Get Fit or Pay Up

A Fat Tax?

Seriously?

This offends me mostly becuase I abhor any sort of "sin tax". These kind of taxes make me believe that government is running out of ways to raise revenue. Also because I don't believe that the government should be in the business of regulating behavior.

I disagree with the premise that this is not a punishment. There are those situations where people gain weight due to circumstances beyond their control. For example, when I first came down with RA, I was prescribed high dose steriods which resulted in a 40 pound weight gain. The weight gain was one of the side effects. Despite some of my best efforts, I had a very difficult time losing weight. Being sick with a debilitating condition didn't help.

So, should I be penalized?

As we all know, losing weight is a very difficult process. There are many ups and downs (No pun intended). Should we penalize because some bureaucrat says we have not done enough? How do we define "fit"? Even BMI can be misleading.

It bothers me that we use negative reinforcement as a means to change behavior. Sure, it will work in the sense that people will lose money in the pocketbook if they don't lose the junk in the trunk. But is that the right way to encourage a fit lifestyle.

Many private insurance carriers, mine included, have means to encourage healthy living by using positive reinforcement. Giving a discount or credit toward a health club membership would help those who would like to get fit, but can't afford the high cost. Employers can encourage healthy lifestyle by providing access to fitness equipment and healthy food at work. My husband's company has a fitness center in the building that employers can use anytime, free of charge. Many private insurance companies provide programs that encourage healthy eating, cooking and choices.

The bottom line is that it is up to the individual to choose to live healthy. We can tax, we can do other forms of negative reinforcement, but will that really change behavior. Cigarettes are taxed, and yet, people still smoke.

What do you think?

Cross posted at my blog.