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Majority of Americans say "No" to Fat Tax

Fat Tax

Most Americans also feel that the rise in medical costs is impacted by increases in obesity

Flemington, NJ, July 31, 2009 – A new national media study among 602 Americans reveals that 68% feel that there should not be a tax placed on foods higher in fat.

The study was conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website during July 30-31, to obtain viewers’ perceptions of a video discussion of whether a tax should be placed on fattening foods, and whether obese individuals should pay higher insurance costs.

The study also revealed that 76% of viewers feel that the rise in medical costs has been moderately or highly impacted by the increase in obesity and obesity-related conditions. Only 3% of viewers feel that the increase in obesity rates has not affected the rise in medical costs. While 48% of viewers think obese individuals should pay higher insurance premiums, 52% disagree with this concept.

Among the findings:

“If the U.S. Government taxed higher-fat foods, the national obesity rate would:”

	Total
Decrease	24%
Stay the same	73%
Increase	2%

“To what extent do you think the rise of medical costs is impacted by an increase in obesity and obesity-related conditions in the U.S.?”

	Total
Highly impacted	29%
Moderately impacted	47%
Minimally impacted	21%
Not at all impacted	3%

“To what extent do you think the government should be involved in how/what Americans consume?”

	Total
Highly involved	6%
Moderately involved	21%
Minimally involved	33%
Not at all involved	41%

“Please use the chart below and select which weight category you fall into based on your weight and height.”

	Total
Under weight	3%
Healthy weight	36%
Moderate overweight	44%
Severe overweight	18%

While viewing the video, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net). You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mediacurves and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flemington-NJ/MediaCurves/86691908820

HCD Research, a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. MediaCurves.com® (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

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RE: Fat Tax

by ssenter (User #223993) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1591)

I believe in healthier eating, but I don't think the science is complete. There are good fats and bad fats and the situation may be more complex than that. What we're feeding our children in schools is supposed to be healthy, but our children's weight and general health prove otherwise.

RE: Fat Tax

by nmjg12 (User #223795) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1592)

Popular science magazine and a news program recently explored emerging science that a virus can cause obesity,genetics,and our caveman insinct to not lose fat for scarce food seasons controlled by the brain.Fat can be watched carefully by consumers and many many manufacuters have already reduced fat content.The government never saw a tax they didnt like, so guess what, blinking your eyes will also be taxed next.

RE: Fat Tax

by rlrunyon (User #54198) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1593)

there is already too much government there should be less we are becoming socialists

RE: Fat Tax

by Bucks71 (User #227106) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1594)

We are already taxed to death.

RE: Fat Tax

by LaurieM (User #59331) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1595)

The government should require the cost of HEALTHY foods to be lower. It's extremely hard to eat healthy because all the food that is good for us is way too expensive! The fatty foods are cheap!

RE: Fat Tax

by Sandee44 (User #55502) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1596)

Some people cannot help the fact that they are overweight due to thyroid problems. The government should mind their own business

RE: Fat Tax

by rasteni (User #226015) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1597)

Very interesting survey makes you think about buying a bag of potato chips!

RE: Fat Tax

by GarciaBros (User #227128) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:10 PM (#1598)

I think having to pay a tax for just eating is stupid. We shouldent have to pey, the people who sell should pay.

RE: Fat Tax

by BarbEibes (User #218818) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1599)

Stereo typing people who are over weight is wrong - some people are over weight because of heredity or medical reasons and should not be condemned because of it. Not all people choose to be over weight.

RE: Fat Tax

by jefferyburns38 (User #226537) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1600)

Government does not need to tax fat food

RE: Fat Tax

by dcrossley (User #214444) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1601)

The government should not be involved in what we eat and definately should not tax us for anything further. !!!

RE: Fat Tax

by Edmund (User #222167) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1602)

The government should not control weight issues..IT IS UP TO THE PERSON..and it should be THEM that pay...Thanks for asking..

RE: Fat Tax

by EDAZLEY (User #227062) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1603)

I believe that people who are grossly under weight is just as much risk for health problems as "overweight" people. I know far more underweight people that ar very ill vs. "overweight" people.

RE: Fat Tax

by cheryllina (User #213661) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1604)

Interesting survey. Maybe the government should just tax unhealthy processed foods & not differentiate between high fat content and high sugar content which is just if not more unhealthy.

RE: Fat Tax

by locustroots (User #218588) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1605)

I am in excellent shape. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat. I am 5'11" and weigh 188 lbs. If I was in a bathing suit anyone would say that I am either thin or well-toned.

