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The Need for Regulation: Fighting the Obesity Epidemic

What do you think we should do about the Obesity Epidemic?


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Wake

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We seem to be breaking down, wallowing in our debilitation and lack of willpower. There is a group of people in America that on one hand opines that we Americans should be allowed to slowly kill ourselves through unhealthy food, and on the other hand complain about increasing taxes for the costs of affording the results of said unhealthy living. You should not be able to have it both ways; either support unhealthy living and pay taxes because of it, or don't support unhealthy freedom and don't pay taxes for it.

Look, we've got problems, and people need to start caring before America develops its own heart attack, per se.

Adult Overweight and Obesity in the U.S.
Two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese (Flegal et al., 2012). In general, rates of overweight and obesity are higher for African-American and Hispanic women than Caucasian women, higher for Hispanic men than Caucasian and African-American men, higher in the South and Midwest, and tend to increase with age (Flegal et al., 2012; Gregg et al., 2009; Sherry et al., 2010). Research also shows that the heaviest Americans have become even heavier the past decade (Beydoun & Wang, 2009).

Overweight and Obesity in the U.S. « Food Research & Action Center

Supposedly 2/3 of all U.S. adults are overweight/obese. That's insane.

Now is also the time when many of us look down and realize that the laps on which those laptops sit aren't as flat as they used to be. We've picked up a few pounds over the winter -- pounds that become increasingly harder to shed as we get older. But weight gain isn't just a problem for folks trying to squeeze into last year's swimsuits; it's also a problem for those of us trying to cope with today's high gas prices. According to an article at MSN, America's increasing obesity rate has led to a huge increase in fuel consumption. All told, those extra pounds lead up to $4 billion in extra gasoline costs.

How much is this costing us? According to Sheldon Jacobson at the University of Illinois, obesity forces America to use a whopping 938 million gallons of gas more than we would if we were a leaner, meaner nation.

Obesity Costs America $4 Billion Per Year At The Pump

This directly affects the cost of our gasoline. This likely affects our airlines in some way as well.

Obesity in U.S. Projected to Grow
America's weight problem is likely going to get a lot bigger: 42 percent of adults will be obese by 2030, and about one-quarter of that group will be severely obese. That's according to a projection released Monday at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Weight of the Nation" meeting in Washington. Today, about 34 percent of American adults are obese, and 6 percent are severely obese, which is 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Extra weight hikes the risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and cancer. And it adds billions of dollars to health care costs. The projections "indicate that even more people will be losing loved ones and others will be suffering sickness and living lives that fall short of their promise because of obesity," Patrick O'Neil, president of the Obesity Society, a group of weight-control researchers and professionals, told USA Today.

Health Buzz: 42 Percent of Americans Will Be Obese in 2030 - US News and World Report

The supposed projection for obesity in America is that 42% of all adults will be obese by 2030, and 1/4 of that group severely obese. The next 100 years if nothing is done...?



We need to act. If sin taxes "don't work" then perhaps we need to start applying regulations, because obviously education isn't reaching enough people. Charge people through their insurance for being obese. Don't feel sorry for them, because they know what they're doing. Don't charge them obscene amounts of money; start it very gradually, and moniter those results. Incorporate a "sin" tax as effectively as possible, like a scalpel. If taxing sugar and salt doesn't work, target doughnuts and fried food. Target what this group of people is inclined to devour.

Add some sort of gradual and minute benefit to those with the foresight of healthy eating. Wean the fat man off the nipple of the taxpayer, and wake up the taxpayer who supports unhealthy behavior yet complains about rising taxes.

You may think you have the freedom to kill yourself, but you don't have the freedom to kill America's future.

If there are valid links that showcase the results of Europe's regulation of healthy living that'd be deeply appreciated.
 
I've pretty much always been a believer in Pigouvian taxes on such things as sugar. It could even be argued that obesity and its various causes are an even bigger problem in America than is tobacco.
 
I've pretty much always been a believer in Pigouvian taxes on such things as sugar. It could even be argued that obesity and its various causes are an even bigger problem in America than is tobacco.

I don't know anything about Pigouvian taxes yet, but I'd agree that numerous problems occur from obesity.

It needs to stop before America has over 50% of its adults suffering with obesity. Something needs to give or something is going to break.
 
I don't know anything about Pigouvian taxes yet, but I'd agree that numerous problems occur from obesity.

It needs to stop before America has over 50% of its adults suffering with obesity. Something needs to give or something is going to break.

