Should Insurance Companies Be Allowed To Charge Higher Premiums For Obesity?

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research recently conducted a survey of of more than a 1,000 adults to view their perception of obesity and obesity related health issues. Here are some highlights from the survey, as reported by the Associated Press.

The U.S. public considers obesity second only to cancer as the most serious health issue, with conditions closely related to obesity—diabetes and heart disease—tied for third.
Eight out of ten people cite too much TV and computer time as the most important reason for high rates of obesity, with easy access to cheap fast food and lack of desire or knowledge about how to control one’s weight as other major factors.
Discrimination is an issue with 95 percent of the public believing that obese people face some level of discrimination due to their weight.
There is wide public understanding of the connection between obesity and the health impacts of being overweight such as diabetes and heart disease.
There is strong support for government policies that would add more physical activity time in schools, provide information about healthy choices, and incentives to the food industry to produce healthier options.
There is little support for policies that would constrain consumer choices such as limits on the amount or type of food that can be purchased or taxes on unhealthy foods or drinks.

Here was our discussion about the survey on Monday.

So we took some calls on Monday, but we would love to hear some additional comments from you all. Leave them in the comments section below and vote in our poll.