RE: Fat Tax

by Theresa1019 (User #209260) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1606)

This would all be mute if we would go the way of Canada, France, and Cuba by having a National Health System which is paid for by the government, and ultimately by every citizen. If we can get Insurance Companies out of the equation, and the government regulate and run the production of medication, we would save a lot of money, and everyone would be able to have quality health care. OMG, why do we in the USA have to pay $120. for an inhaler while in Cuba it costs $.05. And, why do the insurance companies pay doctor's on their staff bonuses for rejecting treatment to thier members. We no longer have preventative medicine in this country. Medical care is controlled by the insurance lobbyests who give huge contributions to the lawmakers who vote their agenda. And, don't tell me we don't want a socialized society, we already have one. Do you get a bill from your child's Teacher to teach your child? Do you get a bill for a fire truck to come to your house when it is on fire? Do you get a bill when a policeman comes to your house for a disturbance or to investigate a burglery? No, they are all paid for by the government, and by us through taxes!

RE: Fat Tax

by Nalaine (User #225370) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1607)

this not so much about fat as it is control. Taxing what they say that nobody should have. Now they not only have to the control of the food that is sold....they are going tax people for putting it in their mouths. I thought this was the land of freedom....not the land of control. If the goverment is so concerned about it why don't they just take it off the market completely? No option. No tax. No fat.

RE: Fat Tax

by StanleyR (User #225386) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1608)

Certain medications when taken with put on weight , would you classify these individuals as overweight?

RE: Fat Tax

by eileen2000 (User #223867) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1609)

Prejudice and discrimination against fat people seems to be one of the last acceptable "isms". This kind of study plays into that bias and is misleading. If we are going to put taxes on things that impact health costs it opens us up to all sorts of taxes. Taxes on faster cars, taxes on skydiving, taxes on not wearing seatbelts, taxes on sedentary behaviors like watching t.v., taxes on indiscriminate sexual behavior. I find this kind of reporting very lazy, inflammatory and fear-mongering. I am tired of being blamed for others' increasing costs. I am sick far less often than my younger, and thinner, co-workers.

RE: Fat Tax

by mawmawnancy (User #223553) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1610)

intresting, but totally disagree with taxing fatty foods. people are to eat what they want to

RE: Fat Tax

by talynn75 (User #226275) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1611)

i think it should be economical to eat healty and expensive to eat unhealthy

RE: Fat Tax

by bacicat (User #98062) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1612)

my state of NY has the highest 'sin' tax on cigarettes...as they say - to stop smokers...how is a 'fat tax' not the next thing..when obesity is rampant. I see kids pull out $20 to buy McDonalds all the time. and they are not buying the fruit snacks offered2

RE: Fat Tax

by Haymons2 (User #216468) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1613)

Education would probably be more effective than a tax

RE: Fat Tax

by johngabriel803 (User #216528) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1614)

I don't believe we solve problems by taxing them. Look at tobacco and alcohol, to name a few. Same or worse problems with the tax. It's the wrong type of "social engineering" and the government needs to stay out of it.

RE: Fat Tax

by jarroyo (User #217804) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1615)

About time we do something about some causes of high cost of healthcare.

RE: Fat Tax

by regine735 (User #225646) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1616)

Not all overweight persons are unhealthy. BMI weight charts are based on junk science and the idea of making an overweight person pay extra for a condition they may not be able to do anything to change is bigoted! Health doesn't depend on size. Good health care for everyone and closer examination of the quality of food available at fair prices are much more important than picking on the overweight.

RE: Fat Tax

by stibila (User #220241) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1617)

This was a relevant and interesting survey. I think fatty foods should be taxed because they do increase health risks. After all, smokers pay an enormous amount of unfair tax because of the health risk, although obesity may not be as unhealthy as smoking. That is discrimination. It's clever they way the way the proposal is worded, not being aimed at obese people, but fatty foods.

RE: Fat Tax

by rquilt (User #214831) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1618)

The government deciding on proper behavior for its' citizens in no longer a democratic one. The only good which would come of such a fascist law would be to create a black market in foods desired by citizens. Thus a REAL stimulus to the economy (like prohibition was!!).

RE: Fat Tax

by pjm2347 (User #224125) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1619)

Interesting concept but I would hate to see the government become involved in our personal eating habits.

RE: Fat Tax

by karnevil9 (User #223908) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1620)

The government should legalize marijuana & start taxing that; they can also tax more on liquor, which is more destructive than a few french fries a month. The government has no right to tax us into health, it's a bizarre practice in a democracy, especially one as rich and powerful as ours - they should focus their energies on more important things, like helping me get a job that pays me enough to live on.

