Written Economic Debate
Written Economic Debate
The crisis of obesity increases the rate of disease and fatality in America. Statistics have found that two-thirds of Americans are obese or, at the least, overweight. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have ranked obesity as the number one health risk facing America. One-eighth of deaths in this nation are directly attributed to obesity, which it is important to remember is entirely preventable. One of the biggest issues that stem from the decline of our nations health is the affect it has on the 70 million children growing up in this society. There is an epidemic of childhood obesity that can be reversed by an increase in physical exercise, healthier eating practices and, most importantly, improved health literacy. Another idea that has been introduced to reduce obesity in America is the implantation of a “fat tax”. The question that arises is, will a tax on fatty foods benefit Americans?
A “fat tax” is a pigovian tax or surcharge that is placed upon fatty foods, beverages or individuals. The intentions of the tax are to discourage unhealthy diets that contribute to obesity and offset some of the economic strain obesity places on our society. America is not the only country that believes that a large part of their economic collapse is caused by obesity. In 2011, Denmark imposed a “fat tax” on foods that contained 2.3 percent or more of saturated fat. Government officials wanted to increase the life expectancy of Denmark citizens while raising revenues to offset the cost of treat diet-induced disease. Opposition of the tax in Denmark revolves around the fact that the manufacturers of these products are not sufficiently represented. The respective nations GDP can be effected by the lost of revenue these companies may face. Researches at the University at Buffalo sent people through a faux supermarket and found that charging an extra 10 percent on unhealthy foods would encourage shoppers to buy healthier items and
The crisis of obesity increases the rate of disease and fatality in America. Statistics have found that two-thirds of Americans are obese or, at the least, overweight. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have ranked obesity as the number one health risk facing America. One-eighth of deaths in this nation are directly attributed to obesity, which it is important to remember is entirely preventable. One of the biggest issues that stem from the decline of our nations health is the affect it has on the 70 million children growing up in this society. There is an epidemic of childhood obesity that can be reversed by an increase in physical exercise, healthier eating practices and, most importantly, improved health literacy. Another idea that has been introduced to reduce obesity in America is the implantation of a “fat tax”. The question that arises is, will a tax on fatty foods benefit Americans?
A “fat tax” is a pigovian tax or surcharge that is placed upon fatty foods, beverages or individuals. The intentions of the tax are to discourage unhealthy diets that contribute to obesity and offset some of the economic strain obesity places on our society. America is not the only country that believes that a large part of their economic collapse is caused by obesity. In 2011, Denmark imposed a “fat tax” on foods that contained 2.3 percent or more of saturated fat. Government officials wanted to increase the life expectancy of Denmark citizens while raising revenues to offset the cost of treat diet-induced disease. Opposition of the tax in Denmark revolves around the fact that the manufacturers of these products are not sufficiently represented. The respective nations GDP can be effected by the lost of revenue these companies may face. Researches at the University at Buffalo sent people through a faux supermarket and found that charging an extra 10 percent on unhealthy foods would encourage shoppers to buy healthier items and
Bibliography: 1. Current Events 10/17/2011, Vol. 111 Issue 5, p2-3 2. Men 's Health (10544836) Jun2010, Vol. 25 Issue 5, p38-38 3. New Scientist 10/22/2011, Vol. 212 Issue 2835, p30-31 4. http://idebate.org/debatabase/themes/politics-%2526-economics?search_theme_form=do%20country%20have%20right%20to%20intervene%20and%20invade%20foreign%20country%20on%20humanitarian%20grounds&form_build_id=form-7736159be6c419f9d1341ae7dc5a10e4&form_id=search_theme_form 5. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079796/France-approves-fat-tax-sugary-drinks-Coca-Cola-Fanta.html 6. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20114811-10391704.html 7. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/testimony/obesity07162003.html 8. http://www.obesityinamerica.org/understandingObesity/index.cfm 9. http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/film 10. http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/