Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;439716]
First, there can be a ton of reasons why a kid would be overweight. It could flat out be an unhealthy lifestyle, like you said. But there are a myriad of medical reasons for obesity, it could also be a thyroid problem, a genetic condition, a psychological problem, etc. And a bigger concern: a financial problem. [/QUOTE]

You guys may take this as ignorant, and perhaps it is, but i've always wondered that if all of the above cited reasons for obesity were so prevalent, why is it that we don't see all of these 300 lb behemoth's in third world countries? Say what you want, how you want it, but the simple truth is that you CANNOT be overweight if you are not consuming more calories than you are burning. Period.

Now I'm not a doctor, don't even play one on tv, but it's simple common sense. I do not doubt the validity of each and every one of those medical conditions which Schneed mentions, but I believe the VAST majority of the grossly overweight children you see are a product of lazy lifestyles and ridiculously unhealthy diets. These terribly unfit parents who allow, or God forbid ENCOURAGE this lifestyle in their children, are the first to come up with excuse after excuse mostly involving false claims pertaining to the aforementioned conditions. In these cases, I see no issue with prosecuting those who, after receiving education and subsequent monitoring, continue endangering the health of their children.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=hooskins;439692]Quake you run a 8 min mile while over 300lbs? I am sure you are in shape, but I am still in disbelief. It just doesn't physically possible to me.[/quote]


I swear to god when I was in HS I was in the 290-315 pound range and I always ran in the 7:50-8:15 range. Just dont stop running, when you stop you get tired and it takes alot more energy to start then it does to stop, so I just keep going.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=saden1;439695]He could be all muscle? Nah, I got to go with you and call b.s.[/quote]


If you want I can fly you out here and you can time me.[IMG]http://www.thewarpath.net/images/icons/icon12.gif[/IMG]

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

My whole family is athletic as well, so I always have been athletic growing up even though I have always been overweight, I just dont let it get to me. And I have seen a few people over 300 pounds run a 8 minute mile.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;439869]If you want I can fly you out here and you can time me.[IMG]http://www.thewarpath.net/images/icons/icon12.gif[/IMG][/quote]

how much is a plane ticket to inside my girlfriend?

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=EternalEnigma21;439880]how much is a plane ticket to inside my girlfriend?[/quote]


Wow I thought I changed that! LOL![IMG]http://www.thewarpath.net/images/icons/icon10.gif[/IMG] Touche! That was funny!

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

Quake, I feel ya. I'm pushing 280lbs right now. In high school, I was all district first team football and played soccer almost all my life. I ran 4 miles a day, even on days that I had practice and I never dropped seemed to drop much below 200 lbs (I'm 6' 1"). I didn't lift enough to really get cut or ripped or anything, but I was always very strong (even as a skinny ass kid).

People are astounded when I tell them I weigh almost 300 lbs. My doctor tells me I'm as healthy or more so than most of her patients, but my good cholesterol is low, so I need to exercise. I started eating healthy a few months ago, and started running every day two weeks ago to see where that takes me.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Schneed10;439811]

And the other piece we're not considering, time. For many poor folks, they need to work overtime, and sometimes two jobs, to support the young'ns. That's just to have enough money to house them, clothe them, and feed them SOMETHING. They're not left with scads of time to spend in the kitchen preparing healthy meals.

A single person who makes $40K a year has enough money and all the time they need to cook and eat healthy. But the poor are much worse off. It's not as simple as making blanket statements that everyone can do it. Until you walk a mile in their shoes, you can't tell what it feels like to stroll in after a 16 hour shift and be asked to cook a nutritious meal for less than $3 per person.[/quote]

Very good points here Schneed. Didn't really consider those. I certainly wasn't trying to preach, but at the same time my girlfriend and I both make decent money and we don't have kids, so taking time to shop for healthy food isn't difficult for us.

Although people who are too poor to grocery shop can qualify for food stamps. It annoys me when I see people paying for food at the grocery store with their food stamp cards, and the conveyor belt is full of awful stuff. And it happens all the time.

But in all honesty I would say the majority of obese people could eat properly if they wanted to. I mean really- what percentage of the population is poor, works two jobs, has no food stamp money and/or time to get to the grocery store, AND is obese or has obese children?

There are so many little things you can do to cut fat and calories. Even most fast food places have healthier choices. Like getting a baked potato or broccoli at Wendy's for your side item instead of fries. I know Subway has raisins and apple slices you can get instead of chips with their combo meals. Just a few examples.