I disagree however with the notion that the cause of obesity is due to the lack of will. I don't believe that the average person today lacks any more will than an average person 50 yrs ago. I think it has more to do with social trends in lifestyles, technology, and industry practices.
 
I've pretty much always been a believer in Pigouvian taxes on such things as sugar. It could even be argued that obesity and its various causes are an even bigger problem in America than is tobacco.

Europe has its own obesity problem with England being near the top.. a simple google search can verify that.

WHO/Europe | Obesity


Europe, japan and any industrialized nation is not IMMUNE to the sit on your arse technological age were in...their posteriors are going to grow along with ours...and obesity isnt going to be as easy to control in the mass's as lets say smoking...they raised the price of cigarettes to the point they are unaffordable for alot of people...and they stopped smoking in many places entirely..but you cant tax the price of table food through the roof and you cant ban eating...its a much more difficult endeavor to control than other public health problems
 
Add some sort of gradual and minute benefit to those with the foresight of healthy eating.

Isn't being healthier and not fat the kind of gradual and minute benefit that those with the foresight of healthy eating enjoy?
 
I disagree however with the notion that the cause of obesity is due to the lack of will. I don't believe that the average person today lacks any more will than an average person 50 yrs ago. I think it has more to do with social trends in lifestyles, technology, and industry practices.

This is true. WHile I want this to be fought mostly by winning the argument to convince people to change, some minor regulations, like the lunches schools provide be healthy, and fast food not allowed to open up shop on campus (k-12).
 
I disagree however with the notion that the cause of obesity is due to the lack of will. I don't believe that the average person today lacks any more will than an average person 50 yrs ago. I think it has more to do with social trends in lifestyles, technology, and industry practices.

It directly applies to will. If you want something, go and take it. Those who want to lose weight but can't typically have willpower weakness.

Losing weight has always been about willpower. Do you will yourself to eat healthier, to push yourself further and further, or to ignore the constant temptations?

Isn't being healthier and not fat the kind of gradual and minute benefit that those with the foresight of healthy eating enjoy?

That is an incentive, but others probably want an added incentive.
 
It directly applies to will. If you want something, go and take it. Those who want to lose weight but can't typically have willpower weakness.

Losing weight has always been about willpower. Do you will yourself to eat healthier, to push yourself further and further, or to ignore the constant temptations?

I'm not talking about losing weight specifically as it applies to individuals, I'm merely explaining the increase in obesity rates. I don't for a second believe that we have higher rates of obesity today because people today possess less will power than people a generation ago.
 
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Isn't being healthier and not fat the kind of gradual and minute benefit that those with the foresight of healthy eating enjoy?

What we have to understand and accept..is that there are many americans that DONT KNOW HOW TO EAT healthy...theyve been eating chit since they were able to open their mouth....if you had parents that stuck sugary drinks in your face since you can remember...or parents that had HORRIBLE eating habits since you were born and thats what you ate all your life...your not going to change I dont think.

Id bet a dozen donuts that if you handed half of america...an artichoke, a turnip a fresh Beet and said cook these for me...they would looked confused. If you never aquired a tasted for fresh vegetables and fruits and your parents gave you chit your entire life...you are not going to start eating veggies and fruit...
 
I don't mind taxes and since they worked, in part, on tobacco, I have reason to believe they'd work on sugar or fatty foods.

That said, fixing this problem goes far beyond taxes. I think the main solution is by increasing health education in schools. By education, I do not only mean reading textbooks in a classroom, I mean required physical education, gardening lessons and healthy eating lessons with cooking where possible. Moreover, just like kids have to science projects, kids can do healthy eating projects of many variations. Furthermore, if a student gets a "note" to get out of gym or other health related classes, then those exceptions should be handled the same way as situations with kids who can't take math in regular classes. They must do their own individualized programs. I've always thought that school should be about both mind and body, so it's time to make "body" a priority as well.
 
Communities, charities, and churches can offer programs. It is the individuals choice on whether or not to go along with it. The government has absolutely no right to regulate the weight of an individual. That would require regulating lifestyle and it doesn't belong with the government or any entity.

Weight loss lifestyle is an individual choice.
 
The will power requried to lose weight is largely exceptional. We're not all exceptional in this category. For many the battle is like being a drug addict who has to take some of the drug every day. The overall problem, as StillBallin75 suggests involves more than willpower.
 
