Archive for the ‘Public Policy’ Category
Don’t Tax Soda, Tax Fat Soda Drinkers
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
I really don’t have all the answers when it comes to solving the obesity epidemic. It’s easy to say that people need to break free from their sugar addictions and take full responsibility for their lives, but exactly how we can convince individuals to do that across society is still open for debate.
Some people think, like tobacco, soda should be taxed to the point that nobody can justify drinking it any more. On one hand, I can understand this argument because smoking has declined since it started being taxed so heavily. However, I know plenty of people who still smoke and I don’t know anyone who specifically quit because of the tax.
If you’ve read this blog long enough, you also know I’m a huge fan of Ron Paul, so I have some Libertarian leanings. As a result, it’s always difficult for me to justify raising any taxes and encouraging a “Nanny State” society. At the same time, it seems that we pay either way. If we do nothing and obesity rates continue to climb, healthcare costs will rise exponentially and everyone will pay. Yet, if we tax soda, yes taxes go up, but only those who choose to drink the poison are affected. You can see my dillema.
Posted in Public Policy, Sugar Addiction | 1 Comment »
Ambulances start charging extra for obese patients
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Everyone knows sugar addiction and obesity is costing Americans billions, but every time that statement is made, it refers to the general population. Well, according to the Associated Press, obese people are starting to experience the real cost of their condition in dollars and cents.
“As the nation battles the obesity crisis, ambulance crews are trying to improve how they transport extremely heavy patients, who become significantly more difficult to move as they surpass 350 pounds. And caring for such patients is expensive, requiring costly equipment and extra workers, so some ambulance companies have started charging higher fees for especially overweight people.”
It can apparently cost up to two and a half times as much to transport obese patients. Between the additional workers involved and all of the expensive equipment (like the kind shown in the picture above), it adds up quick.
Posted in Public Policy, Sugar Addiction | No Comments »
Are You Pouring On The Pounds?
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Yesterday, I mentioned that drinking just one soda per day will help you gain 26 pounds per year. Well, it turns out the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is currently running an ad campaign throughout the city to “encourage consumers to choose beverages with less sugar.”
As someone who has been writing about sugar consumption for quite a while, it’s awesome to see sugar finally getting a proper kick in the pants.
“The campaign’s signature image – in which a bottle of soda, ’sports’ drink or sweetened iced tea turns to a blob of fat as it reaches the glass – is a stark reminder of how these products can lead to obesity and related health problems. The ads urge New Yorkers to cut back on sugary beverages and quench their thirst with water, seltzer or low-fat milk instead. Many people may stir a teaspoon or two of sugar into their coffee, but few realize that a 20-ounce bottle of soda can contain 16 ½ teaspoons of sugar.”
Posted in Public Policy, Sugar Addiction | 1 Comment »
Food may be cheap, but is it a bargain?
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
For the longest time while I was growing up, I always wondered, “If the price of everything else goes up, why doesn’t food?” It’s ironic to me that today I spend a lot of time reading articles about the impact of those low prices.
In today’s LA Times Mary MacVean writes, “…Americans spend less of their disposable income on food, about 6%, than the citizens of other countries. Considered another way, we spent 18% less on food in 2007 than in the 1970s…” There’s no doubt I’m in the minority here, but does that seem odd to anyone else? Every time I see a Taco Bell commercial that asks, “Why pay more?” while screaming about their $0.79, $0.89, & $0.99 “food,” I think, “Because food should cost more than that.”
Plus, if you take into account the medical expenses that we all share because of that kind of “food,” $147 billion/year on obesity alone (not to mention heart disease & cancer), I think it becomes obvious that the cost of “cheap” food is MUCH higher than their advertisements let on.
So, the next time you feel like making a run for the border, do me a favor and just go for a run.
Posted in Fast Food, Public Policy, Sugar Addiction | No Comments »
A HUGE Step in the Right Direction!
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
The Wall Street Journal has reported that, “The American Heart Association is taking aim at the nation’s sweet tooth, urging consumers to significantly cut back on the amount of sugar they get from such foods as soft drinks, cookies and ice cream.”
I never thought I’d live to see the day! Finally, a major association has addressed our nation’s sugar addiction and taken the first step in indicting the biggest contributor to our obesity problem.
“In a scientific statement issued Monday, the organization says most women should limit their sugar intake to 100 calories, or about six teaspoons, a day; for men, the recommendation is 150 calories, or nine teaspoons.”