As far as whole grains, skim milk, low fat cheese, etc etc etc- they may be more expensive than their whole milk, white bread counterparts, but not by much. A few cents here and there.

Although I don't think this is going to help matters: [URL="http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080414/inflation_squeeze.html?.v=4"]Food Costs Rising Fastest in 17 Years: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance[/URL]

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;439864]You guys may take this as ignorant, and perhaps it is, but i've always wondered that if all of the above cited reasons for obesity were so prevalent, why is it that we don't see all of these 300 lb behemoth's in third world countries? Say what you want, how you want it, but the simple truth is that you CANNOT be overweight if you are not consuming more calories than you are burning. Period.

Now I'm not a doctor, don't even play one on tv, but it's simple common sense. I do not doubt the validity of each and every one of those medical conditions which Schneed mentions, [B]but I believe the VAST majority of the grossly overweight children you see are a product of lazy lifestyles and ridiculously unhealthy diets. These terribly unfit parents who allow, or God forbid ENCOURAGE this lifestyle in their children, are the first to come up with excuse after excuse mostly involving false claims pertaining to the aforementioned conditions.[/B] In these cases, I see no issue with prosecuting those who, after receiving education and subsequent monitoring, continue endangering the health of their children.[/quote]

EXACTLY. American parents are happy to let their kids sit in front of their PS3's and XBOX's all friggin day and night, and don't pay enough attention to what they're eating. Give them two scoops of ice cream after their meal and don't bat an eye when they head straight for the TV, CPU, or video games. We're a wealthy nation that spends so much time in front of screens. There is reason other cultures like most of Europe and Japan don't have this problem- better diets, better discipline.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

If we are going to punish parents when their kids get fat, why don't we punish parents when their kids underperform in school? I would argue that poor school performance is a bigger threat to kids and society than a poor diet.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;439891]If we are going to punish parents when their kids get fat, why don't we punish parents when their kids underperform in school? I would argue that poor school performance is a bigger threat to kids and society than a poor diet.[/quote]


I agree with you but the argument that people will use is that poor school doesnt kill you (physically that is)

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;439891]If we are going to punish parents when their kids get fat, why don't we punish parents when their kids underperform in school? I would argue that poor school performance is a bigger threat to kids and society than a poor diet.[/quote]

I think its a matter of health in general, and the direct threat of death. Many kids are dangerously obese with no control over themselves, and could very well lead to diabetes and heart disease, and ultimately premature death. Pretty hefty price to pay for a lazy parent. I don't know, I guess its just because I've seen first hand a stupid lazy slut of a mother who didn't want a kid completely ruin a little girl's life, without consequence, I feel there should be some kind of recourse.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[QUOTE=EARTHQUAKE2689;439910]I agree with you but the argument that people will use is that poor school doesnt kill you (physically that is)[/QUOTE]

It will increase your odds of becoming poor, engaging in criminal activities, and generally make your life miserable. Honestly, if I as a parent had to choose between having a kid with weight issues or a kid who got Fs in school on a regular basis, I'd choose the former.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[QUOTE=EternalEnigma21;439914]I think its a matter of health in general, and the direct threat of death. Many kids are dangerously obese with no control over themselves, and could very well lead to diabetes and heart disease, and ultimately premature death. Pretty hefty price to pay for a lazy parent. I don't know, I guess its just because I've seen first hand a stupid lazy slut of a mother who didn't want a kid completely ruin a little girl's life, without consequence, I feel there should be some kind of recourse.[/QUOTE]

Understood. But obese kids are not dying left and right. They grow to become obese adults and die early, but well after they have a chance as adults to modify their diet and exercise regimen. Who cares? I think it's pretty scary to think that people believe the government should be allowed to throw people in jail because they let their kids eat too many chicken mcnuggets. Oh how far we have come since 1776.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

well let me just ask you this... would you agree that in some cases obesity in children is a form or, or a direct result of neglect? When I look at the definition of criminal neglect I could interpret that as to already include, at the very least, extreme cases of obesity.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[QUOTE=EternalEnigma21;439922]well let me just ask you this... would you agree that in some cases obesity in children is a form or, or a direct result of neglect? When I look at the definition of criminal neglect I could interpret that as to already include, at the very least, extreme cases of obesity.[/QUOTE]

I would certainly agree that allowing a child to become obese can constitute neglect. I also think that parents can neglect children by failing to ensure that they focus on their education. But, I simply do not believe the government should be engaged in dictating how parents should raise their children unless the parenting (or lack thereof) poses an imminent [I]and[/I] grave threat to the physical health of a child.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

