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Federal Taxes On Fast Food Essay

933 Words4 Pages

“Nearly 1 in 3 adults are overweight,” states NIH in a 2017-2018 survey (“Overweight & Obesity Statistics”). The popularization of fast food and sugary, non-nutritious sodas throughout America has led to a corresponding rise in obesity cases and weight-related health problems. Regardless of the persistent efforts by America in advertising and distributing dietary and fitness products, it is clear there is a US obesity epidemic plaguing its citizens. This conundrum has sparked controversy on whether implementing a federal tax on all junk food, sodas, and fast food can minimize dietary health issues effectively. Supporters of the federal tax argue that a rise in government revenue and the discouragement of an increased price will lead to positive …show more content…

Due to fast food’s nature of being a quick and affordable meal while also being calorie-dense, low-income families tend to spend their money on fast food. Healthy alternatives are simply too expensive, money that struggling families who work multiple jobs to make ends meet and take care of kids might not have. A link in the concept of low-income families being predisposed to obesity and nutritional illnesses has been established. A research article by Yang states, “A prevalence in underweight, overweight, and obesity in 45 low and middle-income countries has been established” (3). This observation is due to the over-reliance on overly processed foods that are calorie dense but nutritionally void. However, with the proven health and revenue outcomes of implementing a federal tax, money that would be allocated to health departments can be transferred to welfare programs instead. This allocation of funds will provide the programs that low-income families need to supply their families with nutritional, non-processed food. Furthermore, leading a healthier lifestyle saves money in the long term due to avoiding possible health issues from malnutrition. This tax would essentially provide opportunities for low-income families to provide fresh food for

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In the article “The Fat Tax,” Jonathan Rauch ironically discusses the new public policy concern with obesity. Although the article is a satire, it’s economic analysis is actually valid. In order to get his point across, Rauch uses sarcasm, appeals to logos, and degrades the issue of obesity to help Americans better understand the “big picture.” Moreover, if the diet of American consumers does not change then maybe advertising more exercise to lose weight will cut down the obesity rate; but to be just as effective, enacting the fat tax will improve health as well.

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Ensuring and encouraging schools to offer more fruits and vegetables to the students is a way of incorporating these foods into a child’s daily diet. There are a number of articles written on fast food consumption and obesity. A study performed in Michigan on fast food and obesity states , “the main reason that Michigan adults go to fast-food restaurants is that they are quick and convenient (64%). Over eating and unhealthy eating may result in obesity and other medical health problems. Fast food is high in fat content and calories and gives that temporary full feeling making it easy and convenient.

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It has become common today to dismiss how fast food affects health worldwide. In David Zinczenko’s article, “Don’t Blame the Eater,” he emphasizes that fast food chains are contributing to the ongoing concern of obesity in America. In discussion of obesity, one controversial issue in “Don’t Blame the Eater” has been that fast food chains do not combine calorie information with their advertising meals. On the one hand, he asserts his unfortunate encounter with fast food throughout his childhood to further highlight his standing against fast food chain commerce. On the other hand, Zinczenko argues that diabetes in children have had a significant increase in a decade due to fast food.

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In “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Radley Balko tackles the issue of who is responsible for fighting obesity. Balko argues that the controversy of obesity should make the individual consumers culpable for their own health and not the government (467). As health insurers refrain from increasing premiums for obese and overweight patients, there is a decrease in motivation to keep a healthy lifestyle (Balko 467). As a result, Balko claims these manipulations make the public accountable for everyone else 's health rather than their own (467). Balko continues to discuss the ways to fix the issue such as insurance companies penalizing consumers who make unhealthy food choices and rewarding good ones (468).

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America is one of the most obese countries in the world, known for apple pie and an excessive amount of McDonald’s. As a culture, there is a lack of self control when it comes to the foods we consume. People often over consume and over indulge, which has wreaked havoc on the health and well being of those who give in to these temptations. The issue is that large corporations and even our own government play a role in helping feed the problem; they care more about profitability and benefiting the business than the health of the consumer. The health of Americans is declining and more chronic diseases and health problems are appearing as a result of unhealthy diets, but there are many different methods that can help fix this issue.

