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Government's Role in Combating Obesity

The document provides an outline for an argumentative paper arguing that government intervention is needed to address the obesity epidemic. The paper will argue that medical costs associated with obesity burden taxpayers, unhealthy foods lack proper regulation, and schools need to ensure student access to healthy options. Each body paragraph will provide evidence to support one aspect of this argument. For example, one paragraph cites research showing obesity-related medical costs in the US totaled $147 billion in 2008. Another discusses how a "fat tax" could curb fast food consumption. A third provides evidence that Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign successfully reduced childhood obesity. The conclusion restates the thesis that government intervention is necessary to reduce obesity rates.

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158 views2 pages

Government's Role in Combating Obesity

The document provides an outline for an argumentative paper arguing that government intervention is needed to address the obesity epidemic. The paper will argue that medical costs associated with obesity burden taxpayers, unhealthy foods lack proper regulation, and schools need to ensure student access to healthy options. Each body paragraph will provide evidence to support one aspect of this argument. For example, one paragraph cites research showing obesity-related medical costs in the US totaled $147 billion in 2008. Another discusses how a "fat tax" could curb fast food consumption. A third provides evidence that Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign successfully reduced childhood obesity. The conclusion restates the thesis that government intervention is necessary to reduce obesity rates.

Uploaded by

shugo charaxxx
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Format your paper according to your assignment instructions: APA, MLA, Chicago Style

The following sample includes APA-style citations and references.

Outline: Argumentative Paper on Obesity and Government Intervention

I. Introduction
a. Thesis: The obesity epidemic needs a government intervention because the
medical costs associated with obesity cost taxpayers money, unhealthy foods need
tighter regulations, and schools need to provide healthier options.

II. Body Paragraph 1: The medical cost associated with weight-related issues has
significantly contributed to individual taxes.
a. Supporting evidence: “…the costs of obesity arising from individuals’ poor
nutritional choices are borne by society as a whole through taxes, lost
productivity, and an overburdened healthcare system. In 2008, the medical costs
associated with obesity and obesity-related illnesses totaled US $147 billion in the
United States” (Franck et al., 2013, p. 1951).
i. Explanation: This quote demonstrates not only the connection between
obesity, medical costs, and increased taxes, but also shows the exact costs
from a fairly recent year.
ii. So what?: This quote supports the claim that weight-related medical
issues contribute to increased taxes for all taxpayers by explaining the
connection and demonstrating the high dollar costs to show that this is a
current problem affecting a government process (taxation) and therefore
could appropriately be addressed by government intervention.

III. Body Paragraph 2: Another reason that weight should be considered a governmental
issue is that the market for unhealthy food in America has overtaken the general food
market and the government needs to actively curb the incentives to frequent these
establishments.
a. Supporting Evidence: “[M]eals are increasingly being consumed outside the
home, and these meals tend to be higher in fat. A literal fat tax… theoretically
would encourage individuals to opt for low-fat or nonfat alternatives” (Franck et
al., 2013, p. 1951).
i. Explanation: This quote alludes to many of the main problems with fast
food consumption and explains what a fat tax would attempt to do to curb
the consumption of junk food.
ii. So what?: Showing that a fat tax would be able to curb overconsumption
of obesity-causing fast food demonstrates the need for the government to
impose such a thing.

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Finally, the government is responsible for ensuring that children
have access to healthy food and exercise while in school.
a. Supporting Evidence: A connection between Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!”
campaign and a reduction in overall childhood obesity across America has been
demonstrated (Tucker, 2013, p. 5).
i. Explanation: This information shows the effectiveness of government-
backed programs, with “Let’s Move!” as the specific example.

Page numbers are not required when citing paraphrased


information. However, you may include them if doing so
would better direct readers to the information cited.
ii. So what?: Demonstrating the effectiveness of the “Let’s Move!”
campaign supports the concept of government involvement in school food
and exercise initiatives to help curb childhood obesity and provide
children with the foundation for establishing healthy habits.

V. Conclusion
a. Rephrased Thesis: Obesity is causing taxpayers more money. Unhealthy foods
are not regulated and inadequate nutrition and exercise in schools are leading to a
rise in obesity. Therefore, the government needs to intervene in order to decrease
the rates of obesity.
b. Strong Closing: The government’s intervention is important so that we can
reduce the rates of obesity before they soar to an uncontrollable level.

References

Franck, C., Grandi, S., & Eisenberg, M. (2013). Taxing junk food to counter obesity. American

Journal of Publich Health, 103(11), 1949-1953.

https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301279

Tucker, C. (2013). Q&A with first lady Michelle Obama: How the Let’s Move! campaign is

changing the way kids eat, move. Nation’s Health, 43(9), 5.

http://thenationshealth.aphapublications.org/content/43/9/5.full

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