Would a Fat Tax Reduce Obesity Levels?

Taxing foods that are high in fat would probably have very little impact on obesity levels, since it is excessive calorie consumption that leads to weight gain and obesity. Foods high in fat generally contain more calories, but individuals can still consume too many calories by eating a healthy diet. If an individual decides to consume large bowls of cereal, many rounds of wholemeal toast, plenty of fruit, and heaps of pasta in a day, it is extremely easy for him to consume more calories than his body requires, especially if he leads a sedentary lifestyle.

It is therefore difficult to see how a fat tax would actually tackle obesity, when to get obesity under control, people have to be more alert to the dangers of being obese, instead of burying their head in the sand and telling themselves they're not really that overweight, meaning their health is unlikely to suffer. Individuals need to be better educated about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, as they can learn what action they need to take so that they will be in a good position to embrace healthier habits that will make weight maintenance possible.

A fat tax simply penalises everyone for choosing foods that contain too much fat, even those who only consume junk food as a treat, which hardly seems fair. Besides, fat should be considered an essential part of a balanced diet. Taxing food because it contains higher levels of fat seems to send out the message that all fats are bad, when, in fact, this is not the case. A fat tax appears to punish those from low-income backgrounds, in particular, as they are generally less well-informed on dietary matters and food may be their only treat.

Higher obesity rates exist amongst those from low-income backgrounds, yet it is hard to see how a fat tax would help the situation. Families may be less able to afford fattening junk food, but if that is their only pleasure in life, they may forgo other necessities to continue eating as they always have done. A fat tax therefore appears to be a waste of time, except as a way of raising tax revenue, which is what politicians live for. They may claim that the money raised will go towards educating people, health provision and support for those aiming to lose weight, but the chances are it won't.

Until people get into the habit of monitoring their calorie intake, altering it so that it reflects their calorie expenditure, obesity isn't going to go away and a fat tax certainly won't change things. People have to take responsibility for their own weight and it is not the responsibility of governments, themselves comprised of politicians who could stand to lose a few pounds, to push people in the 'right' direction through taxation.