I don't mean to poo on the thread topic in any way cuz there has been an intelligent discussion as a result, but I have to seriously question the premise that the government could do anything. We're a nation of 300+ million spread across an enormous landmass. How will authorities realistically monitor child obesity - not to mention force consequences? Not to change topics but I think an example could make the point clearer. Abortion, despite the conventional wisdom, was common before Roe v. Wade. Hundreds of thousands of women were admitted to hospitals each year for abortions performed in the black market. So the point is that making something illegal doesn't accomplish anything unless the state (meaning government) is going to be invasive enough to monitor and deter. This even has a name: Police State. Most of us never want to live in one.

As to child obesity, maybe we could start by revamping school lunch programs across the country. When I lived in Europe I noticed how much better school lunches are. There's no excuse for feeding crap to kids IMO.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

SGG -- the difference is a child is responsible for his own grades, and the parent is responsible for feeding that child.

You guys are pulling out tons of scenarios about the absolute poorest of the poor in this country. Schneed -- how many obese children live off the dollar menu. I'm willing to bet very few, because a double cheeseburger and fries doesn't come close to satisfying their appetite.

Yes, eating healthy can be expensive, but you can eat well for very cheap. Buy some rice, chicken, and cream of mushroom soup, you have a quick and easy dish that will feed 4-5 for roughly 10 bucks. I could pull out 20-30 recipes off the top of my head like that, because I ate them as a child. As I said in either the original or early post, exceptions will be made for those children with some sort of disorder. That's obvious.

I agree with others that education is key, but for parents that don't care, action should be taken. I'm not talking about little Timmy that has to shop in the husky section. I'm talking about 14 year olds weighing 200 lbs. It's more than just health issues, those kids are excluded from many social events, sporting events, typically have extremely low self-esteem, and it's the parents fault.

I know plenty of people that are either currently quite poor or were at one time poor with children. A man I used to work with would tell me how he would go for four days without eating to make sure his kids and wife had a meal. He told me people in his same situation would hit up McDonalds, but he saved money by going to the grocery store and keeping the price down.

Yes, fresh fruits and veggies will run high, but you can get bags of frozen vegetables which may not be quite as good but are certainly better than McDonalds for .99 cents a bag. Your argument that people are too poor to spend the money laid out above for food or too busy is a poor one. That makes me favor population control in this country. If you can't take the time to feed your children, then you don't deserve to have them.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=The Goat;439974]I don't mean to poo on the thread topic in any way cuz there has been an intelligent discussion as a result, but I have to seriously question the premise that the government could do anything. We're a nation of 300+ million spread across an enormous landmass. How will authorities realistically monitor child obesity - not to mention force consequences? Not to change topics but I think an example could make the point clearer. Abortion, despite the conventional wisdom, was common before Roe v. Wade. Hundreds of thousands of women were admitted to hospitals each year for abortions performed in the black market. So the point is that making something illegal doesn't accomplish anything unless the state (meaning government) is going to be invasive enough to monitor and deter. This even has a name: Police State. Most of us never want to live in one.

A[B]s to child obesity, maybe we could start by revamping school lunch programs across the country. When I lived in Europe I noticed how much better school lunches are. There's no excuse for feeding crap to kids IMO.[/B][/quote]

Good points.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Daseal;439978]SGG -- the difference is a child is responsible for his own grades, and the parent is responsible for feeding that child.

You guys are pulling out tons of scenarios about the absolute poorest of the poor in this country. Schneed -- how many obese children live off the dollar menu. I'm willing to bet very few, because a double cheeseburger and fries doesn't come close to satisfying their appetite.

Yes, eating healthy can be expensive, but you can eat well for very cheap. Buy some rice, chicken, and cream of mushroom soup, you have a quick and easy dish that will feed 4-5 for roughly 10 bucks. I could pull out 20-30 recipes off the top of my head like that, because I ate them as a child. As I said in either the original or early post, exceptions will be made for those children with some sort of disorder. That's obvious.

I agree with others that education is key, but for parents that don't care, action should be taken. I'm not talking about little Timmy that has to shop in the husky section. I'm talking about 14 year olds weighing 200 lbs. It's more than just health issues, those kids are excluded from many social events, sporting events, typically have extremely low self-esteem, and it's the parents fault.

