Let’s Provide a Fiscal Incentive to Lose Weight

Re “Fat of the Land: Obesity Costs State, U.S. Billions, Studies Say,” Jan. 23: Politicians constantly argue about cutting fat from the budget, but it looks like the budget needs to be trimmed from the fat. The estimated $7.7 billion that the state spent on care for the obese is a large chunk of the deficit. While it is unlikely that the fat cats in Sacramento would get behind such a proposal, a tax on fast food, junk food and other “hyperglycemic” products would create a needed revenue stream for the state. It would also provide a fiscal incentive to people to make a positive life change, since the physical incentive of good health does not seem to be enough.

We already have taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, items of personal choice that have effects on the health-care system. California is, to an extent, dependent on its image of being a land of fit, healthy people. The 59% of adults considered overweight or obese are a threat to that image as well as to the health of the state. Let them eat their cake -- just make them pay the true costs of it.

Chris Davis

Huntington Beach