated with development of congestive heart failure. Excessive body weight is linked with high total cholesterol level…” (Boogerd, Alverdy, Kumar, Olsen, and Schwenk 725-724). Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and many others might have the potential to cause an early death, and obese people ought to show concerns. Treatment procedures for these diseases also cost Americans thousands of dollars. It is a much greater investment to be conscious of health and avoid the crippling medical bills.
Americans that are not obese may see obesity as an unimportant issue simply because they are not the ones being affected. Obesity is not their lifestyle and they have no concern about things that do not involve them. They make a solid point about showing no concern; however, the possibility of becoming obese is still alive. As humans age, metabolism slows down. Weight gain can happen to anyone especially if they have poor diet, lack exercise, and for women who have given birth. Friends and family of thinner people might be obese and should be considered. If friends or family members are obese, there ought to be more concern for the issue as a whole. For those of them who are thin and are not obese, they should take it seriously since it has that chance of happening to them, and since it could involve loved ones. As stated earlier, medical bills can pop up and cost families thousands, even the healthy family members. Obesity is a growing problem that weakens the lives of millions of Americans. The number one problem associated with it is diseases and health problems. Cancer, for example, is a substantial problem everyone wishes to avoid. If a person is obese, cancer might be hard to dodge. “The incidence of cancer is increased significantly in obese patients, especially in obese women. In a population-based Swedish study, Wolk et al reported increased risk for cancer of ne, colon, gallbladder, pancreas, larynx, the small intestine…ovary, brain, and connective tissue” (Boogerd, Alverdy, Kumar, Olsen, and Schwenk 725-724). It might be hard to believe, but being overweight can really put bodies out of whack, which explains the increased risk of cancer in so many places.
Obese people also suffer from discrimination from peers, and even employers. Thousands of children are bullied in their schools because of their body weight. The same happens to adults, but more so in the job industry. “On the whole they have repeatedly found that obese people are consistently discriminated against, with women suffering even greater prejudice than men. Overweight people attract stigmas about their characters and approach to work: included in these are that they must be lacking in self-discipline, less neat, less productive, less ambitious, less determined, have poor personal hygiene and are unprofessional” (Human Resource Management International Digest 26-28). While this is unfair, it is a reality in some places in America. This is a part of the reason as to why the unemployment rate is higher.
To begin tackling the obesity issue and lower its rate, a 1% tax will be placed on foods with certain ingredients for two years. After those two years, the tax will increase to 2% the following year, 3% the year following that, and so forth. After ten years, the tax will halt at 10%. Foods in all stores and restaurants containing high fructose corn syrup, more than 2g of Trans fat, and more than 2,000mg of sodium will include the tax. Money from this tax will be used to fund education. This solution is most likely to lower obesity rates, but many American’s will oppose the solution. Many people would argue that this makes it hard to eat what is desired. Obese people specifically would argue that this solution is unfair since healthy food is not often preferred by them. People that are not obese would argue that they would like some of these “bad foods” every now and then, and it is unfair to limit them to just healthy foods. Another major issue with the solution deals with food manufacturers. “The fat tax idea has angered food manufacturers who claim the public would rebel…” (Poulter). Yes, the public would rebel a bit, but with Americans buying less of popular food products, food manufacturers will be making less of the particular food. As a result, layoffs occur. Healthy foods are also sometimes seen as being more expensive and can suggest a problem with the solution.
Instead of the solution creating problems for people, it can actually help them out. For those of them who are not obese, this tax lowers the incentive to buy unhealthy foods, and greatly reduces risk for gaining weight in the future. Junk food is not prohibited necessarily, and if they really are feeling for a Big Mac or a Snickers Bar, they are fine to have it, as long as it is not daily. Thankfully, the tax will prohibit this from being a daily habit. Americans who are obese and would rebel, the tax could instead be thought of as an incentive to at least consider healthy food now that it costs less than unhealthy food. With more healthy foods in the diet, obese Americans will gain more energy, and motivation, thus allowing the obesity rates to gradually decline. While they might want to have a treat some days, once again, they are not forbidden to buy junk food, but have enough of an incentive to slow it down. If there are some real unhealthy food addicts in the world, nothing will stop them. Fortunately, this is not the majority of the population, and obesity rates can still lower. To give food manufacturers peace of mind, it is recommended that they take out or replace fat-bearing ingredients that involve the tax. To combat the problem of expensive healthy foods, these certain foods will not need to be adjusted. Once the tax increases over the years, junk food would potentially become more expensive, even if it is by a small number.