RE: Fat Tax

by GBird84 (User #223516) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1621)

I think doctors may need to get involved with weight gain but not the government

RE: Fat Tax

by tidalwavemarketing (User #214737) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1622)

In my opinion the government is stepping way out of bounds in trying to run our lifes.....Let Americans do what they've done since the founding of this country....supply and demand has and could work again if Government would just back off....Fix the Government, not capitalism.

RE: Fat Tax

by boomer3145 (User #224621) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1623)

no tax on fat-let them eat cake

RE: Fat Tax

by declemo1 (User #225387) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1624)

Very interesting survey, but you were only targeting one area-- people and obesity. What about the roles the food and pharmaceutical industry plays in the problem. Not to mention the possible effects of GMO Foods.

RE: Fat Tax

by xofrxofr (User #224239) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1625)

Taxing "unhealthy" foods is a silly notion. Eating one "unhealthy" cookie will not make you obese, while eating a pound o "healthy" cheese every day will. It comes down to quantity an eating habits more than the label we put on food. Steak, bread, and cheese are "healthy", but a cheeseburger with the same ingrediends is unhealthy. Why?

RE: Fat Tax

by kellyford5 (User #227141) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1626)

I feel if they are going to charge smokers more than yes charge us who are over weight.

RE: Fat Tax

by ramah1 (User #218149) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1627)

Something needs to be done to combat the obesity rate in this country but I don't think taxing fatty foods is the answer. Most everyone likes chocolate and ice cream and not all of those people are obese, so why make them pay the penalty. Taxing fast food is a better answer than taxing high fat foods.

RE: Fat Tax

by norma123 (User #54569) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1628)

Not all the fat people are fat because of the food, the insurance companies are for profit, I have a suggestion, Why we don't send the fat people to a far away island?

RE: Fat Tax

by Rodmanw (User #225433) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1629)

Lets not forget the fact that obeisityis concidered a disease. I don't think you should be able to tax a disease!!!!

RE: Fat Tax

by oklahoma (User #211933) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1630)

INTERESTING TOPIC WITH REGARDS TO OBESITY WITH THE EXCEPTON OF MEDICARE/CAID i DONT THINK THE GOVT HAS ANY BUSINESS TAXING ANY FREE ENTERPRISE FOR SOCIAL ENGINEERING OR SOCIAL CONTROL EG FAT TAX WHY NOT REDUCE INCOME TAX DUE FOR INCREMENTAL WEIGHT LOSS

RE: Fat Tax

by zoeyplum (User #220384) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1631)

I do believe people need to take better care of themselfs. This includes exercise

RE: Fat Tax

by Keith/Shirley (User #216852) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1632)

There are certain medical conditions because of genetic factors that cause an individual to be overweight, and they should not be penalized. That being said, other individuals who "choose" to be overweight through their eating habits, should most definitely be penalized, but only so long as "healthy" people are not also penalized.

RE: Fat Tax

by rok4con0 (User #218732) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:11 PM (#1633)

keepm obama out of health care

RE: Fat Tax

by tabbytabbycakes (User #49210) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1634)

I think that what makes us special because we are all different.

RE: Fat Tax

by andylynnmd (User #224558) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1635)

I agree with raising insurance rates for people who are obese. We should offer power premiums to people who choose to live a healthy lifestyle.

RE: Fat Tax

by bettyp (User #222097) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1636)

I feel the government should do its job of protecting the american people from food processing , to illegal immigrants, to terrorism; and, let the American people take care of themselves so they can aspire to all that they be and obtain "LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS." Lung cancer was not reduced with the increased taxes. I feel the tax on fat will not reduce obecity. The idea to increase premiums on obease people should be put on the same level as increasing premiums for the cigarett smoker, the mom who has breast cancer, the grandfather who needs a kidney or liver transplant, and the baby that needs a heart transplant. Come on, this borderlines on the rediculous!

RE: Fat Tax

by BILLBO (User #222921) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1637)

GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT DO THIS BECAUSE KIDS EAT OF THE HIGH FAT ITEMS THAT ARE NOT OVERWEIGHT.

RE: Fat Tax

by merlyn39 (User #214066) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1638)

I think it is an eye opener.

RE: Fat Tax

by lindahow66 (User #227111) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1639)

i don't beleive that the goverment should control anything that personal in anyones life.

RE: Fat Tax

by lgancs (User #223626) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1640)

I think it is wise to place a higher tax on alcohol and cigarettes if fat foods are taxed higher.