I know plenty of people that are either currently quite poor or were at one time poor with children. A man I used to work with would tell me how he would go for four days without eating to make sure his kids and wife had a meal. He told me people in his same situation would hit up McDonalds, but he saved money by going to the grocery store and keeping the price down.

Yes, fresh fruits and veggies will run high, but you can get bags of frozen vegetables which may not be quite as good but are certainly better than McDonalds for .99 cents a bag. Your argument that people are too poor to spend the money laid out above for food or too busy is a poor one. That makes me favor population control in this country. If you can't take the time to feed your children, then you don't deserve to have them.[/quote]
I do agree that a child is resonsible for their grades but if the parents do not give them structure and make sure they are doing their home work most kids will not do what they are suppose to do. That is the biggest problem with the school system today is that to many parents don't care. A good example is that my oldest daughter while living with her mother (not my choice our worthless couts decision after she had lived with me for 6 years) grades dropped while living with her mother. After her mother decided that raising a child was not that much fun my daughter moved back in with my wife and I. It took about 6 months to break her of some bad habits and lack of caring and she went from just getting by to making A's & B's. She is now in college and doing very well. If she had stayed with her mother there's a very good chance she would have never gone to college and not cared about her grades.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

Firstdown -- The parents absolutely have a huge role in a child's education. I also think quality of teacher makes a big difference. You are 100% correct that parents are required to oversee the education to build good study habits, but for 8 hours a day (or however long school is) they can't be there enforcing those rules when it matters.

I must admit, my high school grades weren't great. However, once I got into college my grades went up significantly. Part of it was I worked for a bit and matured some. It also was college was far more interesting to me and it wasn't so freaking boring. I see the two issues as similar but different. Kids can change their grades, they have a much more difficult time changing their diet.

Can we all agree that McDonalds, Burger King, etc should be taken out of school cafeterias?

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Daseal;440025]Firstdown -- The parents absolutely have a huge role in a child's education. I also think quality of teacher makes a big difference. You are 100% correct that parents are required to oversee the education to build good study habits, but for 8 hours a day (or however long school is) they can't be there enforcing those rules when it matters.

I must admit, my high school grades weren't great. However, once I got into college my grades went up significantly. Part of it was I worked for a bit and matured some. It also was college was far more interesting to me and it wasn't so freaking boring. I see the two issues as similar but different. Kids can change their grades, they have a much more difficult time changing their diet.

[B]Can we all agree that McDonalds, Burger King, etc should be taken out of school cafeterias[/B]?[/quote]

Oh yeah, a big hell yes to that one. Food like that has no business being eaten on a regular basis, let alone in the middle of a school day.

If that stuff ever makes it into my school district I swear I'll lead a ferocious assault on the school board (likely involving torches and wooden bats, angry-mob style) to take it out.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

Would you say all restaurants in general have no place in the schools?

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;440032]Would you say all restaurants in general have no place in the schools?[/quote]

Yeah, because I think the school cafeteria needs to be in charge of all food distribution to the kids. The school cafeteria workers work for the school district, and thus ultimately answer to the superintendant and school board, which ultimately answers to the township residents.

If you outsource food distribution to a restaurant then you can lose control over what gets served, depending on the nature of the contract entered into by the school district and the restaurant.

I'd like to see the school cafeteria completely in charge, and serving plenty of healthy options. Luckily that's currently the case in my school district.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

I was one of the few Americans that watched Shaq's Big Challenge on TV last year. Tyler Florence (celeb chef) came in and took over a school cafeteria for a few weeks. He had to keep his budget under $1 per plate and still serve a healthy meal. At first he got carried away, putting way too much time into prepping it (he was trying to hand wrap like 250 chicken caesar salad wraps in 20 minutes). But eventually he came up with a number of efficient and simple solutions that were pretty healthy, and actually looked pretty darn good. Healthy food in schools can be done, it doesn't have to be cheeseburgers or fried chicken patties all the time.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Schneed10;440036]Yeah, because I think the school cafeteria needs to be in charge of all food distribution to the kids. The school cafeteria workers work for the school district, and thus ultimately answer to the superintendant and school board, which ultimately answers to the township residents.

If you outsource food distribution to a restaurant then you can lose control over what gets served, depending on the nature of the contract entered into by the school district and the restaurant.

I'd like to see the school cafeteria completely in charge, and serving plenty of healthy options. Luckily that's currently the case in my school district.[/quote]

Just curious because a lot of people have no problem getting rid of the McDonalds and Burger Kings, but if they were to offer "home made" options for burgers and pizza, no one would have a problem.

