Obesity is still a Finnish problem. However, according to a Taloustutkimus survey commissioned by Yle, the public would reject an additional "obesity fee" being levied on overweight users of healthcare services. Furthermore, people do not want to see a hike in the number of taxpayer euros funding the fight against obesity.
However, good news is in sight on this particularly weighty issue, according to Research Professor Veikko Salomaa, from the Institute of Health and Welfare (THL).
“It would appear that the trend of increasing weight gain has leveled out, according to data based from the results of the last FINRISK study,” says Salomaa.
When pounds mean euros
Obesity is directly linked to various forms of disease, including the development of type II diabetes and many musculoskeletal disorders. As such, the obesity problem is also a concern in terms of health care costs.
In the questionnaire about one thousand people were asked, among other things, if more tax money should be allocated for dealing with the problem. As many as 57 percent of respondents weren’t keen on this option. So should there be a fat tax – that is, a surcharge for overweight people using healthcare services?
As many as 73 per cent of respondents opposed such additional charges. Salomaa agrees.
“We have a notable relationship between socio-economic differences and obesity. If overweight people were charged higher fees, then the burden could easily fall on those who are already in the weakest position,” Salomaa says.
Instead, Salomaa believes more tax euros should be directed at national efforts to battle the bulge.
“Above all, primary health care, which is paid for by taxes, should do more to prevent and treat obesity. Obesity can affect lifestyle and I think it’s worthwhile to dedicate more resources,” he says.
Beer bellies and liquor love handles?
According to statistics, Finland is the fattest of the Nordic nations. Most worrying is the fact that unhealthy weight gain in children and young people has become more common. Childhood obesity increases the risk of being unhealthily heavy in adulthood.
Salomaa says that the primary fatteners for Finns are a non-existent level of daily exercise and unnecessary calories.
“Alcohol plays a pretty large role when it comes to significant weight gain,” warns Salomaa.
