Majority of Americans say "No" to 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
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|
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.”
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|
Total
|
|
Under weight
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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. For more information on mediacurves.com, please contact Barbara Taylor, director, MediaCurves.com, at (908) 483-9146 or (barbara.taylor@hcdi.net).
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.
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.
there is already too much government there should be less we are becoming socialists
We are already taxed to death.
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!
Some people cannot help the fact that they are overweight due to thyroid problems. The government should mind their own business
Very interesting survey makes you think about buying a bag of potato chips!
I think having to pay a tax for just eating is stupid. We shouldent have to pey, the people who sell should pay.
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.
Government does not need to tax fat food
The government should not be involved in what we eat and definately should not tax us for anything further. !!!
The government should not control weight issues..IT IS UP TO THE PERSON..and it should be THEM that pay...Thanks for asking..
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Certain medications when taken with put on weight , would you classify these individuals as overweight?
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.
intresting, but totally disagree with taxing fatty foods. people are to eat what they want to
i think it should be economical to eat healty and expensive to eat unhealthy
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
by Sunil (Anonymous User)
on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 @ 9:52:05 AM (
#7966)
In one question of the renect weekly test..there was a statement income from 9 months service in Japan and 3 months service in India = Rs.something for calculating taxable income of ROR RNOR NR..y did we include only 3 months of service for NR and RNOR..because it may be possible that the person was employed in India to conduct his services partially in India and partially abroad..So income should be accrued in India ?
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on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 @ 9:49:29 AM (
#7975)
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Education would probably be more effective than a tax
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.
About time we do something about some causes of high cost of healthcare.
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.
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.
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!!).
Interesting concept but I would hate to see the government become involved in our personal eating habits.
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.
I think doctors may need to get involved with weight gain but not the government
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.
no tax on fat-let them eat cake
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.
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?
I feel if they are going to charge smokers more than yes charge us who are over weight.
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.
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?
Lets not forget the fact that obeisityis concidered a disease. I don't think you should be able to tax a disease!!!!
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
I do believe people need to take better care of themselfs. This includes exercise
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.
keepm obama out of health care
I think that what makes us special because we are all different.
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.
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!
GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT DO THIS BECAUSE KIDS EAT OF THE HIGH FAT ITEMS THAT ARE NOT OVERWEIGHT.
I think it is an eye opener.
i don't beleive that the goverment should control anything that personal in anyones life.
I think it is wise to place a higher tax on alcohol and cigarettes if fat foods are taxed higher.
Tax on the foods impacts me, higher insurance premiums for the obese only affect the obest. This is the way it should be.
I think the government has no place in telling we the people how we should act or live
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.
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.
As a nurse, I love the idea
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.
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.
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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!
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.
people should set goal for weight loss
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.
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.
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.
I do not think the government should be able to control what we eat by taxing our food
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.
Too many people eat too much these days. This might be a motivator.
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?
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.
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!
by Nona (Anonymous User)
on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 1:41:47 AM (
#8164)
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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.
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!
I feel we should try anything that in the end might make people healthier and live longer.
there really isn't anybody can tell you what they can and cannot eat. you could get sued.
Most "fast" foods are high in fat, overly processed and generally not good. They should be taxed to minimize their consumption.
by Samdi (Anonymous User)
on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 9:21:38 AM (
#8170)
For the people that just diacrsd the Times as a good source of information, I would like them to present me a reasonable option with a better (in terms of years) track record of investigative reporting. That doesn't mean that it is not flawed, everything is, but you need to make decisions on the margin. If I remember right, this is called Marginal Analysis in economics.
by Hesterh (Anonymous User)
on Friday, November 9, 2012 @ 2:59:33 AM (
#8184)
I'm impressed, I must say. Really raerly do I encounter a blog that's both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
KEEP GOV. OUT OF HEALTH CARE
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.
Thanks for all the great comments! They really help to give a wide range of perspectives on this controversial issue!
by sqlixfxq (Anonymous User)
on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 2:14:52 PM (
#5177)
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