Should Thailand tax junk food to help fight obesity?

[David48]

People should be aware that the most potentially effective measures are focused on prevention. The already obese are mostly stuck that way for life. Obesity specialists know this.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

totally agree... prevention is best... sterilize fat women so they can't pass on their weak metabolism genes, or torture their kids to death with happy meals

Genetics is usually not the dominant factor in obesity being passed to new generations. Cultural factors more like it. But oddly you've got a sick point that fat parents are more likely to raise fat kids. That's real.

There is a diverse scientific opinion on that JT

Obese Dads Pass On Predisposition to Obesity and Metabolic Disorders to Their Kids

July 11, 2013 — If you are obese and hope to be a father, here's another reason to lose weight: your children and grandchildren may inherit your waistline or metabolic disorders.

Here

[Jingthing]

OK, but the point is before massive changes of modernity in Thailand, Thais were rarely obese. Now they are more commonly obese. The same gene pool.

[David48]

OK, but the point is before massive changes of modernity in Thailand, Thais were rarely obese. Now they are more commonly obese. The same gene pool.

... and a fair point also.

Maybe in a similar fashion to Japan, increased protein intake and adoption, in a small part, of a Western style diet made them taller and wider.

But I don't give any credence to the 'White Rice makes me Fat' theory though.

[krisb]

In the UK the healthiest time for folk was during WW2. Food was rationed. Answers a lot of questions for me.

and you've got a problem with government regulation? Goodness.

Rationing food was one of the dumbest decisions ever done post war. It constrained the proper functioning of markets and only led to black markets etc etc.

Stalin and Mao managed to torpedo their economies too, shall we copy their policies so we can beat this obesity thing without any taxes?

People accuse me of being a frigging socialist, which is funny cause I'm probably to the more to right of the economic spectrum than most of you blokes here.

As I've said repeatedly, most of you fella's have problems with government, unless it is government which you can benefit off.

As I've said repeatedly, most of you fella's have problems with government, unless it is government which you can benefit off.

Your dead right there. Just as they also have a problem if they can't benefit off me, it kind of works both ways.

Taxing junkfood sounds like putting a GST into action. People moaned and groaned here in Australia about this tax on everything inc junk food until finally they forgot about it and kept buying their beloved greasy boxes of fried chicken so the tax did not deter for long if at all. Most Thais I know can't afford too much junk food or actually don't like it.

[Jingthing]

On white rice, it's like anything else. Every little bit or big bit helps or hurts depending. If Thais magically switched to brown rice, which of course, they won't it would be one helpful factor for obesity prevention. Personally I prefer the taste of white rice too but IF brown was actually offered at restaurants here, I would order it. But it isn't. For many Thais to order it, it would not only have to be on the menu but MUCH cheaper. Many wouldn't take it if it was FREE much like Italians rejected American pasta food aid after World War II! The cultural preference for white rice is just too strong. Not sure that one can really be addressed.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Jingthing

[transam]

UK rationing was introduced cos there was not enough food to go around. Nooooooooooothing to do with with the gov being intrusive, just plain practicality. And guess what, the populous became fit.

[Jingthing]

UK rationing was introduced cos there was not enough food to go around. Nooooooooooothing to do with with the gov being intrusive, just plain practicality. And guess what, the populous became fit.

In any case no government is going to do that short of a famine or wartime, so it's only of academic interest.

[transam]

UK rationing was introduced cos there was not enough food to go around. Nooooooooooothing to do with with the gov being intrusive, just plain practicality. And guess what, the populous became fit.

In any case no government is going to do that short of a famine or wartime, so it's only of academic interest.

No, it's about cash..............If folk have cash, they will eat what ever they want. End of story.....

[Jingthing]

UK rationing was introduced cos there was not enough food to go around. Nooooooooooothing to do with with the gov being intrusive, just plain practicality. And guess what, the populous became fit.

In any case no government is going to do that short of a famine or wartime, so it's only of academic interest.

No, it's about cash..............If folk have cash, they will eat what ever they want. End of story.....