RE: Fat Tax

by fjones (User #225135) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1641)

Tax on the foods impacts me, higher insurance premiums for the obese only affect the obest. This is the way it should be.

RE: Fat Tax

by irishm (User #227063) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1642)

I think the government has no place in telling we the people how we should act or live

RE: Fat Tax

by flictoe (User #224664) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1643)

I also think families should be charged per child instead of by "family" so that families with 8 children pay the same as those with 1.

RE: Fat Tax

by mysunday77 (User #220515) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1644)

Obesity is a disease. As usual ignorance exists. Obese people do not necessarily choose to be obese. Why don't we tax people with congenital disease or maybe severe ambulatory disease. they cause so many preoblems for "normal" folks.

RE: Fat Tax

by julierz (User #227077) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1645)

As a nurse, I love the idea

RE: Fat Tax

by rubyred952 (User #227176) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1646)

Obesity is a serious problem in the US; however, the cost of healthy foods is so much higher than foods that are not so healthy. Example: Fast food restaurants rarely have healthy choices on their $.99 menu.

RE: Fat Tax

by Guess65 (User #225359) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1647)

I feel Americans would be better served by educating us on proper nutrition and eating habits. This could be through schools, ads, better product labeling, nutrional infromation readily availabel in fast food restaurants, etc.

RE: Fat Tax

by oldgoat378 (User #214730) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1648)

Just another tax for the politicians to fill their pockets with. I'm fed up with tax's and I think most all other Americans are also!

RE: Fat Tax

by pamdel (User #222256) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1649)

I have a sweet tooth and yes, I weigh more then I should and I don't care. I'm 54 I don't expect to be thin at my age. If I want to eat something that is fatty, a "fat " tax is not going to stop me. The cost of healthcare is already out of control due to today's technology - not because people are heavier. If the government wants to enforce a fat tax, they should tax the companies that add fat to their products. Perhaps then companies would change their recipes and waist lines would start shrinking.

RE: Fat Tax

by theresap0717 (User #224877) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1650)

people should set goal for weight loss

RE: Fat Tax

by ladybug2 (User #226161) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1651)

This was an interesting survey. Too many of us are overweight and need to pay heed to the costs we are responsible for and not put it on the healthier people.

RE: Fat Tax

by aimsbetter (User #214126) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1652)

this is basically discrimination against fat people. People on medicare & medicaid are more obese than other people because these people don't have the money to buy healthy foods. Eating healthy is very expensive.

RE: Fat Tax

by smilinglady (User #220786) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1653)

Category of fat food is too general; who decides what's fat and for whom? The individual who does hard labor or lives in Alaska may require more fat than others do.

RE: Fat Tax

by tlcook (User #225242) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1654)

I do not think the government should be able to control what we eat by taxing our food

RE: Fat Tax

by penguinpug (User #225869) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1655)

Based on medical guidelines, I am considered obesely overweight. However, my weight is a direct result of medications taken and the fact my workout regime is limited due to arthritis and other injuries. Is it fair that I be penalized because of this weight issue? I do not eat junk food and maintain a healthy eating style. I do, tho, enjoy my junk food once in awhile. My youngest son, age 21, lives at home with me and he is very active and eats what he likes with no weight gain. Should he be punished because of weight issues? I believe the insurance/medical issues are due, not from obesity, but because of the median age of the United States. Let's face it. If government begins to tax fatty foods, where will they stop? Gas and cigarettes are already taxed beyond belief. What will happen to the majority of Americans when food is taxed so high that what little they could afford to purchase is now out of reach. Personally, I'm tired of our government interferring in our personal lives.

RE: Fat Tax

by umdoodle3 (User #223072) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1656)

Too many people eat too much these days. This might be a motivator.

RE: Fat Tax

by kfrank1 (User #223428) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1657)

Government should not be involved in what foods yOU CHOOSE to eat but can certainly tax unhealthy foods and encourage people to eat more healthy foods. The problem is trying to decide what is an unhealthy food. Is an avocado or peanut butter unhealthy because they are high in fat? Should they be taxed? High carbohydrate foods also contribute to obesity. should they be taxed too?

RE: Fat Tax

by shooshoo (User #50388) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1658)

It someone were to tax a person on obesity, perhaps a better way to go would be to tax you on the excess pounds that you weigh rather than on the food itself. Some people who are under weight would still be able to continue to eat the fatty foods which are actually healthy for them.

RE: Fat Tax

by theforbus4 (User #226263) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1659)

It would be a sad day if the government starts regulating what we can and can not eat or setting limits on how much we weigh. We would be on a very slippery slope towards being a communist country!