Making sure you're giving corporate America it's due. ;)

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;440043]Just curious because a lot of people have no problem getting rid of the McDonalds and Burger Kings, but if they were to offer "home made" options for burgers and pizza, no one would have a problem.

Making sure you're giving corporate America it's due. ;)[/quote]

Yeah those people would be silly. Pizza is pizza, burgers are burgers. It's unhealthy no matter how you cut it.

It's all about who I have the ability to yell at if they don't do what I want.

LOL

Funny but true. If my school cafeteria served nothing but pizza and cheeseburgers, I could complain to the school board and if I got my community riled up enough, the school board would want to shut us up and they could easily direct the cafeteria to make the change. But if it's Pizza Hut serving the pizza, it's a hell of a lot harder to go yell at my school board to convince them to break the relationship with Pizza Hut (may be financial ramifications of breaking contract, the school would need to plan for alternative food providers, etc.).

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

I think that the public schools are now starting to realise that offering a more balanced lunch is not that hard to do but lets be real thats only on meal. I would say its what the children are eating before and after school which is probably more of the issue. Also the lack of exercise plays a bigger part than what they are eating everyday. I know when I was A kid when we got home we bolted to play out side until we where forced by our parents to come in and eat dinner and do our homework. That is another issue is the lack of having two parents raising their children. I just read yesterday that single family parents are costinfg this country like 100 billion per year because of the strains that they put on our social programs. I guess if you look at the big picture the lack of family structure is putting a strain on everyone.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Schneed10;440044]Yeah those people would be silly. [B]Pizza is pizza, burgers are burgers. It's unhealthy no matter how you cut it.[/B]

It's all about who I have the ability to yell at if they don't do what I want.

LOL

Funny but true. If my school cafeteria served nothing but pizza and cheeseburgers, I could complain to the school board and if I got my community riled up enough, the school board would want to shut us up and they could easily direct the cafeteria to make the change. But if it's Pizza Hut serving the pizza, it's a hell of a lot harder to go yell at my school board to convince them to break the relationship with Pizza Hut (may be financial ramifications of breaking contract, the school would need to plan for alternative food providers, etc.).[/quote]

That is not true. My mom makes very healthy pizza. The sauce is made from scratch with very little salt and garlic as a substitute. Dough is made as well, with limited salt and oils. The the cheese used is fresh, and very limited. Only toppings are veggies and lean grilled chicken. Of course a salad is better, but it is pretty damn healthy pizza.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

yeah I make a pizza on the grill with whole wheat crust, olive oil, scarcely scattered goat and feta cheeses, fresh tomatoes, baby spinach, pine nuts, garlic, and mushrooms. It's really good and not bad for you at all.

not saying that the school could justifiably do that, but there are ideas out there.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=EternalEnigma21;440096]

not saying that the school could justifiably do that, but there are ideas out there.[/quote]

Yeah that's my thing.

Hoo, that pizza sounds good, please tell your mom to invite me over... again. (ZING!)

LOL

But seriously, schools aren't going to do that. But if they do, that pizza would pass the test. One thing's for sure though... Pizza Hut will NOT do that!

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

I think it must have been discussed here but I missed it, but has the topic of a "fat tax" been brought up here?

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

on fat food or people?

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;440222]I think it must have been discussed here but I missed it, but has the topic of a "fat tax" been brought up here?[/QUOTE]

Whole thread on it:
[url]http://www.redskinswarpath.com/parking-lot/20352-fat-tax-what-next-big-brother.html[/url]

As for this thread, I do not think the government should have the right to intrude upon anyone's privacy b/c they have fat children.

My concern is that to create a situation where having an obese child is prima facia evidence of criminal behavior would seem to me to give the government probable cause to search and seize anything relating to the child's obesity. IMO,the causes of childhood obesity are far too wide-ranging to create the legal assumption that a fat child equals abusive parenting.

I think there are sufficient laws on the books to punish those who are abusive to children both directly and indirectly. While childhood obesity is a problem that costs us millions of dollars in unseen expenses, they are costs I am willing to pay to keep the cops and DSS out of my house just b/c junior is on a Whopper binge.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

I like the idea of a fat tax, in concept. If you eat more fast food, you're more likely to need medical care, and you're most likely to need it when you're 65 and on Medicare (heart trouble), which the government pays for with our tax dollars. So if you're more likely to make use of the government's healthcare plan, you should be paying more to the government.

