Should being fat be socially unacceptable

[User482]

Well, it *is* actually your business if you're a taxpayer, because the NHS picks up a massive tab from obesity.

So should we castigate cyclists who end up in A&E because they were going a bit too fast? What about rugby players - there are safer sports?

 

[User482]

As to the OP, I was heartened at the weekend to read that Jamie Oliver's schools crusade is actually delivering significant and tangible results: "The report by the Children's Food Trust shows the proportion of teenagers having chips at lunchtime has dropped from 43% to 7% between 2004 and 2011, while those consuming starchy foods cooked in fat or oil such as garlic bread or yorkshire pudding is down from 50% to 17%." Like him or not (and I have to say I do) Jamie Oliver has probably done more for the health of this nation than anything since the establishment of the NHS. And not by condemning; more by showing a better way. Maybe there's a lesson in there...

And the government is undoing all this work: there is no requirement for academies to comply with national school nutritional requirements.

 

[swee'pea99]

So should we castigate cyclists who end up in A&E because they were going a bit too fast? What about rugby players - there are safer sports?

I never said we should castigate anyone. All I said is that obesity is everyone's business, if they're a taxpayer, because it imposes immense burdens on the NHS (£6.3billion a year by 2015, apparently).

As to Gove and the academies, it's a shame, but hopefully the actual impact will be limited, both by the relatively small proportion of children who attend academies and by the fact that the significant cultural shift would at least appear to have taken place. It's hard seeing schools - whatever legislation's brought in by any given numpty government - going back to turkey twizzlers en masse.

 

[User482]

I never said we should castigate anyone. All I said is that obesity is everyone's business, if they're a taxpayer, because it imposes immense burdens on the NHS (£6.3billion a year by 2015, apparently).

As to Gove and the academies, it's a shame, but hopefully the actual impact will be limited, both by the relatively small proportion of children who attend academies and by the fact that the significant cultural shift would at least appear to have taken place. It's hard seeing schools - whatever legislation's brought in by any given numpty government - going back to turkey twizzlers en masse.

Then by extension, any activity or choice that may cause a negative health impact is everyone's business. For example - I've needed hospital treatment for mountain biking and skiing accidents: I'm sure there are much safer ways to get some exercise.

 

[yumpy]

Not joking there. If an obese person loose 10 lbs, that saves NHS thousands of pounds. Hence NHS now spending hundreds of pounds per client on weight managment courses. I am on one of them and these courses works. They also saves NHS money after costs has been paid.

I think your attitude in itself will mean you achieve what you want. More importantly, its all very well for us to point fingers, but in terms of helping people to lose weight, examples and motivation from others who are trying to do the same seems a better path than being coached by a ripped personal trainer, or some waif hopping about on TV, who might just make everyone feel worse.

( Parallel but o/t but some of the most successful youth programs to keep them out of trouble are run by ex-bad-lads, because the potential troublemakers are more likely to listen to someone who has been in the same position.)

Actually it might be quite painful, but I'd guess it would be very useful for people who are trying to lose weight to look back to see how it all started. I know one of my daughter's teen friends who is putting weight on fast, has a constant supply of crisps and chocolate in the cupboard (I mean tons of it), so every morning and afternoon guess what ?

On the other hand, when I was that age mum used to cook suet dumplings for pudding, with brown sugar in the middle and golden syrup all over the outside. But I walked or cycled everywhere.

Some pics of my dad in WW2 in the desert with his platoon show they are all very bony. Perhaps they were malnourished, but I still remember he could sprint faster than me until I was late into my teens. I can't even beat my 11 year old.

One thing that has changed completely in society is the level of self-discipline and personal responsibility; that covers a massive range of activities and attitudes. In some ways its no surprise that we indulge and can't regulate. That includes driving around in gas-gobblers - its the same self-indulgence in a different form.

Now where's my Buddha, I need to calm down.

 

[swee'pea99]

Then by extension, any activity or choice that may cause a negative health impact is everyone's business. For example - I've needed hospital treatment for mountain biking and skiing accidents: I'm sure there are much safer ways to get some exercise.

Absolutely it is. If I'm being asked to contribute, it's my business.

 

[User482]

Absolutely it is. If I'm being asked to contribute, it's my business.

That being the case, could you give us a list of acceptable activities and choices? Though if you could delay it until after lunch, that would be great, as I'd like to enjoy my final pork pie.

 

[swampyseifer]

One thing that has changed completely in society is the level of self-discipline and personal responsibility; that covers a massive range of activities and attitudes. In some ways its no surprise that we indulge and can't regulate. That includes driving around in gas-gobblers - its the same self-indulgence in a different form.

Nail on the head...

 

[swee'pea99]

Well, pork pies is out for starters. No crisps. Enjoy your lunch.

 

[tyred]

One thing that has changed completely in society is the level of self-discipline and personal responsibility; that covers a massive range of activities and attitudes. In some ways its no surprise that we indulge and can't regulate. That includes driving around in gas-gobblers - its the same self-indulgence in a different form.

The vast majority of people will self indulge given half a chance. Look at all the grand stately homes, castles, palaces and manor houses around the place and remember that the people that built them lived the life of Riley (who was Riley anyway?) while their serfs/tenants/hired hands had practically nothing. It's nothing new, it's human nature and just shows up in different ways through the centuries.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Someone up thread said fat ugly people get discriminated against in the work place. Less chance of being the biggest earner, getting that job ect.

Well thats rubbish

99 % of the people running this country and in parliament are fat and ugly

 

[swampyseifer]

People expect freedom to choose how to run their life (within the law mostly) and that includes eating what they want. Companies have to be given freedom to sell food regardless of how unhealthy it is, so long as it meets guidelines.

What is the solution? Only allow the sale of "healthy food"? Make a law to denote the level of food consumption?

Whats next...taxing fat people based on weight? smokers on years spent smoking...drinkers based on units consumed per month? Vehicle drivers based on number of miles driven per month? or maybe more road tax based on number of points on license? Riskier jobs (firemen for example) should pay more as there's more chance of being hurt?

Where do you stop?

 

[User482]

Well, pork pies is out for starters. No crisps. Enjoy your lunch.

Could you advise what I should eat instead?

 

[the snail]

Just put a picture of Eric Pickles on anything with a high fat content.

 

[swee'pea99]

Could you advise what I should eat instead?

Sticks of carrot. Not too many. And if you're good you can have a grape for afters.