It's not that simple really. In the USA for example the cheapest foods are usually the crappiest foods. It's not only about cost but the quality of the food regardless of the the cost.

[transam]

UK rationing was introduced cos there was not enough food to go around. Nooooooooooothing to do with with the gov being intrusive, just plain practicality. And guess what, the populous became fit.

In any case no government is going to do that short of a famine or wartime, so it's only of academic interest.

No, it's about cash..............If folk have cash, they will eat what ever they want. End of story.....

It's not that simple really. In the USA for example the cheapest foods are usually the crappiest foods. It's not only about cost but the quality of the food regardless of the the cost.

Are we not talking about LOS ?...........

[Jingthing]

Are we not talking about LOS ?...........

Yes but don't many poor Thais eat out of 7-11s? I reckon that is an obesity promoting food source.

[transam]

Are we not talking about LOS ?...........

Yes but don't many poor Thais eat out of 7-11s? I reckon that is an obesity promoting food source.

I don't think so. Where I am 7-11 is toooooooooooo expensive for the locals. food wise that is. Noodles, condoms, phone top ups, yes, but crap food, nooooo. Except, for those with cash...

[Jingthing]

I don't agree about 7-11. Believe what you like.

Anyway, just so you know, you can find many sources linking the brown bread of World War II England to better health:

http://www.sott.net/article/230772-Is-your-bread-making-you-ill-100-years-after-the-Daily-Mail-campaigned-to-improve-the-British-loaf-how-todays-version-is-just-as-bad

During World War II, however, white bread was banned entirely. As a result, the nation was said to be healthier in 1947, after eight years of brown bread and rationing, than it was in 1939.

[mogandave]

UK rationing was introduced cos there was not enough food to go around. Nooooooooooothing to do with with the gov being intrusive, just plain practicality. And guess what, the populous became fit.

In any case no government is going to do that short of a famine or wartime, so it's only of academic interest.

No, it's about cash..............If folk have cash, they will eat what ever they want. End of story.....

It's not that simple really. In the USA for example the cheapest foods are usually the crappiest foods. It's not only about cost but the quality of the food regardless of the the cost.

Claiming the cheapest foods in the US are the "crappiest" is simply not true.Quit making stuff up and stating it as fact.

[connda]

I like the poll. It gives me a relative measure of the proportion of liberals to conservatives (to apathetic) in the Thai Visa community. Now if the 'Nanny State supporters" could just obtain citizenship and get voted into parlament, you could make that tax come to fruition. Best of luck on that.

[Jingthing]

Claiming the cheapest foods in the US are the "crappiest" is simply not true.Quit making stuff up and stating it as fact.

Are you for real?

Let's look at corn flakes in the USA, a staple food.

Price a box of highly processed sugary flakes (cheap) vs. a box or organic non-sugar flakes (expensive).

Restaurant example, McDonalds, cheap by U.S. standards and super processed bad for you vs. a real restaurant that cooks actual whole foods (expensive).

Yes American are often forced to eat out at "restaurants" because of either their lifestyle or lack of a kitchen.

Thousands of examples like that.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

I like the poll. It gives me a relative measure of the proportion of liberals to conservatives (to apathetic) in the Thai Visa community. Now if the 'Nanny State supporters" could just obtain citizenship and get voted into parlament, you could make that tax come to fruition. Best of luck on that.

To be fair, I truly hope people have picked up on my REVISION of the intention of the poll. It really should be about support or non support for ANY kind of government regulation that might work in stemming the growth of the Thai obesity epidemic. Not only taxation, also ideas like banning transfats, clear labeling laws, etc.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Jingthing

[connda]

Are we not talking about LOS ?...........

Yes but don't many poor Thais eat out of 7-11s? I reckon that is an obesity promoting food source.

The nearest 7/11 to our village is over 30KM away. Not much of a change that the poor folk are flocking there to get junk food that would cost them half a day's salary or more. Hummmm. I don't think so. There's plenty of local, home made kanom to be had for a fraction of the price, but I still don't see many fat kids unless mom and dad are pretty well to do and mobile. Then they bring it in from outside.

