Ashley Statt English 102 Project Two Part 1 By nightfall, 1,095.

89 people will not be able to fit in their graves. 1,095.89 people will die due to lack of exercise and the over eating of energy-dense foods. This is the face of obesity, and the cause of it includes fast food. Fast food is defined as food that is prepared in a timely manner designed for availability without health in consideration. The popularity of fast food has contributed to the increased obesity in America. Fast food is desired for its availability, cheap prices, convenience, and good taste but can contribute to excessive weight gain due to increased portion sizes and high levels of fat. Fast foods major contribution to obesity is that this unhealthy food replaces the healthier food choices and leads to the dearth of essential levels of nutrients. Obesity has become such a scary and dangerous trend that can possibly continue to affect America in severe ways (W. Larry Williams et al.). An effective solution in reducing obesity in Arizona is to create a tax on fast food items in order to reduce the amount of consumption. On average, drive-throughs take about two and a half minutes to order and receive the food while preparing a home cooked meal takes about 28 minutes to make. Such availability has led to both over consumption and under nourishment (W. Larry Williams et al.). The technological and industrial advances in America have changed the behavior of the citizens. Now with bicycles and walking replaced with automobiles or trains, people are becoming less and less active. Greater wealth has contributed to portion size increases. Another behavior change that Americans can see are that parents are

spending less time cooking homemade meals to spend more time working to pay the bills. Fast food is a convenient and cheap option for busy families to acquire ("The Big). While there has been a slight push for fast food companies to create healthier food options, there is still a huge issue with over-eating and unhealthy choices these corporations provide. Some say that these companies have tried to help Americans by providing nutrition labels or taking toys out of kids meals. This however surely is not enough. (W. Larry Williams et al.) Arizona needs legislative method used to control fast food prices to help public safety and community needs. Overweight individuals and obesity can be considered a public health crisis as a chronic illness (W. Larry Williams et al.). The annual healthcare cost burden associated with obesity was recently estimated to be as high as $209.7 billion (Powell 111). Being overweight or obese has serious consequences. As obesity grows faster than any disease seen in the United States, health issues linked to obesity continue to rise as well ("The Big). Obesity is connected to increased risk for cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, depression, and type II diabetes, which can result in blindness, hypertension, and amputations (Elmer, Brown, Nichols, and Oster 1366-13639). Along with the physical damage and the immense amount of medical bills, which accumulates to over one fifth of healthcare spending, obesity affects the mental stability of a person. Huge repercussions for individuals, businesses, and governments due to overweight individuals are now occurring ("The Big). Although the facts are present, overweight and obese individuals continue to eat despite the negative repercussions on their health (W. Larry Williams et al.). While it is difficult for fast food companies to deny that their food has contributed

to millions of obese people, they argue that they are not personally responsible for the lack of self-control many obese people attain. America is divided on the issue, some thinking that obesity is a public health crisis and some thinking that capitalism should dominate. Even if the issue of how to handle the obesity crisis in America is undetermined, weight gain is still a severe and dangerous problem that America needs to address (W. Larry Williams et al.). Think globally, act locally. America can persevere through any situation because this nation is the strongest power in the world, but focusing on individual communities will result in a better nation (W. Larry Williams et al.). A great incentive to improve healthy eating for consumers is at least a 20% tax on fast food. Pricing instruments should continue to be considered and evaluated as potential policy instruments to address public health risks (Powell 110). As fast food intake is increasing amongst all age groups, the state legislator needs to focus on reducing the amount of consumption by placing a high enough tax on fast food. According to a recent research examination from The Institute for Health at University of Illinois, A tax could have large implications at the population level given the extent of caloric intake from fast food among the U.S. population, particularly among youths. Indeed, the review of fast-food prices and weight outcomes revealed that there was fairly consistent evidence, suggesting that higher fast-food prices would reduce body weight among adolescents (Powell 125). Arizona needs to implement a tax that will be effective. Although no other state officially has a large enough tax on fast food to make a difference, other states are taking action against obesity. New York is even going through the process to make sugary drinks over 16 ounces illegal to buy or sell (Grynbaum).

