Already, nearly 17% of American healthcare costs are linked to obesity (Bhasha, 2010). Under the new health care reform legislation of 2010, employers are not allowed to deny insurance based on a person's weight; however, there's a caveat in which employees in wellness programs can be charged up to 50% more if their weight exceeds specified levels based on age, gender, and height (Downey, 2010). Whether government should be involved in increasing premiums based on lifestyle choices and weight, or penalizing and restricting "junk" food consumption, is highly controversial; I would argue that this involvement is necessary to control obesity among Americans and control healthcare costs. Furthermore, corporations producing unhealthy foods should be taxed, and healthy foods should be made available at more affordable prices. The sad fact is that poor people often cannot afford healthier options (Osterweil, 2004). While many Americans will complain and cry "socialism" if these types of laws are enforced, the truth is that unhealthy food choices are arguably as dangerous to one's health as smoking, drug, or alcohol use; the difference is that the effects take longer to manifest and therefore are easy to ignore or deny. Therefore, if regulating the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is considered acceptable in this country, certainly it's time to admit that the prevalence of addictions to unhealthy foods must also be addressed by lawmakers. I'm not saying that these laws will solve the problem any more than limits on alcohol can prevent alcoholism; people...
However, I believe it is the responsibility of people in power to support these types of laws for the sake of promoting and encouraging better health. Even small reductions in obesity rates will mean longer, healthier, and happier lives for many Americans.
Introduction Without good nutrition, one cannot lead a quality and healthy lifestyle. Quite a number of diseases and health conditions in America and in the rest of the world are caused by poor nutrition. These diseases are known as lifestyle diseases. Of course other factors such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and reduced physical activity can also contribute to one acquiring a lifestyle disease, but the main cause is usually
Food, Technology and Class The digestive divide: Food, technology, and class and the changing eating habits of Americans and people around the globe Much has been written about the 'digital divide,' or the fact that poorer people tend to have less access to cutting-edge technology and are thus disenfranchised from many educational, vocational, and personal opportunities for self-improvement. However, this digital divide is also seen in the different eating habits of the social
Health Public Good Public Health as a Public Good The United States has one of the lowest cost food options available to its consumers in the world. For an extended period, people assumed that this was a benefit of capitalism and that competition had helped push down the prices and made food available at lower costs through the market. However, many externalities have arisen in these circumstances that are now pointing researchers
Many tourists have their picture taken in front of the McDonald's sign or with the Ronald McDonald statue outside the restaurant to document their contact with an exotic culture. " (1999) 5) Location, location, location - Over a period-of-time, Kwan's study notes that "...as the number of fast food outlets increased, the reasons why people go to fast food places changed. All the interviewees who have become accustomed to the
Fast Food advertising has been allowed to profess anything, from the 'healthy quality' of their food to the food company's contribution to homeless kids. While fast food giants are quick to take any of their detractors to court for any erroneous allegations made by members of the public, it doesn't stop these same companies from committing libel themselves through their promotions. However, most fast food companies steer clear of making
Fast Food In the United States right now the country is facing an epidemic of obesity which means that too many people are overweight to an unhealthy level which is very bad. More and more people are becoming unhealthy because they do not eat the right things. People live a very hectic lifestyle in the current time and this makes them want to get things fast. Instead of going home and
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