In order to put the plan into action, the tax must first be passed by Congress representatives. Campaigns are certainly helpful to support the solution, but opposition might arise. Some representatives may argue that this will hurt the economy since consumers will try to spend less. Julian Hunt, a member of the Food and Drink Federation, stated that “it may be a perfectly sensible issue to debate, but such a regressive taxation policy would do nothing more than create lighter wallets for consumers.” This should not be a large issue. People will not starve themselves. If people really do not have the extra cash to spend on junk food, they will simply have to buy healthier food since a majority of it is at a reasonable price. Congress should also consider that the tax money will go straight to funding education for America. Schools are slowly becoming short of money and every penny helps. Smarter Americans equals a brighter future. Once Congress votes and passes the law, the President will sign it, and the tax will be born. This process will take approximately three to eight months. After informing the entire nation’s businesses and store owners of food products about the tax, consumers will be informed about the change via newspaper, commercial, and store signs. This process will take around two months to initiate since there is such a large network of food companies. Along with this, billions of food items will be investigated. Business and store owners may argue that they will make fewer sales. They might think that consumers will dislike the tax and avoid spending. Instead of worrying, business and store owners ought to introduce healthier food items, or use the same items but with none of the fat-bearing ingredients. With this in mind, there should be little to no worry with income.
Solving the problem of obesity is imperative because America’s health will continue to decline and the unemployment rates will not get any better. Innocent victims of obesity have shortened lifespans and are paying thousands of dollars to get treatment for a lifelong disease they developed. Obesity discrimination is unnecessary and certainly does not help the job economy. Applying a tax to foods with high fructose corn syrup, more than 2g of Trans fat, and more than 2,000mg of sodium is the only necessary solution to obesity. Healthy diet and exercise are the key components to health. Unfortunately, exercise cannot be forced onto people. The only thing left to do is give people an incentive to buy less junk food and buy more health foods.
Implementation is crucial in putting the plan into action, and reducing obesity rates. The real problem seen here is processed junk foods. This is the number one cause of obesity in America. People cannot seem to help themselves because those foods with high fat, sodium, and corn syrup have much more flavor than fruits and vegetables. As long as work is done to back people away from these unhealthy foods, obesity will begin to fade away. If America can successfully lower obesity rates, heart diseases, cancers, and diabetes will begin to halt. Jobs will be more willing to hire, and the state of the economy will improve with no doubt. With the tax helping to fund education, citizens will make smarter choices, and American life will start to become bliss again. There will be no more worries about obese loved ones and expensive medical bills to pay. With this solution afloat, obesity will eventually cease to exist and America’s belts will shrink again.
Works Cited
1. Boogard, Annette; John Alverdy; Seema Kumar; Diane L Olsen; W.F. Schwenk. “Obesity.” Disease-A-Month. 48; 11. 2002. Pp. 725-742.
2. Johnson, Theresa; Wilson, Mary C. “An Analysis of Weight-Based Discrimination: Obesity as a Disability.” Labor Law Journal. CCH Inc. 1995. P. 238.
3. Poulter, Sean. “Fat Tax on Junk Food as Prices may Rise to Boos the War Against Obesity.” Glam Entertainment. Associated Newspapers Ltd. 2011.
4. Ross, Michael; Kolbash, Stacy; Cohen, Gail; Skelton, Joseph. “Multidisciplinary Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: Nutrition Evaluation and Management.” Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 25; 4. Sage Publications. 2010. Pp. 327-334.
5. “Survival of the Fittest: Discrimination Against Obesity in the American Workplace.” Human Resource Management International Digest. 14; 3. 2006. Pp. 26-28.
References
1. "How Processed Foods Make You Fat and Sick." Savvy Vegitarian . (2011): n. page. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. .
2. "Trans Fat Trouble." Runner's World. (2011): n. page. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. .
3. "Will Too Much Sodium Make You Gain Weight?." LiveStrong. (2011): n. page. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. .
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