Childhood Obesity

ITS NOT AN OPINION…………..ITS FACT

Tripled in the last 30 years!!!

Are we ready to bury our children?

According to Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports on obesity (Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance and Progress in Preventing

Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up?) :• Childhood obesity has increased dramatically over the last three

decades, and conditions in many communities continue to act as barriers to healthy eating and adequate physical activity.

• Childhood obesity is a serious health problem that has adverse and potentially long-lasting consequences for individuals, families, and

communities. • Overall, more than 16.3 percent of children and adolescents aged 2–

19 are obese.• Obesity is so prevalent that it may reduce the life expectancy of

today’s generation of children and diminish the overall quality of their lives.

(http://site.ebrary.com/lib/westga/docDetail.action )

FACTS

The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now

considered obese

Solution:?

There are several similar tax proposed to reduce the weight of

our young children. Seven states impose special taxes

or fees on soda and soft drinks Ten states has exclude certain

high-fat and high-sugar edibles ("junk food")

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/olrdata/fin/rpt/2002-r-1004.htm

• This will reduce health care cost• Raise money (Reduce deficit)• Promotes overall wellness

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/27/fat-tax-healthcare-business-washington-obama.html

YAY!FORBES.COM SAYS

• Would hit the lower class too hard• Bigger people should deal with this problem on their own• Will not really control the bad behavior http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/economics/2011/10/fat-taxes-solve-problem-designed.html

NAY!THE TAXPAYERS’ ALLIANCE SAYS

Implementing a tax on junk foods will discourage and

decrease the consumption of foods and beverages that

have minimal nutritional value, such

as sugar-sweetened beverages.

WHY TAX????