Daniel Devery of West Windsor
Obesity is more prevalent in the United States than any other country, including other Western industrialized regions like the United Kingdom. Adults are not alone when it comes to suffering from weight problems. Obesity in children and adolescents is becoming a huge problem in the United States. Due to the extremely high obesity rate in America, especially the youth of America, taxes should be placed on foods high in saturated fats and sugars to combat the growing obesity epidemic. By taxing these food items it will pressure Americans already under economic strain to buy cheaper, healthier food. The money accumulated from these taxes would then be used to promote physical well being and healthy life choices.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States every year. Not only is obesity is a major contributor to heart disease, it effects 49.2 percent of Americans; 32.2 percent of American adults and 17 percent of children are obese, totaling 149,481,722 obese U.S. citizens. Another 30 percent of the American population is simply overweight. The vast majority of these people are obese due to diet and life style, both of which can be corrected.
The obesity tax is a legitimate way to combat the over consumption of unhealthy foods as well as to reform the eating habits and mindsets of young Americans.
Daniel Devery
West Windsor

