Who Should Decide What You Eat? America has been named the “fattest” country in the world, which is not something to be proud of, and many people are behind me when I say it needs to change. For reasons such as health, money, and pride, this country needs more regulation and better direction with our diets other than where we are and where we are headed. The group that has the power in this country to enforce that is the United States Government. They could make laws that would protect the citizens from harmful diseases caused by unhealthy foods as well as saving money on healthcare to provide for the people that cannot afford to pay for the healthcare they need for the diseases.
1. Explain the ethical dilemma and explain why it is a dilemma. Our government needs to do something to turn the growing wave of obesity in our country but is taxing unhealthy foods the answer? Despite no clear evidence of a link between obesity and eating unhealthy food there is a movement to tax what we put in our mouths. However, does eating unhealthy food cause obesity or does obesity cause one to eat unhealthy food (Marlow, 2013)?
Households are “forced” to purchase inferior processed food, as nutritional food has become unaffordable (Hill 2012). Consequently the increasing consumption of highly processed food results to an obesity epidemic (Neel 2011). To overcome this prevalent issue would require health-awareness education, encouraging society to alter habits, whilst also through government
Balko thinks the government must make obesity a personal responsibility. On the other hand, in an article called “Junking Junk Food” by Judith Warner, she argues that the government needs to be involved. Warner believes that in order to end obesity the government must change the way we see food. I agree with Judith Warner and can both agree and disagree with some of Radley Balko’s points. In Radley Balko’s “What You Eat is Your Business,” he argues that obesity is the responsibility of the individual not the government.
Billions of dollars in advertising messages, food sold everywhere-in gas stations, vending machines, libraries and stores that sell clothing, books, office supplies, cosmetics and drugs-and huge portions of food at bargain prices (Par 7).” | Explanation (how it supports your argument) | If they wouldn’t sell junk food everywhere people go. People wouldn’t buy it they would eat healthier. | Body Paragraph #: 2 Topic Sentence Idea | The obesity rate in America is very high. | Evidence | Kids living in states where schools don’t sell junk food are not as overweight. Sugar, salt, fat can lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other health problems.
The Food Industry in America Whether it’s juicier, bigger, crunchier, sweeter, saltier, or whatever the phrase the food industry and its around-the-clock marketing tactics has been a major cause of the obesity epidemic in recent decades. The result of Americans constant exposure to today's 'eat more' food culture has been to get people to desire high-calorie foods and to get them to become overeaters. Clearly the food industry’s tactics are working, America is fat and people everywhere know it. The food industry is corrupt. So corrupt in fact that even as it is seemingly doing the right thing, like promoting healthy foods to be served in schools for example, its wellness initiatives are frequently just marketing ploys.
In this essay, by Radley Balko, he refers to America’s approach at controlling obesity. He talks about the government trying to regulate menus and meals. He raises a good point in saying that the government getting involved with what we can eat, makes it feel like it’s not our responsibility to regulate our own eating habits. He also raises the point that America has taxes to assist those who are out of shape, but everyone is required to pay, irrelevant to their physical build. He is considered to be a liberal, which supports the fact that he would disagree with government regulating what food people eat to prevent obesity.
As a U.S citizen and tax payer, I believe the government should worry more about the welfare of our people and the way they live. Instead, it seems the only thing they are concerned about is, health care is costing them too much money, taxes need to be higher, and they want to dump more money into the war on terrorism, yet they still think they deserve a pay raise. The United States Military is a very respectable and honorable organization, that puts their lives on the line every day, and sacrifices the most beloved things in their life. Congress needs to save a little money, so why not stop paying our soldiers while they are fighting a war? Two weeks later, congress gets a raise, because they feel their jobs are more important than anyone else in this country.
People that live in poverty are assumed to have diets consisting of more fats, carbohydrates and processed foods which lead to a higher BMI (Body Mass Index, an indicator for excess body fat). The gaveled choice of high calorie and unhealthy food due to “food insecurity” is not a valid reason as to why obesity tracks with poverty since wholesome food has become much more affordable over the years; instead, it is the nature of the environmental influences and behavior that primarily impacts obesity. A few years ago, I met a friend named Jerimiah West that lived in poverty somewhere in the slums of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Jerimiah and his siblings received food stamps from the government through a direct payment card to buy food. He is very close to being considered obese and the reason why is due to his sedentary life of playing video games about 14 hours a day, along with the type of food he consumes on a daily basis.
Imposing higher taxes on junk food will not encourage healthy eating. Taxes don’t stop people from buying things that satisfy them. By restricting dietary choices Americans will not suddenly know the difference between junk food and health food. The government cannot appropriately regulate and restrict improper consumption in people’s homes; they need to keep their hands out of Americans pockets and start fighting obesity through educating adults and their children on proper nutritional routines. Imposing a junk food tax draws attention to one of the most imperative questions which is how to define foods as unhealthy.