Media Releases
Encouraging Kansans to become healthier
by Alex Sher, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Did you know over 26 percent of adults in Kansas are either overweight or obese? According to the Center for Disease Control, Kansas' adult obesity rate alone is 26.9 percent - that's over 720,000 people. In the past 10 years, our obesity rate has increased by 7 percent according to the Kansas Health Institute.
If it keeps increasing at the same level, over half of Kansas adults will be considered obese by the year 2038. If this happens, the amount of heart disease, stroke and many other health problems would increase dramatically, possibly resulting in more expensive health care and insurance. Also, the life expectancy would decrease. Do you want this to happen to our children? Me either. That's why I've created a plan that will help backfire this dangerous trend.
The first step of my plan would be to discourage unhealthy eating. Any food with a combination of high calories, sugar and saturated fats would be taxed at a higher rate. Health experts would decide the exact criteria. This will encourage healthier food choices at supermarkets and restaurants.
Obviously, exercise is also an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Just as there are public libraries, I would install public gyms. The money made from the food tax will pay for these gyms. Citizens would receive free membership, allowing them access to equipment, trainers, dieticians, running clubs, sports, dance classes, weightlfting, swimming pools and so much more. They will be able to track their physical progress too. Also, recreational sports programs for both adults and children will be set up.
My plan would bring the necessary change to encourage Kansans to become healthier. People would eat healthier foods, get more exercise and, most importantly, teach their children to establish the same habits. If we don't, who knows what health problems we will have.