Arizona does not have to go to those extremes but a state tax, sales or excise, designed specifically to limit the amount of fast food consumption would be a great step towards a healthier state. The way to determine what companies are affected by this tax without crippling the Arizona economy is to delegate the 20% tax to large corporations and chain restaurants and a 10% tax to small, private businesses. The government always needs funding and a tax on fast food would be a way to generate revenue for the state to help with tight budgets and welfare programs. In addition, the money made off of the tax from fast food could be used to help make healthier food like fruits and vegetables more affordable or to help pay for programs that promote improving healthy lifestyles (Powell). Obesity and unhealthy lifestyles are a nationwide problem that is harming Americas society almost discreetly. People see that there is an increase in weight gain amongst Americans but nationally there has not been a large enough outcry over it. This issue can largely be affected by a fast food tax. The money generated from the tax can help support healthy lifestyles. As weight gain continues to soar in our nation, there is a lack of action and discussion. As a wise man once said, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Part 2 The audience I have chosen to write the letter to is Governor Janice K. Brewer, the 22nd governor of Arizona. Governor Brewer has dealt with a lot of economic struggles and managed one of the nations worst State budget crises. Governor Brewer has stood for education and has supported the young in various aspects. Since obesity effects such a large percentage of the nations youth, Governor Brewer would be a person to listen to any problems that are affecting the youth in Arizona. Governor Brewer has cut a lot of taxes for small businesses, but large fast food chain corporations would be the main targets for this tax (Governor). Governor Brewer has personally adopted endowment programs to help students and educators in Arizona fight childhood obesity. These grants are applicable to schools and youth-focused community centers that show the desire to educate youth on healthy living. Youth Service America and UnitedHealth Group enables these grants to help children learn about obesity by introducing hands-on programs that introduce health and weight related topics in high-risk communities. The endowments are awarded to programs that demonstrate a clear understanding of the health risks associated with pediatric obesity; propose creative solutions to combating obesity in their schools and communities; and can be easily implemented, scaled, and measured. Only a select few states adopt these endowments, making Governor Brewer one to show her concern about a healthy lifestyle (GOEO). As governor, Brewer has the authority to look over suggestions on what would make our state sun smoother. If she really thinks that a suggestion is worth the time and effort, she will be able to make something happen. She can introduce the topic to the rest

of the state government and will be able to research the tax idea in more detail. Governor Brewer has showed that she is for the American people and is willing to make tough changes in order to make this state a better place (Governor).

Part 3 Honorable Janice K. Brewer Arizona Governor Executive Tower 1700 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 Governor Brewer, Obesity has been a problem for several years now and overweight individuals and obesity can be considered a public health crisis as a chronic illness. The annual healthcare cost associated with obesity alone was recently estimated to be as high as $209.7 billion. Huge contributors to obesity rates in America, specifically in Arizona, are the fast food corporations who provide increased portion sizes and high levels of fat. While there has been a slight push for fast food companies to create healthier food options, there is still a huge issue with over-eating and unhealthy choices these corporations provide. Although obesity is a nationwide problem, focusing on individual communities will result in a better nation. Other states are currently taking action against obesity and New York is even going through the process to make sugary drinks over 16 ounces illegal to buy or sell. Because American citizens should be able to have the right to eat or drink unhealthy if chosen, Arizona definitely does not have to go to those extremes. An Arizona tax, sales or excise, designed specifically to limit the amount of fast food consumption would be a great step towards a healthier state. As fast food intake is increasing amongst all age groups, the state legislator needs to focus on reducing the amount of consumption by placing at least a 20% tax on fast food. Pricing mechanisms should be considered as potential policy implements to address public health risks such as obesity. The money made off of the tax from fast food could be used to help make

healthier food like fruits and vegetables more affordable or to help pay for programs that promote improving healthy lifestyles. Arizona would benefit greatly from creating a tax that is designed specifically to limit the amount of fast food consumption. Weight gain is a severe and dangerous problem and the government has the responsibility to guide citizens in the right path. According to a recent and very large research examination from The Institute for Health at University of Illinois, A tax could have large implications given the extent of caloric intake from fast food among the U.S. population, particularly among youths. Indeed, the review of fast-food prices and weight outcomes revealed that there was fairly consistent evidence, suggesting that higher fast-food prices would reduce body weight among adolescents. Arizona needs to address obesity and this would be a great step towards a healthier state. I know as Governor, you have dealt with a lot of economic struggles and managed one of the nations worst State budget crises. You have continually fought for education and have supported the young in various aspects. Since obesity effects such a large percentage of the Arizonas youth, I feel that you are the person who will listen to any problems that are affecting the youth in Arizona. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. A great motto our country should focus on in order to improve is, think globally, and act locally. If we start to change our individual communities, our nation will become a better place! I hope that you will pass on this idea to the correct set of hands that can make a difference!

Sincerely, Ashley Statt

Works Cited "The Big Picture." Economist.com. The Economist Newspaper, 5 Dec. 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21568065-world getting-wider-says-charlotte-howard-what-can-be-done-about-it-big>. Elmer, P. J., J. B. Brown, G. A. Nichols, and G. Oster. "Effects of Weight Gain on Medical Care Costs." International Journal of Obesity 28.11 (2004): 1365-373. Print. "GOEO Updates." AzGovernor.Gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http://azgovernor.gov/eop/GOEOUpdates.asp>. "Governor Janice K. Brewer." AzGovernor.Gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. <http://www.azgovernor.gov/About/Gov_Bio.asp>. Grynbaum, Michael M. "Mayor Planning A Ban On Big Sizes Of Sugary Drinks." The New York Times. The New York Times, 31 May 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/nyregion/bloomberg-plans-a-ban-on-large sugared-drinks.html?pagewanted=all>. Powell, L. M., J. F. Chriqui, T. Khan, R. Wada, and F. J. Chaloupka. "Assessing the Potential Effectiveness of Food and Beverage Taxes and Subsidies for Improving Public Health: A Systematic Review of Prices, Demand and Body Weight Outcomes." Obesity Reviews 14.2 (2012): 110-28. Print. W. Larry Williams, et al. "How Far Do You Have To Go To Get A Cheeseburger Around Here? The Realities Of An Environmental Design Approach To Curbing The Consumption Of Fast-Food." Behavior & Social Issues 20.(2011): 6-23. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.