Communities, charities, and churches can offer programs. It is the individuals choice on whether or not to go along with it. The government has absolutely no right to regulate the weight of an individual. That would require regulating lifestyle and it doesn't belong with the government or any entity.

Weight loss lifestyle is an individual choice.
When it's a small segment of the population, the bold applies, but when it's a great deal of the population, the choice is no longer just a matter of the individual. On the contrary, it's a matter of the entire society because society pays the costs of those choices.
 
The will power requried to lose weight is largely exceptional. We're not all exceptional in this category. For many the battle is like being a drug addict who has to take some of the drug every day. The overall problem, as StillBallin75 suggests involves more than willpower.

For an individual, weight loss is definitely an individual battle of wills. For society at large? It's something bigger, that's all I'm trying to say.
 
For an individual, weight loss is definitely an individual battle of wills. For society at large? It's something bigger, that's all I'm trying to say.

I largely agree. I noted my agreement with you concerning society. But tried to define what we're really talking about when we talk about will.
 
I'm not talking about losing weight specifically as it applies to individuals, I'm merely explaining the increase in obesity rates. I don't for a second believe that we have higher rates of obesity today because people today possess less will power than people a generation ago.

I suspect it's because of increasing population, mind-controlling-like behavior food corporations use to nab children at a young age through cartoon commercials, life is easier and more abundant currently, and, sadly, people are just lazier and more placated. Willpower is still a major factor in losing weight, or trying to accomplish any other reasonable goal out there.

What we have to understand and accept..is that there are many americans that DONT KNOW HOW TO EAT healthy...theyve been eating chit since they were able to open their mouth....if you had parents that stuck sugary drinks in your face since you can remember...or parents that had HORRIBLE eating habits since you were born and thats what you ate all your life...your not going to change I dont think.

Id bet a dozen donuts that if you handed half of america...an artichoke, a turnip a fresh Beet and said cook these for me...they would looked confused. If you never aquired a tasted for fresh vegetables and fruits and your parents gave you chit your entire life...you are not going to start eating veggies and fruit...

They need to learn, and then there are some who simply don't give a ****. We nail them if they don't care. We nail them if they're ignorant.

I don't mind taxes and since they worked, in part, on tobacco, I have reason to believe they'd work on sugar or fatty foods.

That said, fixing this problem goes far beyond taxes. I think the main solution is by increasing health education in schools. By education, I do not only mean reading textbooks in a classroom, I mean required physical education, gardening lessons and healthy eating lessons with cooking where possible. Moreover, just like kids have to science projects, kids can do healthy eating projects of many variations. Furthermore, if a student gets a "note" to get out of gym or other health related classes, then those exceptions should be handled the same way as situations with kids who can't take math in regular classes. They must do their own individualized programs. I've always thought that school should be about both mind and body, so it's time to make "body" a priority as well.

I didn't know sin taxes had worked on tobacco. A link on that would be awesome, and added to the arsenal in the future.

Like with complex cancers, we'll probably need a culmination of medicines. Concentrated education and a tough-love scalpel of regulation and sin taxes. Start becoming healthily zealous in spreading the word of good health. Our shows like "Dr. Drew" and "Dr. Oz" help, but we need to ramp it up far, far more if we expect to stop the increasing percentage of decay.

Communities, charities, and churches can offer programs. It is the individuals choice on whether or not to go along with it. The government has absolutely no right to regulate the weight of an individual. That would require regulating lifestyle and it doesn't belong with the government or any entity.

Weight loss lifestyle is an individual choice.

Not enough, by a longshot.

You must understand the problems the resuly from the freedom to slowly kill one's self.

You are a taxpayer.

Are you alright with paying for these costs through taxes?

If so, why in one hand do you support, and in the other, complain?

That is the hypothetical bug I wnat to put a pin through.

The will power requried to lose weight is largely exceptional. We're not all exceptional in this category. For many the battle is like being a drug addict who has to take some of the drug every day. The overall problem, as StillBallin75 suggests involves more than willpower.

How so? Some don't have a will problem in losing weight, and some do.

Addiction can be combatted through willpower. Iirc, a woman used a yoga of some sort 3 times per day to combat her cocaine addiction. That is extreme willpower, and that woman amazes me. Education and willpower are powerful factors, and if there are more on your minds please by all means list them.
 
I think simply not subsidizing the hell out of corn so much could be a big step. It's the corn syrup in all our food that causes this. It's also our tendency to overeat, but I think the corn syrup even contributes to that. It adds calories without nutrients and makes you still need more food, but doesn't satisfy your hunger.
 
