Why You Should Lose Weight

There are several reasons why you should lose weight, if you are carrying extra weight, that is.

But if you are overweight, would you consider paying a fat tax? That's right, a fat tax!

In case you think this is a hypothetical question, consider this:

Denmark now imposes a fat tax on any food item that has a saturated fat content higher than 2.3%.

Well meaning, or an attempt to legislate behavior?
How many foods nowadays can pass this test-pizza, margarine, tacos etc.?

If the intent of this legislation is to force or encourage people to lose weight, how about other food items that pack as many pounds on people -items such as refined sugar, refined carbohydrates etc.?

And when you consider the fact that Denmark has one of the lowest obesity rates in the world-9% as opposed to 30% in the United States-you might be pardoned if you regard this
legislation as an over-reach.

A lot of people object to this, and regard it as government intervention in what is essentially a personal choice.

BUT, some people are not impressed with this argument, noting that these people do not object to "government interventions" in clean water regulations, medical care standards, safety standards for automobiles etc.

After all, what this legislation is trying to do is give people a strong reason to be healthy, if ever they need any more convincing.

Being overweight is a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, strokes, erectile dysfunction in men etc.

1. Losing weight makes you healthier.
2. Obesity is a risk factor for dementia. Losing excess weight lowers that risk.
3. Losing weight saves you money-in insurance premiums, food, clothing etc.
4. If you are healthier and are seldom sick, you reduce your medical care cost, you have less sick days off work.
This directly puts more money in your pocket.

But the reason a lot of people-not just people in Denmark-are upset about this directive, is because they fear-and rightly so-that this Danish model might be a blueprint for other countries.

They have not forgotten the European Union's legislation of 2004, that classifies many herbs and supplements as drugs, in essence putting them under prescription by a medical doctor.

Confirming that fear, such legislation has now been introduced in the United States.

But this is not new territory for Denmark.

Since 2004, Denmark has required that all food items have a saturated fat content of no more than 2%.

Denmark also taxes at a higher rate, sodas, cigarettes, ice cream, tobacco, alcohol-a kind of sin tax.

Want to satisfy your sweet tooth? Pay a sin tax at the counter.

The idea is that when people consider the costs of these indulgences, they'll see that it's in their own interest to lose weight.

But even those who are upset about these sin taxes are already paying them, AND they have been paying them for years. They just don't realize it.

For instance, people who smoke or drink excessively pay higher insurance premiums.

In almost all countries, cigarettes, alcohol are taxed at higher rates than all other products-a sin tax.

If you look at the front offices of a lot of companies, you'll find that those who man these offices are slim and trim, especially, if they are females.

It is safe to assume that overweight people have a lower chance of getting this kind of jobs. They are already paying a price for being overweight.

This is the harsh reality.

Not fair?

Maybe not, but the world is not going to change for anyone's convenience.

Being obese can cost you jobs-a fat price.

To further show that this trend may be catching on elsewhere, here is a trend now in San Paulo, Brazil-

Some of the restaurants do not have prices in their menus. You pay according to the weight of your food plate.
All you can eat? Forget it! Not in San Paulo!!

Here is one more reason why we are all likely to be paying this fat tax soon:
Airline round up the average weight of every passenger to 170lb. Any weight above this is considered extra weight.

An aircraft cannot be loaded past a certain weight limit. Carrying overweight people means that the airline will have to carry fewer passengers-this will definitely cut into their profits. At least, that's the argument.

The heavier the take-off weight of the aircraft, the more fuel it consumes.
To minimize their fuel costs, and recoup the cost of carrying fewer passengers, airlines are proposing charging overweight passengers extra fees, according to their degree of obesity.

If the regulators deny them this, the airlines will find a way to levy this fat tax. The only difference will be that this fat tax will be paid, not only by overweight people, but by every body who flies.

This is one more reason why those who are overweight should lose weight, and how it is in every one's interest that they do so?

May be, Denmark is on to something, after all.