TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATING HIGHER TAXES SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON JUNK FOODS AND SOFT DRINKS
TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATING, HIGHER TAXES SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON
JUNK FOODS AND SOFT DRINKS
Husnu Yilmaz
Istanbul Şehir University
Over the past decades, obesity has become a serious problem that governments have to tackle.In fact it has been discussed for years but still there is not a certain solution to obesity.Governments and academists discuss it and provide information about the obesity epidemic but providing information is not enough, in some cases, to take notice and to care about the damaging outcomes of fast-food.So, to prevent the negative effects of spreading fast-food culture, governments should implement more taxes on junk foods and soft drinks, which are causing obesity.Taxes imposed on them canalso enhance the awareness of society.Because in general, people do not care about health information but if the subject is money, people would begin to think about the reasons of the raise in taxes and they realize the negative effects of junk foods.
First of all, fast-food changes our lifestyles and eating habits.As a tradition in the past, families came together for supper and had quality time with all members of the family.However, the fast-food and junkfoodsectors have become famous and theyhave shown people that there is an easier and “faster” way of eating.Because of this, people do not get together for family dinners and it equals less time with family.Especially among adolescents, junkfood and softdrinks have a huge role ontheir eating habits.According to Binkley (2006), increasing dependence on food eaten away from home (FAFH) is one of the most significant changes in American diets over the past decades.He emphasises that the increase in FAFH in total food expenses is 14% between 1970 and 2003.As a result, these figures show that next generationswould tend to be estranged from family in home and traditional family suppers.Moreover, another effect of fast-food in terms of social issues is that junkfoods and softdrinks make people more
JUNK FOODS AND SOFT DRINKS
Husnu Yilmaz
Istanbul Şehir University
Over the past decades, obesity has become a serious problem that governments have to tackle.In fact it has been discussed for years but still there is not a certain solution to obesity.Governments and academists discuss it and provide information about the obesity epidemic but providing information is not enough, in some cases, to take notice and to care about the damaging outcomes of fast-food.So, to prevent the negative effects of spreading fast-food culture, governments should implement more taxes on junk foods and soft drinks, which are causing obesity.Taxes imposed on them canalso enhance the awareness of society.Because in general, people do not care about health information but if the subject is money, people would begin to think about the reasons of the raise in taxes and they realize the negative effects of junk foods.
First of all, fast-food changes our lifestyles and eating habits.As a tradition in the past, families came together for supper and had quality time with all members of the family.However, the fast-food and junkfoodsectors have become famous and theyhave shown people that there is an easier and “faster” way of eating.Because of this, people do not get together for family dinners and it equals less time with family.Especially among adolescents, junkfood and softdrinks have a huge role ontheir eating habits.According to Binkley (2006), increasing dependence on food eaten away from home (FAFH) is one of the most significant changes in American diets over the past decades.He emphasises that the increase in FAFH in total food expenses is 14% between 1970 and 2003.As a result, these figures show that next generationswould tend to be estranged from family in home and traditional family suppers.Moreover, another effect of fast-food in terms of social issues is that junkfoods and softdrinks make people more
References: BINKLEY, J. K. (2006). The Effect of Demographic, Economic, and Nutrition Factors on the Frequency of Food Away from Home.Journal Of Consumer Affairs, 40(2), 372-391. Kim, D., & Kawachi, I. (2006). Food taxation and pricing strategies to "thin out" the obesity epidemic. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine, 30(5), 430-437. Helen, G., David A., G., Cora P., A., Ludmila, M., Patrícia, T., Maria C., A., & ... Pedro C., H. (n.d). Original article: Adolescents ' Perception of Causes of Obesity: Unhealthy Lifestyles or Heritage?. Journal Of Adolescent Health, 51(Supplement), S46-S52. Lokuruka, M. I. (2013). A LITERATURE REVIEW OF ROLE OF OBESITY IN ADULT HEALTH WITH REFERENCE TO AFRICA. African Journal Of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition & Development, 13(1), 7088-7104.