Yup, it’s a sad state of affairs when we have to start taxing unhealthy food to improve the health of the nation isn’t it? Recently implemented in Denmark, many lawmakers in the U.S. say that taxing the food chain from manufacturer to consumer, coupled with changes in food policy to spur production of healthier food — is needed to reverse the pandemic of obesity and chronic diseases in The United States.

One article published in The British Medical Joural last week looked at tax schemes worldwide to see what has worked, however marginally. Many countries are now using such “sin” taxes, which have curbed tobacco and alcohol use, to limit the consumption of unhealthy food. These taxes are based on the basic economic theory that, as the price of an item rises, the consumption of that item will fall.

But this theory, according to the article, isn’t necessarily true with food. Just because the price of that instant deep-fried, artery clogging mess goes up doesn’t mean the nation will switch to brocolli. People might continue eating badly because that’s what they like to eat and that’s all they know how to eat.

Another article points out that the solution starts with the food supply system. Through better price control and innovative marketing, these companies in the food supply system have created a consumer demand for cheaper but unhealthier food, largely in the form of easy-to-prepare processed foods and drinks.

Perhaps strategies similar to what went into the creation of inexpensive, unhealthy food — could work to make the industry find ways to use healthier ingredients and healthier manufacturing practices? But, let’s face it…given the poor economy, governments might be less willing to introduce taxes or changes in the food supply if they have a negative impact on jobs…bottom line.

So what are your thoughts? Do you think taxing is going to help fix obesity or diet-related diseases in our country?