Comments on: What Do You Think? Fat Tax http://www.fitlifesf.com/2008/08/what-do-you-think-fat-tax/ Fitness for Real Life... Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:13:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Karen http://www.fitlifesf.com/2008/08/what-do-you-think-fat-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-673 Karen Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:10:37 +0000 http://www.fitlifesf.com/?p=227#comment-673 I'm leery of "sin taxes" like this because I really don't think the science is in. Unlike cigarette smoking, there's no medical consensus about whether someone with a lower BMI is necessarily more healthy. For example, a coworker of mine who is in great shape had to go on lipid-lowering drugs because her genes give her high cholesterol and high risk for heart disease; I, on the other hand, have great cholesterol levels, healthy blood pressure, and generally good genes despite my fat ass. Which one of us would be fined? Which one of us will cost the health care system more? There are just too many variables. I’m leery of “sin taxes” like this because I really don’t think the science is in. Unlike cigarette smoking, there’s no medical consensus about whether someone with a lower BMI is necessarily more healthy. For example, a coworker of mine who is in great shape had to go on lipid-lowering drugs because her genes give her high cholesterol and high risk for heart disease; I, on the other hand, have great cholesterol levels, healthy blood pressure, and generally good genes despite my fat ass. Which one of us would be fined? Which one of us will cost the health care system more? There are just too many variables.

]]> By: Rob T http://www.fitlifesf.com/2008/08/what-do-you-think-fat-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-450 Rob T Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:08:39 +0000 http://www.fitlifesf.com/?p=227#comment-450 I think this is a good start as Alabama is one of the fattests states in the union. Sure people have the right to be in whatever shape they want. BUT, if you are so obese that you are incuring medical costs for issues that you would not have if you were even at an average weight, then tax away. (ie, weight induced diabetes, knee problems, heart problems...) And one more thing. If you are so big that you can't fit in a single airplane seat, you should not be let on the damn plane if you don't buy the seat next to it. If you "choose" to be large then you should have to deal with the consequences. If this is not a choice, if it is a condition, as long as you are being treated and working to improve your condition well, then the tax should be waived. If you are a twinkie eating ice cream glutton, get out your check book and get to paying! I think this is a good start as Alabama is one of the fattests states in the union. Sure people have the right to be in whatever shape they want. BUT, if you are so obese that you are incuring medical costs for issues that you would not have if you were even at an average weight, then tax away. (ie, weight induced diabetes, knee problems, heart problems…)

And one more thing. If you are so big that you can’t fit in a single airplane seat, you should not be let on the damn plane if you don’t buy the seat next to it.

If you “choose” to be large then you should have to deal with the consequences. If this is not a choice, if it is a condition, as long as you are being treated and working to improve your condition well, then the tax should be waived.

If you are a twinkie eating ice cream glutton, get out your check book and get to paying!

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