A real solution to tackling obesity
Today, England's CMO has recommended banning "snacking" on public transport. This is ridiculous, just as it is also ridiculous to ban advertisements on public transport that promote unhealthy eating. For starters, the majority of people in this country own a car and so will not be using public transport. Secondly, who is going to enforce this ban? Will the British Transport police fine or arrest people for eating their favourite delicacy on the Underground?
What needs to happen, and I say this as a socialist, is that either somehow we need to ration the amount of unhealthy food people are allowed, or, have campaigns that actively "fat shame" people. Now this is of course morally questionable. A lot of people in my own family are obsese, however the most obese person in my family is not obese because of being greedy, but rather because they cannot be active due to preexisting medical conditions. So of course we would need to be careful with such a campaign. Maybe a system where people's weight are recorded whenever they go to hospital. If they are found to be obese, and it is as the result of their own diet choices rather than any preexisting medical condition, they should potentially be charged for any medical services particuarly those as a direct result of their condiiton. It sounds harsh, but this radical method could work.
In addition to this, we should be banning advertisements and programs that promote "plus size" and other unhealthy lifestyles. "Plus size" is increasingly becoming an euphemism for obese. As terrible as it seems, if there is pressure on people in society to lose weight, they probably will. We should also stop putting unhealthy food on sale and instead offer fruit and vegetables.
Maybe those particuarly vulnerable to becoming obese such as those on benefits should be given tokens rather than money where they are only allowed a certain amount of food considererd to be unhealthy. Think about it! Tokens would be much better. It would also stop people from using that money to buy other things like drugs.
Feel free to comment below, I know I will have probably offended about half of TSR's users if not more regardless of whether they fit the obese category or not, especially considering today is World Mental Heath day, but it should be a national embarassment that we are becoming so fat.
What needs to happen, and I say this as a socialist, is that either somehow we need to ration the amount of unhealthy food people are allowed, or, have campaigns that actively "fat shame" people. Now this is of course morally questionable. A lot of people in my own family are obsese, however the most obese person in my family is not obese because of being greedy, but rather because they cannot be active due to preexisting medical conditions. So of course we would need to be careful with such a campaign. Maybe a system where people's weight are recorded whenever they go to hospital. If they are found to be obese, and it is as the result of their own diet choices rather than any preexisting medical condition, they should potentially be charged for any medical services particuarly those as a direct result of their condiiton. It sounds harsh, but this radical method could work.
In addition to this, we should be banning advertisements and programs that promote "plus size" and other unhealthy lifestyles. "Plus size" is increasingly becoming an euphemism for obese. As terrible as it seems, if there is pressure on people in society to lose weight, they probably will. We should also stop putting unhealthy food on sale and instead offer fruit and vegetables.
Maybe those particuarly vulnerable to becoming obese such as those on benefits should be given tokens rather than money where they are only allowed a certain amount of food considererd to be unhealthy. Think about it! Tokens would be much better. It would also stop people from using that money to buy other things like drugs.
Feel free to comment below, I know I will have probably offended about half of TSR's users if not more regardless of whether they fit the obese category or not, especially considering today is World Mental Heath day, but it should be a national embarassment that we are becoming so fat.
All for banning advertisement, who wants to be bombarded with advertisment anyway, but banning "snacking" on public transport won't acheive anything but stoke animosity towards the obese, i'm still bitter about losing sugary drinks, just ban the obese from eating on public transport if you must(no less unworkable), leave those at a health weight alone.
Many obese people get a raw deal. There is so many factors involved in someone becoming overweight. Some have real emotional difficulties and problems. Like the flip side of anorexia for some but never will they receive the same compassion or understanding. No one would suggest someone with anorexia should just use will power and eat. Or hammer into them what they are costing the NHS money etc.
The way people feel entitled to judge others and appoint blame is a far far bigger embarrassment.
The way people feel entitled to judge others and appoint blame is a far far bigger embarrassment.
Original post by BeanBeliever
Many obese people get a raw deal. There is so many factors involved in someone becoming overweight. Some have real emotional difficulties and problems. Like the flip side of anorexia for some but never will they receive the same compassion or understanding. No one would suggest someone with anorexia should just use will power and eat. Or hammer into them what they are costing the NHS money etc.
The way people feel entitled to judge others and appoint blame is a far far bigger embarrassment.
The way people feel entitled to judge others and appoint blame is a far far bigger embarrassment.
People with anorexia are often threatened with sectioning, would you like to see the same happen with obese people?
the gym hun
No. You miss my point. I suggest you read it again. Actually it's quite ironic that you jump to such an assumption.
Original post by BeanBeliever
No. You miss my point. I suggest you read it again. Actually it's quite ironic that you jump to such an assumption.
You compared the way we treat people with anorexia to those with obesity, you seem to be of the opinion that we treat those with anorexia better, if we section the underweight i see no reason why we shouldn't also section the overweight, it is to help them after all. Are you agaisnt sectioning for anorexia?
What's that Skippy? Weight shaming might actually just cause more health problems?
Sounds like a terrible idea.
Sounds like a terrible idea.
No I think sectioning is appropriate when a person's mental illness can put their life in danger.
