Would ideas like a “fat tax” or “sugar tax” be effective? Have other places tried them, and if so, what was the result?

Over the past few weeks, we have read various perspectives on the politics and business of
food. Some writers such as Michael Pollan concern themselves with the importance of
individual dietary choices, while others, such as Radley Balko, write about government’s
role in ensuring the health of its citizens. In some way or another, all the voices we read are
concerned for Americans’ health but have different ideas about how to best approach it.
Drawing from at least one of the authors from class and outside research, write an essay
in which you assess federal, state, and/or local government policy on obesity.
Questions to Consider
• How, if at all, should the government regulate the fast food industry?
• Would ideas like a “fat tax” or “sugar tax” be effective? Have other places tried them,
and if so, what was the result?
• What is some recent federal, state, or local legislation that has passed or been
introduced to combat obesity? Do you think it will work?
• Do you believe in giving government more control over health matters, or less?
Why?
• What other systemic or structural factors contribute to obesity?
• What role does fatphobia play in how we shape policy? What is the danger of
focusing too much on obesity at the expense of other health concerns?
Requirements
• 4-5 pages, double-spaced
• Written in essay form (intro, body, and conclusion, no walls of text)
• MLA format with correct heading, creative title, and header
• Works Cited page
• Quote from and cite at least one of the following authors: Pollan, Balko, Zinczenko,
or Maxfield. You can cite more than one if you like.
• Quote from and at least two additional sources from the MCC Library (instruction
will be given in class). You can cite more than two if you like.
• Follow the 80/20 rule for original writing vs. source material
• Written in formal language, third person
• Spell-checked and proofread Over the past few weeks, we have read various perspectives on the politics and business of
food. Some writers such as Michael Pollan concern themselves with the importance of
individual dietary choices, while others, such as Radley Balko, write about government’s
role in ensuring the health of its citizens. In some way or another, all the voices we read are
concerned for Americans’ health but have different ideas about how to best approach it.
Drawing from at least one of the authors from class and outside research, write an essay
in which you assess federal, state, and/or local government policy on obesity.
Questions to Consider
• How, if at all, should the government regulate the fast food industry?
• Would ideas like a “fat tax” or “sugar tax” be effective? Have other places tried them,
and if so, what was the result?
• What is some recent federal, state, or local legislation that has passed or been
introduced to combat obesity? Do you think it will work?
• Do you believe in giving government more control over health matters, or less?
Why?
• What other systemic or structural factors contribute to obesity?
• What role does fatphobia play in how we shape policy? What is the danger of
focusing too much on obesity at the expense of other health concerns?
Requirements
• 4-5 pages, double-spaced
• Written in essay form (intro, body, and conclusion, no walls of text)
• MLA format with correct heading, creative title, and header
• Works Cited page
• Quote from and cite at least one of the following authors: Pollan, Balko, Zinczenko,
or Maxfield. You can cite more than one if you like.
• Quote from and at least two additional sources from the MCC Library (instruction
will be given in class). You can cite more than two if you like.
• Follow the 80/20 rule for original writing vs. source material
• Written in formal language, third person
• Spell-checked and proofread

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