[dragonwriter]

> A return to the eating habits of the 1960s is perhaps the greatest possible welfare achievement right now (in the US), with impact far larger than universal healthcare.

You are comparing a concrete policy with a policy outcome for which there is no even remote concept of a policy mechanism that would achieve it.

> And it doesn't need to cost anything.

Massive changes to behavior are not free; the changes in eating habits that happened since the 1969s were driven by a number of economic and other factors, and counteracting all those factors to drive people back to 1960s eating habits would not be cheap.

[mobilefriendly]

Actually there are plenty of policy mechanisms to improve nutrition. First repeal subsidy programs for corn and sugar, in particular remove the U.S. import tariffs that create a market for high fructose corn syrup. Next end food stamp coverage for junk food and sugar drinks. Further, allow insurers, medicaid, etc surcharge for the obese-- make them pay for the extra costs they are imposing on the system. Consider taxes on sugar drinks. Finally improve school lunch nutrition.

[dragonwriter]

> Actually there are plenty of policy mechanisms to improve nutrition

I didn't say there weren't.

I said that there was no policy mechanism identified to acheive the goal of returning to 1960s eating habits.

> Further, allow insurers, medicaid, etc surcharge for the obese

Especially in the case of Medicaid, which is a safety net program for the medically indigent, this is nothing short of murderous.

[harryh]

I would also add:

- regulate advertisements for unhealthy foods, especially ads targeted at children

- ban vending machines (and candy sales) on school campuses

- implement sugar taxes similar to cigarette taxes