Why Does Eating Healthy Cost More If Wellness Is Advertised as an Importance

Why Does Eating Healthy Cost More If Wellness Is Advertised as an Importance

Introduction

The issue at hand is the high cost of healthy eating despite the emphasis on the importance of wellness in our society. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. However, many people find it challenging to afford healthy food options, especially those in low-income communities (Daniel, 2020). This issue is particularly concerning given the rising rates of obesity and related health problems, which disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations. Numerous factors contribute to the high cost of healthy eating, including the production and distribution costs of fresh fruits and vegetables, the marketing and advertising costs of processed foods, and the subsidies and tax breaks given to the agricultural and food industries. These factors make it difficult for many individuals and families to access and afford nutritious food options, leading them to opt for cheaper and often less healthy options.

Two Distinct Sides to the Discussion on the Cost of Healthy Eating.

Two distinct sides have emerged on this issue. One perspective argues that the cost of healthy eating is due to a broken food system that prioritizes profit over health and sustainability (Nestle, 2020). This results in the production and promotion of unhealthy and highly processed foods. This makes healthy foods more expensive despite requiring more resources to produce. This perspective suggests addressing systemic issues in the food industry to make healthy eating more affordable, such as subsidies and accessibility.

The other perspective suggests that the cost of healthy eating results from consumer demand. The food industry responds to consumer preferences, prioritizing convenience and tastes over health (Vermeulen et al., 2020). Healthy foods require more resources to produce and have a shorter shelf life, making them more expensive. This perspective argues that if consumers were more willing to pay for healthy foods, the industry would respond by making them more affordable. Proponents of this perspective suggest that consumer demand for convenience and taste has contributed to the rise of the fast food industry and unhealthy eating habits.

Background Analysis

The cost of healthy eating is higher than that of unhealthy options despite campaigns promoting the importance of a nutritious diet. This is due to the current structure of the food industry, which prioritizes profit over public health (Carins & Bogomolova, 2021). Government subsidies often go towards large agribusinesses that produce unhealthy and processed foods, while fresh and healthy options are expensive to produce and distribute. Access to healthy foods in low-income areas is limited, and consumer demand for processed and fast foods is high. This issue has significant consequences for public health and reinforces systemic inequalities. Addressing it requires a multifaceted approach that targets both systemic issues in the food industry and promotes consumer demand for healthy options.

Pros and Cons

The pros of healthy eating include reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved overall health and well-being, and support for local agriculture and small-scale food production. Promoting healthy eating habits can raise awareness and create new markets for healthier food options, resulting in more choices for consumers (Goncalves et al., 2021). However, the cons of healthy eating include the higher cost of healthy foods compared to processed and unhealthy foods, which can make it difficult for those with lower incomes to make healthy choices. Additionally, lack of access to healthy food options in low-income areas and food deserts, misleading food advertising, and a lack of incentive for the food industry to invest in healthier options can discourage individuals from making healthy choices.

Target Audience

The target audience for this position paper is policymakers, government officials, health advocates, nutritionists, and other stakeholders involved in health and social policy. The paper may also be relevant to consumers interested in making healthy food choices but facing obstacles related to cost and access. The audience may have varying levels of expertise and backgrounds, and the paper should provide accessible and informative information.

Opinion Based on Background Analysis and Pros and Cons

I think the high cost of healthy eating is a complex issue requiring a systemic change. The food industry prioritizes profit over public health, creating significant consequences for public health and reinforcing systemic inequalities. While promoting healthy eating habits and creating new markets for healthier options is helpful, a multifaceted approach that targets systemic issues and consumer demand for healthy options is necessary.

Position Support

Research has shown that healthy foods can cost up to 10 times more than unhealthy options. This makes it difficult for people with lower incomes to make healthy choices (Maia et al., 2020). The current structure of the food industry prioritizes profit over public health, with government subsidies often going towards large agribusinesses that produce unhealthy and processed foods. Additionally, the lack of access to healthy food options in low-income areas and food deserts reinforces systemic inequalities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the importance of eating healthy, there are several systemic factors that contribute to the higher cost of healthy foods. These factors include subsidies for unhealthy foods, the high cost of production and distribution, and the lack of access to healthy food options in low-income communities. It is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to address these issues and prioritize the promotion of healthy eating habits for all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status, to ultimately improve overall health and well-being.

