A group of scientists at the University of Illinois conducted a study on how food prices affect the body weight of Americans. They found that raising the prices of unhealthy foods and lowering the prices of healthy foods is associated with lower body weight and a reduced risk of obesity. (ScienceDaily)
Here’s an interesting distinction…the study found that small taxes on unhealthy foods, such as sugary soda, “are not likely to produce substantial changes in BMI or obesity prevalence,” but “nontrivial pricing intervention” could have a substantial effect on our weight. So, taxing unhealthy foods won’t work, but reducing the prices will.
This research really caught my eye. I know a lot of people who would be ecstatic if fruits and vegetables were cheaper. I know I’d do a happy dance! However, I don’t think this is the perfect solution for America’s healthy eating issues. We need to educate ourselves on how eating healthy prevents disease and improves our daily life and mental alertness. It can’t be just about the price. I think people will continue to make bad choices until they truly understand the effects food has on our minds and bodies.
What do you think?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m on the other end and think that if produce were cheaper, we’d definitely eat more of it.
I think the “let’s tax the fat people on the junk food” idea isn’t coming from those on food stamps or limited budgets.
We live in one of the most expensive states for groceries and have little in the way of farmer’s markets. We only have a little patio to grow a few tomatoes. When I do a breakdown of what produce costs us ($5.50/12 apples vs. $2.00/12 pudding packs) and a budget stretched to its limits, produce is often an expensive treat for us.
Raising the cost of junk will only put many poor families in deeper debt. Offering fresh produce at a lower cost will help everyone.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for commenting.
I definitely agree that the cheaper cost will help everyone. I would really appreciate it. I just don’t think it’s the complete answer. We need cheaper prices AND education.
I definitely see your point in the article. I agree that the education for some might be helpful.
But I believe the mantra the media has done a good job of bombarding us with “eat healthy! eat organic! eat grass-fed! eat local!” The problem is, many Americans don’t have those options nearby or can’t afford it. Healthy eating education only makes one depressed if one can’t act on it. And I say this knowing that the only available grocery in our city (which has no competition) is priced higher than high-end Whole Foods (according to Consumer Reports). Sometimes just affording groceries is the first challenge of the day.
Yep, I agree. Lower prices is the first step.
They need to start with removing all the subsidies on meat, dairy, and corn!
I also agree that lower prices for fruits and veggies are key to encouraging better eating habits but the problem is that the subsidies for these foods need to come from somewhere and the most obvious place to get this money is through the taxation or non-encouragement of foods that are inherently bad for you.
A family on a tight budget has no need to purchased 12 pudding cups for 2 bucks. Even these people aren’t eating pudding for dinner. If anything they’re eating Ramen Noodles for dinner for $0.12 a piece. The pudding is a luxury for them… as is soda and all other forms of junk food. If you discourage the purchasing of junk food through taxation and use the increased funds to lower the price of fruits and veggies you will begin to see a small shift towards healthy foods as luxuries rather than the latter.
My personal experience:
I live overseas in a place where fruits and vegetables are much cheaper than in the US. Last year, I was in the US for six months and gained 20 pounds (Partially as a result of restaurant portion sizes in addition to the cost of veggies). Since returning to my home, I’ve lost 10 pounds and am again at a healthy weight.