Edited January 2, 2014 by connda

[Jingthing]

You're in the sticks. Fine. Thailand has become much more urbanized and no doubt this is linked to obesity.

[transam]

You're in the sticks. Fine. Thailand has become much more urbanized and no doubt this is linked to obesity.

, total rolox.....

[mogandave]

Claiming the cheapest foods in the US are the "crappiest" is simply not true.Quit making stuff up and stating it as fact.

Are you for real?

Let's look at corn flakes in the USA, a staple food.

Price a box of highly processed sugary flakes (cheap) vs. a box or organic non-sugar flakes (expensive)

Thousands of examples like that.

Okay, compare cornflakes to oatmeal. Oatmeal is cheaper and healthier.

Thousands of examples like that.

Actually, you and buy and eat whole corn on the cob cheaper than you can eat cornflakes, even though the price has been driven up by the nut-sacks in government that think ethanol is good for the environment.

Just because YOU are locked into fast food, heat & eat and packaged foods, does not mean you can't eat healthy on the cheap in the US.

[Jingthing]

You're in the sticks. Fine. Thailand has become much more urbanized and no doubt this is linked to obesity.

, total rolox.....

Is it really?

Are you just here to harass me and disagree with me just for the sake of being argumentative, or do you really care about these issues? I do wonder.

Historically, a few processes of change have occurred simultaneously with or precede the "nutrition transition." The first process is demographic transition, which is defined as the "shift from a pattern of high fertility and mortality to one of low fertility and mortality (typical of modern industrialized countries)" (Popkin & Gordon-Larsen, 2004, p. 152). Next, a country undergoes rapid socio-economic development accompanied by increased urbanization and Westernization (Kosulwat, 2002). Finally, an epidemiological transition occurs, which was first described by Omran (1971) as "the shift from a pattern of high prevalence of infectious disease associated with malnutrition, periodic famine, and poor environmental sanitation--to one of high prevalence of chronic degenerative disease--associated with urban-industrial lifestyles" (pp. 736-737). The nutrition transition is thought to be closely connected to these changes; thus, the diets of modern societies are high in saturated fats and refined sugars but low in fiber; this reflects more of an increase in a "Western Diet." Moreover, the lifestyle of these countries is characterized by lower levels of activity. These changes in diet have had a negative effect on average stature, body composition, and morbidity (Popkin & Gordon-Larsen, 2004).

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-271511926.html

[mogandave]

You're in the sticks. Fine. Thailand has become much more urbanized and no doubt this is linked to obesity.

I thought it was the rice (not urbanization) that was making them all fat, and that taxing the rice was going to have a significant effect on reducing obesity.

I guess you were making that up as well huh?

[Jingthing]

You're in the sticks. Fine. Thailand has become much more urbanized and no doubt this is linked to obesity.

I thought it was the rice (not urbanization) that was making them all fat, and that taxing the rice was going to have a significant effect on reducing obesity.

I guess you were making that up as well huh?

I never said that only rice policies would be a magic bullet here. In fact, I have said the opposite, I don't think it is really possible to change Thai taste for white rice. Who is making stuff up here, you or me? Please desist with your personal attack campaign and focus on the actual topic, Kay?

Edited January 2, 2014 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Claiming the cheapest foods in the US are the "crappiest" is simply not true.Quit making stuff up and stating it as fact.

Are you for real?

Let's look at corn flakes in the USA, a staple food.

Price a box of highly processed sugary flakes (cheap) vs. a box or organic non-sugar flakes (expensive)

Thousands of examples like that.

Okay, compare cornflakes to oatmeal. Oatmeal is cheaper and healthier.

Thousands of examples like that.

Actually, you and buy and eat whole corn on the cob cheaper than you can eat cornflakes, even though the price has been driven up by the nut-sacks in government that think ethanol is good for the environment.

Just because YOU are locked into fast food, heat & eat and packaged foods, does not mean you can't eat healthy on the cheap in the US.