References

Carins, J., & Bogomolova, S. (2021). Co-designing a community-wide approach to encouraging healthier food choices. Appetite, 162, 105167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105167

Daniel, C. (2020). Is healthy eating too expensive?: How low-income parents evaluate the cost of food. Social Science & Medicine, 248, 112823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.112823

Gonçalves, D., Coelho, P., Martinez, L. F., & Monteiro, P. (2021). Nudging consumers toward healthier food choices: A field study on the effect of social norms. Sustainability, 13(4), 1660. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041660

Maia, E. G., Dos Passos, C. M., Levy, R. B., Martins, A. P. B., Mais, L. A., & Claro, R. M. (2020). What to expect from the price of healthy and unhealthy foods over time? The case is from Brazil. Public Health Nutrition, 23(4), 579-588. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980019003586

Nestle, M. (2020). A call for food system change. The Lancet, 395(10238), 1685-1686. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31146-6

Vermeulen, S. J., Park, T., Khoury, C. K., & Béné, C. (2020). Changing diets and the transformation of the global food system. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1478(1), 3-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14446

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Position Paper (Position Paper): TOPIC (Why does eating healthy cost more, if wellness is advertised as importance)

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to analyze and synthesize a social or healthcare policy and write a detailed position paper related to your chosen topic.

Process:
1. Choose a social issue or health care policy (exclude abortion issues)and write a position paper including the criteria below.
2. There are numerous sites on the Internet that assist in writing this type of paper. I have included two of them here: Position Paper 1 (Links to an external site.), Position Paper 2 (Links to an external site.). Regardless of which site you use as a guide, make sure your paper includes all of the rubric components.
3. Label each major section of the paper with appropriate headers as per APA format.
4. Introduce or describe the issue.
5. Identify two distinct sides.
6. Provide a thorough background and analysis of the issue.
7. List the pros and cons related to the issue.
8. Describe the target audience.
9. Provide a clear explanation of your opinion based upon your background analysis and the pros and cons.
10. Discuss support for your position based on evidence.
11. Add a conclusion.
Paper Guidelines:
• Label each major section of the paper with appropriate headers as per APA format.
• Provide evidence to support your opinions and recommendations.
• Reflect upon the social issue.
• Analyze research findings and draw conclusions.
• Provide a title page, body of the paper, and reference page formatted in 7th edition APA format.
• Body of paper should be at least 2 pages but no more than 5 pages in length.
• Use Level 1 APA headings to organize your thoughts/paper.
Criteria Rating Pts
Description of Issue
view longer description 20 pts
A thorough Description of the Issue with the introduction
10 pts
Minimal Description of Issue. Weak introduction
0 pts
Very little details or Description of the Issue. Introduction not included / 20 pts
Identity of 2 Distinct Sides
view longer description 20 pts
Outstanding and thorough Identity of 2 Distinct Si
12 pts
Minimal details regarding the Identity of 2 Distinct Si
0 pts
Very few details were provided for one or both sides / 20 pts
Background & Analysis of the Issue
view longer description 30 pts
A thorough description of the Background & Analysis of the Issue
12 pts
Minimal description/details Background & Analysis of Issue
0 pts
Little or no background details or analysis of the issue / 30 pts
Pros & Cons of the Issue
view longer description 35 pts
Excellent descriptions of the pros and cons of the issue. Thorough details are provided for both.
13 pts
Some details regarding pros and cons but details are not thorough for each.
0 pts
Very few details. Or the details are not relevant to the pros and cons discussion / 35 pts
Identity & Description of Target Audience
view longer description 25 pts
Through Identity & Description of Target Audience
8 pts
Minimal details regarding Identity & Description of Target Audience
0 pts
Few details Identity & Description of Target Audience / 25 pts
Clear explanation of your opinion
view longer description 35 pts
Thorough and Clear explanation of your opinion
13 pts
Some details somewhat Clear explanation of your opinion
0 pts
UnClear explanation of your opinion / 35 pts
Support for your argument
view longer description 35 pts
Evidence provided in Support for your argument
21 pts
Some details in Support for your argument. Some evidence but more is needed
0 pts
no evidence provided in Support for your argument / 35 pts
Conclusion
view longer description 25 pts
Thorough and informative conclusion
8 pts
Some details in conclusion but lacks clarity
0 pts
No conclusion or conclusion is not congruent with the rest of the paper / 25 pts
In-Text References
view longer description 20 pts
In-text citations/referenes are accurate and use APA format
12 pts
Some in-text citations/references have errors but these are minimal.
0 pts
no in-text citations/references. APA format not utilized / 20 pts
Reference Page
view longer description 20 pts
Reference page is accurate and APA format is utilized.
12 pts
One or two errors found in the reference page but these are minimal and less than 2 errors
0 pts
No reference page or reference page has more than 2 erros in formatting / 20 pts
Spelling/grammar/APA
view longer description 20 pts
No spelling or grammatical errors. APA format is utilized
12 pts
Less than 3 errors noted
0 pts