A simple solution would be to eliminate subsidies on corn, soy, and sugar -- and transfer all of that funding to subsidies on fresh produce. Basically, subsidize many small, local farms that produce real food, as opposed to subsidizing massive corporations that farm the ingredients for cheap, processed foods.

High quality produce should be cheaper than a bag of potato chips. Unfortunately, in many parts of the country, people don't even have access to fresh produce. It's a real problem. The solution is simple, though certainly not easy.

To add to that, when traveling, I can get a 16 oz can of Coke for about 2 USD, same size bottle of water, about 2.50 USD or so, give or take.

So yes, what you said should be done.

But someone I know is on Gov food assistance, if they go to a local Farm Stand, produce they buy with their card gets reimbursed, so it is free. A nice first step where I live.

I have a pet theory that there is a link between anti-smoking campaigns and the obesity epidemic. Nicotine is a hell of an appetite suppressant.

If your underlying problem doesn't go away but your coping method does, you usually just find a new coping method.

It's almost like poor people live miserable lives and flock to anything that can provide even a minor amount of pleasure

Do you know who is the biggest problem? The one with bad genetics, let's test everyone and charge them.

Attaboy! Let's prescreen people and designated roles to them based on genetics. Terrific idea.

It’s also extremely hard to solve. I don’t know any stats but I suspect to quit overeating is way harder than to quit smoking.

That or I’m projecting :-)

Plus smokers can switch to a vape with basically no downsides and eliminate probably 80-90% of their risk.

We're in the middle of finding out. GLP-1 drugs are revolutionary and are close to "curing" obesity.