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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.
References
Bhasha, B. (2010, 11-09). Obesity Care Costs Double What Was Previously Estimated. Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from www.bharatbhasha.com: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/health.php/271594
Downey, M. (2010, 03-23). What Does Health Care Reform Mean for Obesity? Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from www.thedowneyobesityreport.com: http://www.downeyobesityreport.com/2010/03/what-does-health-care-reform-mean-for-obesity/
Fried, E., & Simon, M. (2007). The Competitive Food Conundrum: Can Government Regulations Improve School Food? Duke Law Journal, 1491.
Gordon, R. (2010, 11-13). Mayor Gavin Newsom vetoes fast-food toy ban. Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from articles.sfgate.com: http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-11-13/bay-area/24830064_1_toy-ban-toys-in-kids-meals-vetoes
Osterweil, N. (2004, 03-19). Fat, Cheap, and Out of Control. Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from www.medicinenet.com: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52444
staff. (2010). U.S. Obesity Trends. Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from www.cdc.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
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