You're right about oatmeal. But I'm right that the U.S. food industry in general finds tricky ways to charge more for the healthier food options and offers crappy processed stuff cheaply. Similar things are happening in Thailand. People get hungry, they want to eat, the tricks of the food industry work very well on the masses.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Jingthing

[connda]

For those who beieve that government should involve themselves in the personal lifes of it's citizens, specifically in regards to the food you eat:

Question: If you are fit, slim, and athletic, was it your government that made you that way, or was it personal motivation and will power?

Question: If you are overweight, was it your government that made you that way, or was it you who chose to indulge in the foods you enjoy or to not indulge in sufficient exercise?

Question: If you are obese, was it your government that made you that way, or was it your total lack of personal will power to clean up your diet and to adequately exercise? (Exceptions made for the rare minority with medical conditions that cause obesity.)

So, since when is the government responsible for your actions and the consequense thereof. And persoanally, if you believe in regressive taxes, then you can take regressive taxes that disporportionally and negatively impact the poor and disfranchised, and put them where the sun don't shine.

If a government is a reflection of the will of it's people, and the populace considers this a social problem, then prehaps nutritional education starting in schools when kids are old enough to understand what they are being taught in conjuction with mandating that doctors take a minimum amount of credits in nutrtional education, and promote nutritional counseling in government hospitals might be a solution. That's where government might be effective in changing eating patterns.

[connda]

Claiming the cheapest foods in the US are the "crappiest" is simply not true.Quit making stuff up and stating it as fact.

Are you for real?

Let's look at corn flakes in the USA, a staple food.

Price a box of highly processed sugary flakes (cheap) vs. a box or organic non-sugar flakes (expensive)

Thousands of examples like that.

Okay, compare cornflakes to oatmeal. Oatmeal is cheaper and healthier.

Thousands of examples like that.

Actually, you and buy and eat whole corn on the cob cheaper than you can eat cornflakes, even though the price has been driven up by the nut-sacks in government that think ethanol is good for the environment.

Just because YOU are locked into fast food, heat & eat and packaged foods, does not mean you can't eat healthy on the cheap in the US.

You're right about oatmeal. But I'm right that the U.S. food industry in general finds tricky ways to charge more for the healthier food options and offers crappy processed stuff cheaply. Similar things are happening in Thailand. People get hungry, they want to eat, the tricks of the food industry work very well on the masses.

the tricks of the food industry work very well on the masses.

Yeah, I love the advertising. Your children should drink this GMO and chemical ladened solution that we developed that will give them bunches of vitimins and minerals, protein, essential fatty oils, etc, etc, etc. Sweet Jesus, what a crock. It's all about the ฿฿฿

If your childrem eat a variety of in-season foods just like grandma and grandpa did, they'll be slim, slender, and healthy. And the food grandma and grandpa ate is still to this day inexpensive, well, unless you insist on shopping in a Westernize supermarket, then they will mark up the price two or three times for ya, but you can afford it, right?

I wouldn't feed that corporate processed junk to my dogs.

Edited January 2, 2014 by connda

[connda]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

Obese people are a burden? They are all potential Darwin Award nominees just waiting to drop out of the gene pool earlier than their slender counterparts.

[Jingthing]

The old "education" mantra.

But what if that doesn't really work?

Then what? Nothing.

To the DOGMATIC ideologically but not rationality driven anti-government action fanatics, nothing is not going to be acceptable in the long run.

Of course I'm in favor of education. But to suggest that education ALONE is going to tackle this problem is extremely questionable and most probably totally wrong.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-obesity/2013/12/27/cd7f5b3a-69c4-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html

We can conquer obesity through better education about diet and nutrition.

According to a physicians’ health study,44 percent of male doctors are overweight. A study by the University of Maryland School of Nursing found that 55 percent of nurses surveyed were overweight or obese. If people who provide health care cannot control their weight, why would nutrition education alone make a difference for others?

Edited January 2, 2014 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Obese people are a burden? They are all potential Darwin Award nominees just waiting to drop out of the gene pool earlier than their slender counterparts.

It often takes years or decades of EXPENSIVE and painful disease processes BEFORE they drop. Duh! Thailand has a nationalized health care system. Not to mention -- the FAMILIES.