But now that food prices are skyrocketing, it's impractical to impose that tax. With food prices going up, people without means are going to work even harder to keep their food costs down, and rely even more on McDonald's and such. Taxing them on top of it would probably break the camel's back.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

That whole last page of discussion sums up exactly why my children take their own lunch to school. They buy occasionally but they pretty much "brown bag it" every day. The irony is that my children are the ones who told me that they would rather pack a lunch than buy that junk. In my day we loved it when we could get pizza and burgers in school. This newer generation is obviously learning from our mistakes. Tear.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Schneed10;440275]I like the idea of a fat tax, in concept. If you eat more fast food, you're more likely to need medical care, and you're most likely to need it when you're 65 and on Medicare (heart trouble), which the government pays for with our tax dollars. So if you're more likely to make use of the government's healthcare plan, you should be paying more to the government.

But now that food prices are skyrocketing, it's impractical to impose that tax. With food prices going up, people without means are going to work even harder to keep their food costs down, and rely even more on McDonald's and such. Taxing them on top of it would probably break the camel's back.[/quote]
Well lets tax skinny people who eat high fat food and have high colestoral, smokers (they are allready taxed), drinkers, etc... we could go on and on. How about people who do risky sports like sky diving? If they die their family receives SS from them or if they become disabled they qualify for several social programs. I'd say fat people are less likely to draw off our system because they die before age 65. Think about it how many older fat people do you see out and about. I can't think of any really older people who are real fat.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;440275]I like the idea of a fat tax, in concept. If you eat more fast food, you're more likely to need medical care, and you're most likely to need it when you're 65 and on Medicare (heart trouble), which the government pays for with our tax dollars. So if you're more likely to make use of the government's healthcare plan, you should be paying more to the government.[/QUOTE]

I don't know whether those who live unhealthy lives actually end up costing taxpayers more than those who live healthy lives. The people who exercise, eat right and who don't drink or smoke are likely to live longer lives than those who do not and, therefore, put a bigger strain on our Social Security Systems. Moreover, it might be less costly for someone to suffer mild health problems and die of a Big Mac-induced heart attack at 60, than live to be 95 and encounter many of the ailments that tend to affect the elderly.

I'd like to see some independent studies conducted into these kinds of economic issues. I read one a few years back that indicated that smokers actually SAVE taxpayers money by dying young. I have no problem with the government taxing goods that are costly to taxpayers. I have a serious problem with the government taxing goods that are unpopular and unhealthy (e.g., cigs) but end up saving taxpayers money. Why the hell should the government encourage me to live a certain life (e.g., by taxing and not taxing goods) if the net impact of my lifetsyle doesn't adversely affect society?

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;440327]I don't know whether those who live unhealthy lives actually end up costing taxpayers more than those who live healthy lives. The people who exercise, eat right and who don't drink or smoke are likely to live longer lives than those who do not and, therefore, put a bigger strain on our Social Security Systems. Moreover, it might be less costly for someone to suffer mild health problems and die of a Big Mac-induced heart attack at 60, than live to be 95 and encounter many of the ailments that tend to affect the elderly.

I'd like to see some independent studies conducted into these kinds of economic issues. I read one a few years back that indicated that smokers actually SAVE taxpayers money by dying young. I have no problem with the government taxing goods that are costly to taxpayers. I have a serious problem with the government taxing goods that are unpopular and unhealthy (e.g., cigs) but end up saving taxpayers money. Why the hell should the government encourage me to live a certain life (e.g., by taxing and not taxing goods) if the net impact of my lifetsyle doesn't adversely affect society?[/quote]

I sell insurance and we do sell life ins. If someone is over weight, smokes, etc... they charge a higher premium because their tables say that they will die at an earlier age. They have the numbers and can tell you if they write 1,000 policies for a healthy male age 35 they can tell you how many of them will die over the years. So they could say that in the first year ___ amount will die year two ____ amount will die etc... They know the numbers thats how they develop the rates. So if they charge a higher rate because they die earlier in life then we could assume they they are less of a cost to SS and other programs. My grandmother lived until age 97 and she cost the tax payers a bunch but she lived a pretty healthy life.

Re: Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?
 

There has been talk of a "fat tax" in this thread. New Jersey lawmakers are considering something similar, with proceeds of the tax possibly benefiting hospitals. They're calling it a "sin" tax.

[url=http://wcbstv.com/local/fast.food.tax.2.712510.html]wcbstv.com - New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food[/url]