Self Control

Imagine a world where a school aged child can step out of their school and walk into a McDonalds. A world where soda companies make millions of dollars a year by placing pop and candy machines in schools, a world where more than 30 percent of the adult population is considered to be obese, or a world where obesity kills close to as many people per year as smoking. What if I told you that this is the world today? One’s lifestyle with regard to diet is regarded as a personal problem, and most believe that it should be treated as such in that there should be no intervention, people should be left to deal with it on their own. People who lead unhealthy and inactive lifestyles have generally speaking already displayed a lack of self control. Whether this is due to other constraints in their lives (time, chronic health problems, mental disorder, etc) is nobody’s business, but through outside intervention these people’s lives could be drastically improved. Based on the prevalence of junk food in today’s society, the government needs to step in and take action to protect Canada and its citizens by discouraging the purchase and consumption of foods that have a high processed sugar and fat content, by educating the public about the affect of unhealthy choices and by imposing a tax on those foods that are deemed to be detrimental to one’s health.

Sugar laden, fatty foods are very harmful to one’s health. Over consumption of these foods are the direct cause of many health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, gall bladder disease and hypertension. What makes these foods even more harmful is the ease of access we as Canadian citizens have to them. Junk food is everywhere, on every street there are fast-food restaurants; wherever large amounts of people congregate, there is generally a vendor selling quick fix meals (e.g. McDonalds in Wal-Mart or Harvey’s in Home Depot). The majority of food sold in...

The on going issue of battling obesity in America continues to haunt us. It has become a national epidemic and a major topic for controversy. The suggestion of implementing a junk food tax was proposed by several experts. The purpose of the tax was to decrease the consumption of unhealthy foods. This tax would also generate revenue earmarked for relevant causes, such as; improving diet, obesity prevention, and nutrition education. The underlying purpose is to focus on maximizing health benefits. It has sparked controversy on the levels of additional bureaucracy, interfering with personal liberties, and freedom of choice.
Junk-Food Taxes
Introduction
For years health experts have been warning Americans to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Over time obesity rates have tripled. It is obvious we are losing the battle against obesity. Combating obesity and its numerous illnesses will not require more drugs to lower cholesterol, diet books, or workout videos. It will require rethinking our environment. Other measures need to be taken to tackle this national epidemic. Addressing this issue is no easy task. Several experts have suggested implementing a junk food tax. This would provide funding to regulate junk food, its advertising, and many other areas improving our health. This idea has sparked a wide controversy in regard to the obesity issue, the benefits of such a tax plan, and our cherished individual freedom that health is our own responsibility.

The Obesity Epidemic
It is no wonder obesity is such an epidemic in today’s society. Temptation is everywhere. A fast food restaurant is located on every corner. They are now open at all hours of the night and day. You can purchase an entire meal for less than five dollars. You can not turn on the television without seeing a dozen junk food commercials. Hanna Rosin, a reporter for the Washington Post, addresses this issue with the opinions of Dr. Kelly Brownell, a Yale professor. Dr.... [continues]

For years health experts have been warning Americans to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Over time obesity rates have tripled. It is obvious we are losing the battle against obesity. Combating obesity and its numerous illnesses will not require more drugs to lower cholesterol, diet books, or workout videos. It will require rethinking our environment. Other measures need to be taken to tackle this national epidemic. Addressing this issue is no easy task. Several experts have suggested implementing a junk food tax. This would provide funding to regulate junk food, its advertising, and many other areas improving our health. This idea has sparked a wide controversy in regard to the obesity issue, the benefits of such a tax plan, and our cherished individual freedom that health is our own responsibility.