Junk Food Taxing Research Paper

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Imagine living in a constant state of being judged, having a lack of breath and carrying unnecessary weight that is ultimately slicing away precious years of life, well that is what it is like to live obese. Obesity is the condition of being grossly fat or overweight. Although America is built on a great foundation that satisfies Americans by offering endless opportunities and a great life for the average person, there is one downfall to it 's great and mighty name. America has been truthfully named the fattest country. While America takes first place for the most obese country, thankfully there still is hope. While many life threatening diseases are incurable, although it may be hard, it is possible to cure obesity, if not stopped in it 's tracks. Obesity affects both children and adults, but it is taking a large toll on today 's generation of the ages eighteen to twenty five. All it will do to this generation is making them fatter and sicker. In Order to encourage healthier life choices for this generation, many changes in daily habits and food industries need to change drastically in multiple ways. For decades now, weight loss programs have and still are widely promoted in America. From a simple diet plan such as Weight Watchers, to an intense reality television show known as The Biggest Loser, it is evident that obesity has been a problem for quite some time. Although it seems as if obesity should not be that big of a problem due to the great amount of programs offered, just like America 's population, obesity is rapidly growing too. Obesity has been a problem ever since the twenty first century, however it has become a greater problem as the years have progressed, and according to 2012 statistics 68.6% of Americans are obese or overweight. Obese victim 's life expectancy can be shortened up to a span of fourteen years. These patients are not just dying from the one worded diagnosis of obesity, but many other diseases that are strongly linked to this life threatening disease. These patients are highly prone and at risk of dying from associated diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and liver or kidney failure. As these statistics have clearly displayed the huge numbers of the obese, it is obvious that a more fitting change needs to be made. Today 's Generation of eighteen to twenty five year olds are most likely to fall in the category of college or a place of work. Colleges and workplaces are outlets to this generation and could make easy access to educating them on nutrition and health. With regard to the large amount of obese and overweight Americans, this generation needs to be aware of the horrific short and long term effects of this disease, in hopes of assisting the break of obesity. In Order to educate this …show more content…
The reason that taxing foods with a great amount of fat would be beneficial is because the extra money that would be paid could help in many different ways. One beneficial outcome of taxing unhealthy foods would be that some people may not want to pay the extra thirty or so cents for a certain item. While some may say that thirty cents is not much, certain people will refuse to buy something that once costed less. The main beneficial outcome of taxing unhealthy foods would be using the taxes accumulated from junk food to put it towards healthier options that are usually more expensive. A main reason it is very difficult for Americans to eat healthy is because of the high prices. For instance, take a box of Kraft Mac n Cheese, two boxes alone could feed a family of five at the cost of $2.40 and it takes about fifteen minutes tops to make. Now take a simple homemade Caesar salad for example; this salad would need lettuce, tomato, grated cheese, cucumber, croutons, etc. these ingredients alone add up to about $12. Not only is this Caesar salad expensive, but most Americans would view it as a side dish, enabling extra ingredients to be bought for the main dish, once again there would be more money spent. All in all it is indisputable that taxes should be put onto unhealthy food, therefore healthy foods can become less expensive and easily bought by any American wanting and willing to become

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