How do we tackle the obesity crisis?
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?I tend to agree with this, hitting people in the wallet is usually most effective.(Original post by hypercaine.)
Have the government subsidise healthy food (maybe only some of the basics such as fresh fruit and vegetables, bottled water, etc.) as most healthy food costs significantly more than junk food. In the current climate people will always buy the cheaper option which they know they like, also its not just in the current climate in any climate. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?Your money (assuming you pay tax) already DOES go towards people with self inflicted problems. There are many people using NHS services who's health issues are self inflicted.(Original post by . . .)
The government shouldn't do anything about it. It's the individuals choice if they decide to eat a large amounts of unhealthy food so the individuals must suffer the consequences. I don't want my money going towards people who have self inflicted problems.
Where would you draw the line?
Refuse to treat self harmers? Refuse cancer treatment to smokers? Your view of the world must be quite narrow if you believe that everything is black and white. Also, it doesn't sound like you really understand why people can get to be obese. It's not just because they're lazy and like junk food. There are a lot of psychological issues in there as well, don't be so naive as to think that you can group everyone in one category. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?At the end of the day, this is true. But the idea was to discuss how to tackle the problem, and this would just leave it in the current state. And continue costing the NHS billions...(Original post by . . .)
If people insist on being spoon fed and treated as children then let them. The only way a child will learn not to play with fire is if they get burned. The only way an overweight individual will realize not to eat too much is if they develop health problems.
There isn't a solution, really. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?And I don't agree with it.(Original post by xoxAngel_Kxox)
Your money (assuming you pay tax) already DOES go towards people with self inflicted problems. There are many people using NHS services who's health issues are self inflicted.
Where would you draw the line?
Refuse to treat self harmers? Refuse cancer treatment to smokers? Your view of the world must be quite narrow if you believe that everything is black and white. Also, it doesn't sound like you really understand why people can get to be obese. It's not just because they're lazy and like junk food. There are a lot of psychological issues in there as well, don't be so naive as to think that you can group everyone in one category.
Depends what the causes of self harm is if it is metal illness or genetics then they should be treated if it is alcohol or other drug misuse then no they shouldn't be treated. Yes refuse to refuse cancer treatment to smokers. As long as the person is sane enough to make a choice and they choose to indulge in excess amounts of unhealthy foods then they must suffer the consequences. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?I think people will change their lifestyles extremely quickly when they realize they can't afford the treatment.(Original post by rachaelizabeth)
At the end of the day, this is true. But the idea was to discuss how to tackle the problem, and this would just leave it in the current state. And continue costing the NHS billions...
There isn't a solution, really. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?While I agree on principle, we all suffer from the effects of obesity. We would have a much more effective NHS if obesity wasn't costing billions every year. Surely it's in all our interests, purely on a selfish level, to limit obesity?(Original post by . . .)
And I don't agree with it.
Depends what the causes of self harm is if it is metal illness or genetics then they should be treated if it is alcohol or other drug misuse then no they shouldn't be treated. Yes refuse to refuse cancer treatment to smokers. As long as the person is sane enough to make a choice and they choose to indulge in excess amounts of unhealthy foods then they must suffer the consequences. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?They most definitely will, when the NHS start refusing more people due to cost.(Original post by . . .)
I think people will change their lifestyles extremely quickly when they realize they can't afford the treatment.
It's ridiculous: I've heard of individuals who got told that they had to be fatter to receive NHS funding because they didn't reach the criteria or something - so what did they do? They actually made an effort to put more weight on, as opposed to losing it. Mad, eh?Last edited by rachaelizabeth; 18-07-2012 at 14:05. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?If people are left to deal with the costs of obesity when it is self inflicted people will learn extremely quickly. Lifestyles will change quickly when their life is literally on the line. Cost to the NHS will fall so more money would be redistributed to other areas of the NHS were there is need.(Original post by Dfurness)
While I agree on principle, we all suffer from the effects of obesity. We would have a much more effective NHS if obesity wasn't costing billions every year. Surely it's in all our interests, purely on a selfish level, to limit obesity? -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?What's truly shocking is the reasons people come up with for not losing weight.(Original post by rachaelizabeth)
They most definitely will, when the NHS start refusing more people due to cost.
