How To Stop Obesity In America
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ENC 1101
Dr. D-----
6-27-13
How To Stop Obesity in America In America, obesity is running rampant. It 's killing people and running up medical costs nationwide, and it shows no signs of stopping. Obesity is also a gateway to other diseases. On the website alighterme.com they highlight these diseases by stating these statistics, "80% of type two diabetes [cases are] related to obesity, 70% of Cardiovascular disease [is] related to obesity, [and] 42% of breast and colon cancer [has been] diagnosed among obese individuals...". Based on this evidence, we need to come up with rational, smart, and sensible ways to motivate those who are obese or those who are on their way to make better decisions. People may not be willing to accept this, thinking that obesity it not a problem. They may believe that it 's not our responsibility, that it is none of our business. I believe that there is some validity to these concerns. No, it is not necessarily our business. And if we were to tax sugary drinks, this could affect those on a lower socio-economic level, because these drinks are usually the most affordable for them. As Daniel Engber writes in "Let Them Drink Water!", "We 've known for a long time that any sin tax is likely to be a burden on the poor, since they 're most prone to unhealthy behavior"(643). So yes, there are draw backs from this proposed tax, but in the long run I truly believe that it will pay off for our health. I also believe that if we make the health concerns of others our business, we can help them be healthier individuals. This would go on to make our country as a whole happier, healthier, and stronger. Those that are obese need to be persuaded to choose better food and drinks that will promote health instead of the opposite. There are many factors to consider. There are also many decisions to be made. Some of these decisions could be hard to swallow, but over time, they could become very
ENC 1101
Dr. D-----
6-27-13
How To Stop Obesity in America In America, obesity is running rampant. It 's killing people and running up medical costs nationwide, and it shows no signs of stopping. Obesity is also a gateway to other diseases. On the website alighterme.com they highlight these diseases by stating these statistics, "80% of type two diabetes [cases are] related to obesity, 70% of Cardiovascular disease [is] related to obesity, [and] 42% of breast and colon cancer [has been] diagnosed among obese individuals...". Based on this evidence, we need to come up with rational, smart, and sensible ways to motivate those who are obese or those who are on their way to make better decisions. People may not be willing to accept this, thinking that obesity it not a problem. They may believe that it 's not our responsibility, that it is none of our business. I believe that there is some validity to these concerns. No, it is not necessarily our business. And if we were to tax sugary drinks, this could affect those on a lower socio-economic level, because these drinks are usually the most affordable for them. As Daniel Engber writes in "Let Them Drink Water!", "We 've known for a long time that any sin tax is likely to be a burden on the poor, since they 're most prone to unhealthy behavior"(643). So yes, there are draw backs from this proposed tax, but in the long run I truly believe that it will pay off for our health. I also believe that if we make the health concerns of others our business, we can help them be healthier individuals. This would go on to make our country as a whole happier, healthier, and stronger. Those that are obese need to be persuaded to choose better food and drinks that will promote health instead of the opposite. There are many factors to consider. There are also many decisions to be made. Some of these decisions could be hard to swallow, but over time, they could become very
Cited: Daines, Richard F. “A Tax That Invests in Our Health.” Kirszner and Mandell 632-33. Print. Engber, Daniel. “Let Them Drink Water!” Kirszner and Mandell 641-44. Print. Kessler, David. “The End of Overeating.” Rodale Books 2010. Print. www.alighterme.obesity-in-the-united-states.html. Web. www.mcdonalds.com. Web.