Soda Ban NYC - Research Paper Example

Soda Ban NYC Obesity in America is a national critical issue. However, there are areas is America more affected than others. Such areas include New York City. Previous studies reveal that people who fall under categories such as, poverty stricken undereducated or minority groups are worst hit by obesity. It is, therefore, no surprise that the boroughs such as Brooklyn, Manhattan and Bronx have devastating rates of obesity (Hu). In Bronx alone, where the population is a bit over 1.4 million, 70% of adults are overweight.

Health officials postulate that one in every three adults, in Bronx, is obese. It is in the wake of this situation that the Mayor of New York decided to undertake yet another step to help the citizenry cut back on its damaging lifestyle, reduce soda intake.This move comes at a time when three crucial issues loom over the city. The first one is that previous methods to address obesity yield minimal positive outcomes. In the past, the mayor has implemented a few notable policies. Restaurants indicate on the menu the amount of calories in each meal, but people still order big Mac’s.

A ghastly depiction of the dangers of smoking did nothing to reduce the smoking rates (Hu). Stores started stocking low fat milk and replaced white bread with whole meal bread, but there is little to report in regard to positive results. As such, new more aggressive methods beckon, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg is taking the bull by its horns. Secondly, the health of the population is at its worst compared to a decade ago. The connection between the high rates of weight gain and the lifestyle of the people is not questionable.

Shockingly one of the lifestyles people choose is the high calorie giant sodas! It is shocking because people have alternative, healthy beverages, but they still prefer unhealthy soda. Doctors claim that there is an increase in diabetes, hypertension, and cardio vascular complications related to unhealthy lifestyles and weight gain (Hu). These complications are responsible for a significant portion of mortality among Americans. Sadly, even young children are catching on with the new trend of diseases previously thought to affect only adults.

Doctor Dr. Steven M. Safyer is clear on the fact that consuming too many calories in the absence of exercise is a sure way of adding not just weight but excess weight. Thirdly, the cost of health care is spiking, and the amount of money spent on these health complications is crippling. Currently, over 20% of national medical spending is for addressing obesity and related health issues (Hu). Childhood obesity alone consumes a whooping 14.1 billion a year not counting the indirect costs. Studies show that compared to a healthy adult, overweight and obese adults spend over 30% more on health care annually.

Reduction of obesity is particularly crucial for Americans from a social and economic perspective. The nation needs to cut down on healthcare spending. It is evident that reducing obesity related health complications will do so significantly. Secondly, in the wake of the hard economic times, Americans need to be more productive than ever (Hu). However, they will fall short of this expectation with increasing number of disability that lead to low productivity primarily associated with obesity. A combination of anti obesity programs inclusive of the soda ban will go a long way in curbing the obesity pandemic (Hu).

Works CitedHu, Winnie. "Obesity Ills That Won’t Budge Fuel Soda Battle by Bloomberg." The New York Times 11 June 2012. n.d. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/nyregion/persistent-obesity-fuels-soda-ban-by-bloomberg.html?pagewanted=all