RE: Fat Tax

by gvanhee (User #215008) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1660)

Health care needs to be changed. Insurance companies are rationinig, denying it and interfering with it. The government certainly can't do any worse than the absurd stuff that's currently going on. When profit is more important than care, there's something wrong with the system. I also think that either malpractice needs to be curtailed, capped, or there should be a no-fault insurance to bring that waste of money down.

RE: Fat Tax

by Fayemccallum96 (User #220517) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1661)

Some people may be overweight due to their gene pool. I don't think government should be involved at all. The government has other more important issues to deal with. This may be discrimation on the governments part. Stay away!

RE: Fat Tax

by susiek (User #218582) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1662)

I feel we should try anything that in the end might make people healthier and live longer.

RE: Fat Tax

by roxanneyankovec (User #211938) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1663)

there really isn't anybody can tell you what they can and cannot eat. you could get sued.

RE: Fat Tax

by ddhearn (User #214493) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1664)

Most "fast" foods are high in fat, overly processed and generally not good. They should be taxed to minimize their consumption.

RE: Fat Tax

by goforit (User #222478) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1665)

All the goverment needs to do is learn to manage everyones tax dollars and stop wasting all of our hard earned money. Not to mention all of the goverment officials being way over paid. Reaching out at straws such as taxing fat food says a lot about our goverment. I say fire them all!

RE: Fat Tax

by james7349 (User #225419) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:12 PM (#1666)

there are way to many taxes already when will it stop if the gov. dont get their money they just rais taxes that is always their answer screw the people just they just raise taxes but the pay ratye for the people does not we are already being drained the government is supposed to be for the people not to screw the people

RE: Fat Tax

by edconnell (User #220820) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1667)

Corn sweetners used to be fed to animals to fatten them up. It is now being used by companies to save money feeding humans. It is now fatting humans. Companies that use corn instead of sugar should be taxed to protect human health or cornfeed should be banned from human comsumption

RE: Fat Tax

by magnoliamws (User #220492) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1668)

although I agree that the rate of obesity in the U.S. is alarming, I don't like the idea of the government controlling what people eat.

RE: Fat Tax

by amiaskan (User #212209) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1669)

Parents are to blame for FAT OBESE KIDS, not the government. Lazy parents will still feed their kids unhealthy foods no matter what. Granted, some people are obese due to medical/physchological reasons; but most comes from lazy, bad, parenting.

RE: Fat Tax

by purejanny (User #223312) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1670)

Choice is important. people who choose to eat Cheetos shouldn't have to pay more, but people who are bigger health risks, because they are fat, or for whatever reason, should pay more. that's how insurance should work.

RE: Fat Tax

by janeell (User #200062) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1671)

Government should offer incentives for losing weight to obese people, not tax them to death. Sweets can be made from scratch, so its non productive. So sick of the new prohibition tax policies. The government is profiting by singling out individuals.

RE: Fat Tax

by kcofield (User #99499) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1672)

Fatty foods are cheaper and so the poor tend to eat them more often. If they are taxed and cost more they will eat them less. I will not be eating them.

RE: Fat Tax

by cindylaloca (User #214198) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1673)

I think health plans should be required to pay for nutritionists and gym memberships. If you do not loose a certain amount of weight and lower your BMI you should be required to pay it back. I have lost 83# and my insurance company would not help me at all. If I had not lost this weight I would be on Diabetic meds.

RE: Fat Tax

by greer1950 (User #48906) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1674)

KEEP GOV. OUT OF HEALTH CARE

RE: Fat Tax

by concettaz (User #213750) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:52:13 PM (#1675)

Unless an obese person has specific physical problems that cause their obesity (a very small portion of the population), it is their choice to be obese (I have been morbidly obese, so I know something about this). Obesity causes a great number of physical (and emotional) problems, and taxpayers end up paying for the extra medical attention they have dug themselves into. Yes, they should have to pay higher insurance rates. Why should people with healthy habits underwrite the medical problems of the obese? There would be an uproar, but I think we can see a turnaround in the eating habits of Americans, a lowering for the need of medical attention, and a healthier nation.

RE: Fat Tax

by Ben at Mediacurves (Administrator #224968) on Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 5:04:33 PM (#1676)

Thanks for all the great comments! They really help to give a wide range of perspectives on this controversial issue!

Comment deleted

by sqlixfxq (Anonymous User) on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 2:14:52 PM (#5177)

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Majority of Americans say "No" to Fat Tax