The Nutritional Needs for a Junk Food Tax
The American democracy needs to discover how to deal with the obesity epidemic that is currently affecting around one out of four Americans (Moss). Kelly Brownell, an economist and professor at Yale University, had first suggested the concept of implementing a higher tax on unhealthy foods, therefore encouraging consumers to pursue a more positive route within their diet. In 2003, food taxes would gain popularity once the World Health Organization encouraged legislators to ratify taxes on junk food in order to decrease overall healthcare costs that deal with treating obesity. The tax revenue can then be used to fund specific programs that support healthy lifestyles through the use of subsides (Badilas …show more content…
Obesity seems to be the main effect of overeating junk food, and has been closely associated with dangerous health conditions, “including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, gallstones, kidney stones, infertility, and as many as 11 types of cancers” (Obesity). Obviously, junk food does not offer any significant nutritional values for the American people, so why should the health of millions be put at risk over a cookie conundrum? A tax on unhealthy foods could also persuade the American people to walk in the right direction towards a healthy and happy life. Obese or overweight individuals often have to suffer through severe psychological effects from their weight that can produce higher levels of anxiety, along with social isolation and depression. This disease can adversely impact the way a person interacts with others and how they personally feel about themselves (Badilas 262). A junk food tax can implement better lifestyle choices for an individual, possibly preventing him from suffering from the consequences of junk food and experiencing a poor quality of …show more content…
A person’s genetics have often been connected to gaining weight. However, genetic changes are not the main culprit of society’s obesity epidemic, considering it takes a long time for new mutations to spread, and the frequency of different genes within a population has remained stable over the course of generations. Environmental challenges such as the availability of unhealthy food and lack of physical activity seem to be the main contributors to gaining fat (Obesity). In order for a junk food tax to be successful, it must also incorporate programs that encourage regular exercise and nutritional awareness. Even people with genes that could cause obesity can reap a positive lifestyle through this type of program. In 2011, investigators under PubMed Central, which present biomedical and life sciences journals at the U.S. National Institutes of Health 's National Library of Medicine, were experimenting with the obesity-related gene known as FTO. They analyzed data from 45 studies of adults and 9 studies of children that accumulated nearly 240,000 patients. The scientists discovered that active adults who carried the FTO gene had a 30 percent lower risk of obesity than inactive adults who did not carry the FTO gene (Obesity). Along with a junk food tax that could encourage wellness, Americans should take the time to examine their daily exercise routine, and
The American democracy needs to discover how to deal with the obesity epidemic that is currently affecting around one out of four Americans (Moss). Kelly Brownell, an economist and professor at Yale University, had first suggested the concept of implementing a higher tax on unhealthy foods, therefore encouraging consumers to pursue a more positive route within their diet. In 2003, food taxes would gain popularity once the World Health Organization encouraged legislators to ratify taxes on junk food in order to decrease overall healthcare costs that deal with treating obesity. The tax revenue can then be used to fund specific programs that support healthy lifestyles through the use of subsides (Badilas …show more content…
Obesity seems to be the main effect of overeating junk food, and has been closely associated with dangerous health conditions, “including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, gallstones, kidney stones, infertility, and as many as 11 types of cancers” (Obesity). Obviously, junk food does not offer any significant nutritional values for the American people, so why should the health of millions be put at risk over a cookie conundrum? A tax on unhealthy foods could also persuade the American people to walk in the right direction towards a healthy and happy life. Obese or overweight individuals often have to suffer through severe psychological effects from their weight that can produce higher levels of anxiety, along with social isolation and depression. This disease can adversely impact the way a person interacts with others and how they personally feel about themselves (Badilas 262). A junk food tax can implement better lifestyle choices for an individual, possibly preventing him from suffering from the consequences of junk food and experiencing a poor quality of …show more content…
A person’s genetics have often been connected to gaining weight. However, genetic changes are not the main culprit of society’s obesity epidemic, considering it takes a long time for new mutations to spread, and the frequency of different genes within a population has remained stable over the course of generations. Environmental challenges such as the availability of unhealthy food and lack of physical activity seem to be the main contributors to gaining fat (Obesity). In order for a junk food tax to be successful, it must also incorporate programs that encourage regular exercise and nutritional awareness. Even people with genes that could cause obesity can reap a positive lifestyle through this type of program. In 2011, investigators under PubMed Central, which present biomedical and life sciences journals at the U.S. National Institutes of Health 's National Library of Medicine, were experimenting with the obesity-related gene known as FTO. They analyzed data from 45 studies of adults and 9 studies of children that accumulated nearly 240,000 patients. The scientists discovered that active adults who carried the FTO gene had a 30 percent lower risk of obesity than inactive adults who did not carry the FTO gene (Obesity). Along with a junk food tax that could encourage wellness, Americans should take the time to examine their daily exercise routine, and