It's ridiculous: I've heard of individuals who got told that they had to be fatter to receive NHS funding because they didn't reach the criteria or something - so what did they do? They actually made an effort to put more weight on, as opposed to loosing it. Mad, eh? -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?I think it's perfectly possible. Why do you think it's impossible?(Original post by Freiheit)
Anyone else think the obesity battle is impossible to win? -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?Perhaps when eating healthily is equal or less costly than eating eating junk. When you can buy a Mcdonalds meal for £2 which costs the same as a punnet of strawberries, anyone guessing what the majority of people will choose if money is tight?
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?This. A pound for a mango here while you can get 5 mangos for less than a pound in Kenya(Original post by KickingKat88)
Perhaps when eating healthily is equal or less costly than eating eating junk. When you can buy a Mcdonalds meal for £2 which costs the same as a punnet of strawberries, anyone guessing what the majority of people will choose if money is tight?
I have been there.
Last edited by onda; 18-07-2012 at 14:31. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?I dont support obesity but this type of banter is not funny in the least.(Original post by rcummins1)
Just think how much more tourism London would get if the Thames was full of fat people just bobbing up n down. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?There are too many factors that are difficult to change. I will list several but this is my opinion:(Original post by . . .)
I think it's perfectly possible. Why do you think it's impossible?
- The average adult is too busy working so many hours per week and many parents have time constraints because of childcare. This affects the older people who are the ones who would benefit the most.
- Some people also lack the discipline to exercise regularly.Women in particular seem to have a negative outlooks towards P.E and fitness.
- The gyms in my area charge ridiculous prices for memberships which many students cannot afford.
- Healthy food outlets usually advertise more, are much cheaper, more accessible and are considered to taste better compared to more healthy food. For example, chocolate against health cereals and McD against a healthy salad.
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?Did you watch the programme the over night about your 5-a-day.
Like with cigarettes, I think unhealthy things shouldn't be advertised. That way we are less encouraged to go out and get them. I also think they should be in plain packaging that also doesn't attract people. Kids especially can be attracted by sweets in colourful packaging.
The only problem is, what counts as unhealthy!?!?!?!
On that programme, they made cookies with fruit in, that are apparantly healthy, but they have a tonne of sugar and fat in them! These are the kinds of foods that would cause a problem. They have healthy things in them such as fruit or veg, or they might be low in say sugar, but then have (nearly) all of your daily salt intake or a huge amount of fat.Last edited by Clare~Bear; 18-07-2012 at 14:56. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?I think I know which programme you're talking about, it said that an Innocent Smoothie drink which is advertised to contain 2 portions of our 5- a- day was actually more suggary than a can of Coke(Original post by Clare~Bear)
Did you watch the programme the over night about your 5-a-day.
Like with cigarettes, I think unhealthy things shouldn't be advertised. That way we are less encouraged to go out and get them. I also think they should be in plain packaging that also doesn't attract people.
The only problem is, what counts as unhealthy!?!?!?!
On that programme, they made cookies with fruit in, that are apparantly healthy, but they have a tonne of sugar and fat in them! These are the kinds of foods that would cause a problem. They have healthy things in them such as fruit or veg, or they might be low in say sugar, but then have (nearly) all of your daily salt intake or a huge amount of fat. -
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Re: How do we tackle the obesity crisis?And that those new fruity drinks from mcdonalds contain 7 teaspoons of sugar in a serving!(Original post by wolf-pack)
I think I know which programme you're talking about, it said that an Innocent Smoothie drink which is advertised to contain 2 portions of our 5- a- day was actually more suggary than a can of Coke
It was on channel 4 I think - the truth about your 5 a day, or soemthing along those lines.
I have been there.
