The New Diet: Tax and Punish

Disclosure: I have a BS degree in nutrition and have worked as a registered dietitian. I do not currently practice. 
Second disclosure: I do not respond well to being taxed or being punished.

A current target as a cause of obesity is Coke/pop/soft drinks/soda; what we call this beverage in the U.S. is regional. The theory is that if we approach soda as we did cigarettes then we can achieve the same result and decrease the incidence of obesity, particularly in children. Thus, another good intention is met with a bad solution.

Soda has empty calories, i.e., a lot of calories from sugar without contributing any nutrients. This is not similar to cigarettes, as there were no substitutions for cigarettes plus all smoking increased health risks. Taxing soda would punish the person of ideal body weight who drinks eight ounces of soda a day and the overweight person who may drink 64 ounces a day AND vice versa.

The causes of obesity are complex, more complex than most of us who are trained in nutrition, nursing, or medicine can control. Many of these causes are beyond such a simple, misguided solution: sedentary lives; lack of physical exercise programs in schools; government corn subsidies; medical conditions; family history; socioeconomic; chronic dieting; psychosocial; larger portions; and marketing.

The second current target is pizza. When I look at pizza, I see sources of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Other nutritional benefits may include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin E, Potassium, Sodium, B-Vitamins, and more. There is a difference in eating a slice of pizza and eating a pizza. Tacos, although not a target, can also provide more nutrition than gets credit.

People of good intentions, including First Lady Michelle Obama, may push to limit or eliminate soda, but that is not going to address the other causes. It isn't going to help kids become more active or prevent food companies charging more money for healthier foods or a restaurant serving a single portion that could adequately feed two to four people. Educate and promote variety, balance, and moderation.

Rewards work very well to accomplish one's objectives. Reward people who maintain healthy habits. Reward good health. Reward rather than punish.