Kerala is the first state in India to introduce a “fat tax” on burgers, pizzas, doughnuts and tacos served in recognised restaurants.
The recently-elected Communist government says the 14.5% tax is aimed at making people more conscious about food choices and kerbing obesity.
via Kerala has the majority number of people suffering from obesity after the northern state of Punjab in India, according to a national family health survey. With increasing affluence, lifestyle diseases are on the rise and the government aims to check this with the fat tax.
In a proposal to oppose the problem of obesity in the state, the Kerala government has imposed 14.5 percent ‘fat tax’ on junk foods available at branded stores. Kerala has the second-highest rate of child obesity in India after Punjab according to the fourth round of National Health Survey conducted in 2014-2015.
What is Obesity?
It can be defined as an abnormal build-up of body fat, which can adversely affect one’s health.
Some Facts About Obesity
• In 2008, over 1.4 billion adults were overweight and more than half a billion were obese
• Worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980
• In 2013,42 million preschool children were overweight globally
• For an individual, an imbalance between calories gained and spent leads to obesity
• Overweight and obesity has led to more deaths worldwide than underweight
Difference between obesity and overweight
The main difference between obesity and overweight can be figured out on the basis of the body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 25 to 29.9 means the person is overweight and those with BMI of 30 and above are obese.
Discriminatory?
The southern state is a relatively new stop for global fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, Dominoes and KFC.
While Burger King didn’t want to comment on how this newly imposed tax will affect it, an official statement from McDonald’s said the company would be studying the details of the proposal.