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Women who are using food stamps are, on average, 5.8 pounds heavier than regular women. The author also educates that in 2008, almost 28 million people received food benefits from the government (Grabmeier). Food Prices and Obesity: Evidence and Policy Implications for Taxes and Subsidies written by Lisa M. Powell and Frank J. Chaloupka also agrees with these articles by notifying that the price of a calorie is cheaper in unhealthy foods. One possible solution that these authors propose is simply to lower the price of healthy foods or raise the price of unhealthy foods. Unlike Peralta and Grabmeier, Powell and Chaloupka also link obesity to tobacco use.

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The “soda tax” has begun to heat up around many parts of the world, especially in Europe and the US. There are many sides to the soda tax argument. One side says the tax will help reduce obesity by increasing the price of sugary drinks, a large source of the obesity according to pro tax side. The opposing argument is that there should not be regulations or taxes on what people drink because it is a person’s choice of what they put in the body. Put those arguments to the side and focus on the most important component of the proposed tax, the economic component.

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“When incomes drop and family budgets shrink, food choices shift toward cheaper but more energy-dense foods. ... Lower diet quality separates lower-income from the more affluent Americans 3. Higher-income households are more likely to buy whole grains, seafood, lean meats, low-fat milk, and fresh vegetables and fruit” ( Drewnowski ). Not eating a healthy whole food diet can lead to health problems, weight gaining, and even obesity. Low-income families have no choice but to eat unhealthy foods because there are no affordable grocery stores close by.

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An indirect tax changes the structure of a market provoking an increase in prices and a decrease in the quantity demanded and supplied. However the effect of the tax varies depending on the price elasticity of demand. The aim of the tax is to solve a market failure situation, in which there is overconsumption of a product with negative externalities. Analysis: Junk food is a demerit good. This means that it’s a product which its consumption has a negative effect on the consumers themselves.

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The prevalence of fast food in low-income urban neighborhoods across the United States, combined with the lack of access to fresh, healthy food, contributes to an overwhelmingly disproportionate incidence of food-related death and disease among African Americans as compared to whites. African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension due to lack of exposure of healthier

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If the government starts to advertise more healthy options for kids, it will reduce childhood obesity. The kids need more healthy choices so they don’t grow up with horrible health conditions that could be fatal. The government needs to do better to end this so the kids can enjoy their lives. “Measures such as taxing soda or requiring that menus display calorie counts are appropriate actions that will lead to a healthier population.” (“Diet and Obesity.”

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Therefore, “Low-income communities have greater availability of fast food restaurants, especially around schools,” (“Why”). The fact that fast-food restaurants have targeted low-income areas and schools is unacceptable, there needs to be healthier, cheaper options for people living in these

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In the Baltimore Sun editorial, an anonymous author writes about the positive effects of sin taxes in an article entitled “Sin Taxes Save Lives by Changing Unhealthy Behaviors.” The author presents the case that sin taxes benefit society because they change consumer behavior and promote a healthier, more active lifestyle. The writer states, “Americans are consuming too many sugary drinks that contribute to rising obesity and diabetes rates. The latest weapon in the public health arsenal to combat the problem—taxing them—deserves more serious consideration.” The author of the article continues explaining how consumers will lead healthier lifestyles by expanding on two main points that attest to the improvement of society.

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Americans today are well-known for their eating habits. With all the options the food industry gives us it makes it hard to go to the grocery store and resist picking up that bag of barbeque-flavored chips or blueberry flavored candy. Due to these processed foods obesity is a growing epidemic in our country and who is to blame for it? In an article entitled “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko, Balko argues for less government intervention. Balko believes is it our responsibility to take care of ourselves and make it a priority.

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