Building on Paschendale's point, a diet in high fructose corn syrup can make people dumber.



There are undoubtedly other articles on this if further evidence is required.
 
Not enough, by a longshot.

You must understand the problems the resuly from the freedom to slowly kill one's self.

You are a taxpayer.

Are you alright with paying for these costs through taxes?

If so, why in one hand do you support, and in the other, complain?

That is the hypothetical bug I wnat to put a pin through.

Well for the most part charities and churches don't get my tax money. When I referred to communities, it wasn't about local governments as much as just the people come together. A local tech school in my area offered a 5K walk to lose pounds and it was a hit.

The cost of freedom is risk. You have the freedom to make your own choices, but you will have to live with the consequences that come from it. If a person chooses to live a sedentary lifestyle while eating buckets of fried chicken, then they got to live with the risk of weighing 350+ pounds. If a person chooses to live an active lifestyle, then they got to live with the consequence of possible injury.

I don't feel bad for people who make a choice to not change unhealthy lifestyles. That is their decision to live with, and in a free society it is fine. You try an dictate lifestyle then you start to become less free of a society.
 
How so? Some don't have a will problem in losing weight, and some do.

Addiction can be combatted through willpower. Iirc, a woman used a yoga of some sort 3 times per day to combat her cocaine addiction. That is extreme willpower, and that woman amazes me. Education and willpower are powerful factors, and if there are more on your minds please by all means list them.

Yes, some people have exceptional will power. We have a tendancy to treat the exceptional as the norm. The morm is the area where MOST people are. The exceptional and poor are at the the extremes. Most diets fail. It's just a fact.

As for your examples, yes, you can find the exceptions. No one argues that you can't.
 
education and disclosure of calories next to menu items.

if someone sees that the burger is over a thousand calories and still wants to buy it, then it's fine by me. but i'd like to have the calories right there while i'm making my choices. calories are on food at the grocery store; they should be on the menu, also.

i'm against sin taxes and advertising bans.
 
Well for the most part charities and churches don't get my tax money. When I referred to communities, it wasn't about local governments as much as just the people come together. A local tech school in my area offered a 5K walk to lose pounds and it was a hit.

The cost of freedom is risk. You have the freedom to make your own choices, but you will have to live with the consequences that come from it. If a person chooses to live a sedentary lifestyle while eating buckets of fried chicken, then they got to live with the risk of weighing 350+ pounds. If a person chooses to live an active lifestyle, then they got to live with the consequence of possible injury.

I don't feel bad for people who make a choice to not change unhealthy lifestyles. That is their decision to live with, and in a free society it is fine. You try an dictate lifestyle then you start to become less free of a society.

Perhaps more of those communities need to manifest, quickly, if that's make make any noticeable dent in this problem.

Are you alright with paying more taxes in order to cover the costs of burgeoning healthcare costs that are directly related to obesity?

Do you think taxes should increase to compensate for the cost of the freedom you're supporting?
 
Well for the most part charities and churches don't get my tax money. When I referred to communities, it wasn't about local governments as much as just the people come together. A local tech school in my area offered a 5K walk to lose pounds and it was a hit.

The cost of freedom is risk. You have the freedom to make your own choices, but you will have to live with the consequences that come from it. If a person chooses to live a sedentary lifestyle while eating buckets of fried chicken, then they got to live with the risk of weighing 350+ pounds. If a person chooses to live an active lifestyle, then they got to live with the consequence of possible injury.

I don't feel bad for people who make a choice to not change unhealthy lifestyles. That is their decision to live with, and in a free society it is fine. You try an dictate lifestyle then you start to become less free of a society.

Obesity is not necessarily the result of individual choices. This is one of those examples where I think libertarians attribute too much cause/effect to individual agency. The truth is, even in the absence of government coercion, we're not really as free as we prefer to think we are. If it's not the government, there are other forces that are constantly influencing your behavior whether you're aware of it or not, or whether you like it or not.
 
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education and disclosure of calories next to menu items.

if someone sees that the burger is over a thousand calories and still wants to buy it, then it's fine by me. but i'd like to have the calories right there while i'm making my choices. calories are on food at the grocery store; they should be on the menu, also.

i'm against sin taxes and advertising bans.

I'm ok with sin taxes ONLY if they go to help treat those who suffer from that sin.
 
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