0 A Junk Food Tax Reasonable Public Health Measure or Evidence of a Nanny State

By now, you might have heard about the “junk food tax” or “fat tax.” No doubt, you’ve read a few articles and thought, “This is a wonderful idea!” or “Man, what are these people smoking?” At a potluck this past weekend, a few friends debated the notion, and reactions seemed to mirror those sentiments.

If you haven’t heard of the junk food tax, the idea is this: to help curb obesity, the government would add a tariff on to unhealthy foods, such as soda and pizza. While no concrete legislation has been passed (as far as I’m aware), the specter of the tax has ignited some debate. Will it really help our weight problems? Is it fair to tax people who can’t afford healthy food? Aren’t we capable of choosing what we eat? Where would it end?

I’m of two minds on this.

• When I consider the overall health of the nation, taxing junk food seems like a decent idea. Though education would ultimately be the best way of solving our obesity problem, it will take awhile. A tariff, on the other hand, is an immediate solution, and according to a recent study, might be more effective than subsidizing produce. Not to mention, the extra funds raised by the tax could go toward programs encouraging healthier behaviors. We tax booze and cigarettes, so why not junk food?

• When I consider me – just me – my answer is very, very different. I can control my own intake, and don’t think I should be punished financially for wanting the occasional Pepperidge Farm Mint Milano (a.k.a. What Cookies Must Be Like in Heaven).

I’m curious as to your opinions, though, sweet readers, and would love to read your thoughts. Based on the arguments, I’ll compose a piece for next week outlining the good and bad points of the idea in more depth, as well as the readers’ general consensus.

The comment section is open: What’s your opinion of a potential junk food tax?

(Needless to say, please keep it civil.)

0 How to Measure Waist Circumference

How to Measure Waist Circumference | Abdominal fat is the most dangerous fat. Fat in the abdomen is going to release free fatty acids and dozens of hormones that would cause various problems such as rising blood pressure, insulin resistance, and many other problems are quite weight like heart disease and stroke.

Because of that, you deserve to be vigilant and diligent in keeping a slim waistline remains. Due to the already described this logic, it means greater waist circumference, you risk getting sick.

Waist circumference that is safe for men, less than 90 cm, while the women, less than 80 cm. More than that number, it means your stomach excess fat. That could be a warning that you are at high risk of a disease and type-2 diabetes, uncontrolled high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Heres how to properly measure waist circumference:

1. Preparation
Use a tape measure commonly used to make clothes. Remove the T-shirt and free up the waist of a skirt or trousers so that the center of the abdomen exposed. Stand in front of a mirror if possible so you can properly measure waist circumference.

2. Find the right spot
Tap your fingers on the trunk near the right hip. Tap your fingers on the skin to find the bones of the pelvic floor. Continue to press and move your finger along the edge of the hip bone until you find the curvature of the bone. The highest point will be located on the side of the torso, just a bit at the bottom of the ribs. This spot is near or at the same level with your navel.

3. Wrap the tape measure
Position the tape measure horizontally at the spot above the hip bone. Then wrap around the stomach and entire torso. Make sure the tape measure horizontally across it. Place the tip of the meter number 0 in the spot while the rest is wrapped around the abdomen and torso.

4. Measuring
Do not shrink the stomach. Stand up straight and exhale gently as you measure the stomach. Make sure also that it does not suppress the tape measure abdominal skin. Look at the numbers where the numbers 0 to meet the latest figures waist. Thats the size of your waist.

source: Kompas