While they are still off the mark by focusing on calories, it is extremely encouraging to at least see them telling people to limit their sugar intake. Even more exciting is the fact that the recommendations are rather stringent. One can of Coke alone contains over nine teaspoons of sugar, so they are calling for a serious slow down in consumption.
Posted in Public Policy, Sugar Addiction | No Comments »
Which is worse, obesity or dancing in public?
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
In Googling around looking for stories to write about, I sometimes stumble upon a gem. The Brits have supplied this one.
Apparently, “The government has made Arlene Phillips its ‘dance tsar’ in the hope of improving the nation’s health.”
I certainly don’t know the definitive solution to the obesity epidemic, but I’m almost certain it’s not The Hustle.
Your thoughts?
Posted in Public Policy, Sugar Addiction | No Comments »
You’re Fat; You’re Fired!
Saturday, August 15th, 2009
Delos M. Cosgrove, chief executive of the Cleveland Clinic, decided to stop hiring smokers two years. Now, he would like to take his hospital’s health initiative a step further and stop hiring obese people. However, legal issues have stopped him from making that decision.
Given the negative PR that could result from a story like that, I find it fascinating that Cosgrove is so public about his opinion. But, that is exactly what we need in this country.
We need journalists to take politicians to task for their poor policies, bold executives who aren’t afraid to generate meaningful discussion, and (most of all) we need to hold each other accountable for what we’re doing to our bodies and our future.
This New York Times piece offers a few interesting angles on this multi-tiered issue. One of the most intriguing statistics sited is, “The real price of soda has fallen 33 percent over the last three decades. The real price of fruit and vegetables has risen more than 40 percent.” With prices like that, it’s no wonder we’ve all got sugar addictions!
From personal responsibility to public policy, whatever your role, please do everything you can to help us reverse this epidemic today!
Tags: Freedom
Posted in Public Policy, Sugar Addiction | No Comments »
Childhood Obesity = Child Abuse?
Saturday, August 8th, 2009
A South Carolina mother named Jerri Gray was recently arrested and charged with criminal neglect when her son reached 555 pounds at 14 years old.
I generally tend to agree with Ron Jones, who is quoted in the story as saying, “If you gave your child a drug, you’d be held in the court. But if you kill them with food, that seems to be acceptable.” However, I would like to know the person’s income level before I jump fully on board with the prosecution.
Obesity statistics fall largely along economic lines. Poor people tend to be heavier because they can only afford to eat processed garbage. If the government would stop subsidizing junk food, it would help to stop this problem, but that is going to take time.
It also strikes me that this woman is an African American living in South Carolina. I’m curious to know if they would ever think to arrest a white woman in their town for the same alleged crime.
So, while it’s certainly time to get people to take responsibility for what they feed their children, it seems to me that this will create a precedent that could bring further injustice to the poor.
Here is the USA Today story, what are your thoughts?
Tags: Target: Children
Posted in Legislation, Public Policy | No Comments »
Iran Thinks You’re Fat!
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
It’s interesting to watch the interplay between enemy nations. In the cold war, we worked extremely hard to build a strong hockey program and beat the Russians. We eventually pulled off the “Miracle on Ice” and made history.
Today, the role of the evil enemy nation is played by Iran and we have been working equally hard preparing for the imminent battle. But, I’m pretty sure they don’t play hockey, so, from the looks of this Tehran Times piece, I think we should challenge them to a duel; either a hot dog eating contest at Coney Island or an international Biggest Loser contest simulcast on NBC and Al Jazeera. Seriously, do you think they could down 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes? Not a chance! And, look at the report. We would be so much bigger losers than they could ever dream of being.
What better way is there to demonstrate our moral superiority as a country?
p.s. The picture was taken from their story. The file was named “11_American.” What a fantastic image we’ve built for ourselves around the globe!
Tags: Freedom
Posted in Fast Food, Public Policy, Sugar Addiction, The Life | No Comments »
Hospital Cafeteria Bans Fried Foods
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
Just yesterday I was wondering when a hospital was going to step up and stop serving garbage to their patients, workers, and visitors. I’m happy to report that one hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire has made the first positive step in the direction of preventing patients from coming back.
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center has initiated a “Live Well, Work Well” program where they ditched their deep friars and started serving fruit. They’re also sprucing up the hall ways and encouraging people to take the stairs.
It’s not every day I get to report some positive news around obesity. I only hope the other hospitals around the country, particularly in Michigan, will follow suit.
Posted in Food Marketing, Public Policy | No Comments »
