One of the biggest hurdles is the high rate of obesity among the poor, who rely on foot stamps, or SNAP. As a answer, more than 25 states have introduced “Double Up Food Bucks,” part of the SNAP program in which every SNAP dollar a recipient spends can be used for two dollars worth of fruits or vegetables.

These programs incentivize personal responsibility instead of government coercion. But would they work? Would poor people, accustomed to diets of cheaper fare loaded with fat and carbohydrates change their food choices? Would older adults take the extra step to access obesity treatments?

[For a start, we should ensure that government interventions don’t incentivize obesity. That should be a minimum, especially in the SNAP program. Government health agencies shouldn’t play along with “body positivity” either, and speak frankly about the health risks of obesity rather than dance around it. More locally, school boards and states should start re-emphasizing PE in schools and other physical activity all the way through K-12, not as electives but as mandatory. Other than that, though, government doesn’t have other authorities — and I’d be suspicious about granting them any. — Ed]