Original post by BeanBeliever
Many obese people get a raw deal. There is so many factors involved in someone becoming overweight. Some have real emotional difficulties and problems. Like the flip side of anorexia for some but never will they receive the same compassion or understanding. No one would suggest someone with anorexia should just use will power and eat. Or hammer into them what they are costing the NHS money etc.
The way people feel entitled to judge others and appoint blame is a far far bigger embarrassment.
The way people feel entitled to judge others and appoint blame is a far far bigger embarrassment.
I mean, I'm diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and a psychiatrist told me to "just eat" and to stop wasting their time. So yes it does happen.
Have a constructive policy. Shaming people who are overweight is not helpful, but schools could be encouraged to do a lot more to promote healthy eating.
- Supermarkets and food chains need to make genuinely healthy food affordable for most people.
- More taxes on unhealthy food producers, and more incentives for them to produce better quality foods.
-More promotion of realistic goals, and easily attainable means of achieving those goals.
- Supermarkets and food chains need to make genuinely healthy food affordable for most people.
- More taxes on unhealthy food producers, and more incentives for them to produce better quality foods.
-More promotion of realistic goals, and easily attainable means of achieving those goals.
Original post by BeanBeliever
No I think sectioning is appropriate when a person's mental illness can put their life in danger.
So you support sectioning in the most severe cases of obesity where "emotional difficulties and problems" are also apparent?
(edited 4 years ago)
Yes. if a doctor thought their condition could put their life in immediate danger. Sectioning is not carried out without good cause. Its aim is compassion not punishment.
Original post by Ferrograd
, or, have campaigns that actively "fat shame" people.
Getting tired of this. Proven not to work and only seems to appease the smug none obese.
1) Sugar, Salt, Saturated Fat and Calorie Tax - If a food goes above 25g per 100g then slap a tax on the production of said food item. The producer will then have an incentive to either not sell the product or recreate the formula. Same for beverages but set it at 10g per 100g.
2) Meat Tax - Meat contains more calories than veg. Tax the consumption rather production here and the increased cost will push people to base their main meals around non-meat items.
3) It's harsh but perhaps consider weight limits for certain public services. Consider for example reducing welfare payments (child benefit ect..) where the individual exceeds say 280lb (even your beefy Dwayne Johnson types don't approach that).
4) Parents with obese children between the ages of 10-16 should receive fines in a similar manner to truanting. Children are fat at that age generally because either their parents are spoiling them or because the children are lazy. Start fining parents and you will soon see them drag their children out for an hours walk (and in turn benefit themselves).
- In essence (and i say this having been skinny and fat and now relatively average) the state is far too lenient on people.
2) Meat Tax - Meat contains more calories than veg. Tax the consumption rather production here and the increased cost will push people to base their main meals around non-meat items.
3) It's harsh but perhaps consider weight limits for certain public services. Consider for example reducing welfare payments (child benefit ect..) where the individual exceeds say 280lb (even your beefy Dwayne Johnson types don't approach that).
4) Parents with obese children between the ages of 10-16 should receive fines in a similar manner to truanting. Children are fat at that age generally because either their parents are spoiling them or because the children are lazy. Start fining parents and you will soon see them drag their children out for an hours walk (and in turn benefit themselves).
- In essence (and i say this having been skinny and fat and now relatively average) the state is far too lenient on people.
Original post by Rakas21
1) Sugar, Salt, Saturated Fat and Calorie Tax - If a food goes above 25g per 100g then slap a tax on the production of said food item. The producer will then have an incentive to either not sell the product or recreate the formula. Same for beverages but set it at 10g per 100g.
2) Meat Tax - Meat contains more calories than veg. Tax the consumption rather production here and the increased cost will push people to base their main meals around non-meat items.
3) It's harsh but perhaps consider weight limits for certain public services. Consider for example reducing welfare payments (child benefit ect..) where the individual exceeds say 280lb (even your beefy Dwayne Johnson types don't approach that).
4) Parents with obese children between the ages of 10-16 should receive fines in a similar manner to truanting. Children are fat at that age generally because either their parents are spoiling them or because the children are lazy. Start fining parents and you will soon see them drag their children out for an hours walk (and in turn benefit themselves).
- In essence (and i say this having been skinny and fat and now relatively average) the state is far too lenient on people.
2) Meat Tax - Meat contains more calories than veg. Tax the consumption rather production here and the increased cost will push people to base their main meals around non-meat items.
3) It's harsh but perhaps consider weight limits for certain public services. Consider for example reducing welfare payments (child benefit ect..) where the individual exceeds say 280lb (even your beefy Dwayne Johnson types don't approach that).
4) Parents with obese children between the ages of 10-16 should receive fines in a similar manner to truanting. Children are fat at that age generally because either their parents are spoiling them or because the children are lazy. Start fining parents and you will soon see them drag their children out for an hours walk (and in turn benefit themselves).
- In essence (and i say this having been skinny and fat and now relatively average) the state is far too lenient on people.
I agree, but at the same time some people are fat because they can't afford healthy food, but in general you are correct
Original post by Ferrograd
I agree, but at the same time some people are fat because they can't afford healthy food, but in general you are correct
That is a misnomer albeit common.
Most meat food items are a pack of 2/4 for say £2, most items of veg give you 3-5 for the same price.
The problem is that most people don't plan meals or fry rather than grill ect..
A panini in most cases will cost about the same as the burger.
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