Obese? Don't worry, it's not your fault?

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

Again, I agree, but taking action to attempt to bring about lower levels of obesity is, simply, a good thing. If people choose not to heed it, that's up to them; nobody is forcing them into it. However, some things are just good for people and some aren't.

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This is the main aspect that makes me differ in opinion. I do agree that in the public health system, obesity or any other specific medical problem creates a greater strain on the system. But really, anyone other than a perfectly healthy person creates a strain above that healthy person, and any system funded by all is created to share risk and financial strain.

An overweight person with private insurance will pay more for that insurance, just as a smoker would. Likewise a person with a record of speeding tickets and accidents will pay more for insurance on a vehicle.

There are burdens on the public systems that are far greater than people than people overeating in my opinion. Just as with most public systems, that is why I feel that individuals should be more responsible for themselves.

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Originally Posted by airshifter

This is the main aspect that makes me differ in opinion. I do agree that in the public health system, obesity or any other specific medical problem creates a greater strain on the system. But really, anyone other than a perfectly healthy person creates a strain above that healthy person, and any system funded by all is created to share risk and financial strain.

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Fair point, but no-one is suggesting an outright ban on unhealthy foods. That would be going too far.

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Originally Posted by airshifter

There are burdens on the public systems that are far greater than people than people overeating in my opinion.

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There are, but it is possible for governments to deal with more than one problem at once.

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Originally Posted by airshifter

Just as with most public systems, that is why I feel that individuals should be more responsible for themselves.

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I think the talk in relation to obesity is actually aimed at making people be more responsible for themselves, and, in particular, responsible towards themselves. The latter is also important.

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Originally Posted by airshifter

An overweight person with private insurance will pay more for that insurance, just as a smoker would. Likewise a person with a record of speeding tickets and accidents will pay more for insurance on a vehicle.

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That's classic "USA view". It happens that in most other countries there is free health for everybody, courtesy of the taxpayers. In that situation, ways of life that will make it harder for the system to cope should be addressed.

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Originally Posted by airshifter

There are burdens on the public systems that are far greater than people than people overeating in my opinion. Just as with most public systems, that is why I feel that individuals should be more responsible for themselves.

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Of course, and precisely because of that there is a lot of campaigning against tobacco, alcohol, drugs, etc. Why not campaigning against obesity.

By the way, just in case, I'm obese myself. But I fight against it, and I don't really feel it "my right" to be like that. It's a bad example for my daughters and a risk to my health, the same that tobacco, drugs, or alcohol would. The good news is that I've lost 5kg on the last two months :)

Tinchote,

I understand that in countries with public provided healthcare it's a different burden, but unless everything unhealthy is stopped, the burden exists in some other form does it not?

I guess it's just a matter of viewpoint. Though I'm not overweight, I smoke. I feel it's my right to do so as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others. I pay more for my insurance, and accept that as a penalty for my choice.

I don't overeat, and I'm not overweight. I'm probably in better physical shape than a lot of people half my age.

I hardly ever drink alcohol at all, and never drive when I've had something to drink.

I've worked my entire life and paid taxes to support all kinds of things.

I feel that it's my right to take a risk to my health if it's something I enjoy. And I also feel that if people start picking and choosing what rights we no longer have, it will just be a matter of time before we all have none.



I'm cutting back on my smoking too Tin, must for the same reasons. My primary motivation is my daughter, who I've stressed the importance of not starting such a bad habit to.

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Originally Posted by airshifter

Tinchote,

I understand that in countries with public provided healthcare it's a different burden, but unless everything unhealthy is stopped, the burden exists in some other form does it not?

(...)

I'm cutting back on my smoking too Tin, must for the same reasons. My primary motivation is my daughter, who I've stressed the importance of not starting such a bad habit to.

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Fair points :)

I guess that we agree that one of the governments' responsibility is to care for the well-being of its citizens. And so, it is reasonable to fight (with advertising, treatment, etc.) things that most likely reduce the quality of life of people.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

...... I wish I found it easier to take the necessary steps to lose weight, but I am well aware that I ought to. I'm certainly not saying that we should be unpleasant or prejudiced on this issue, but recent statistics prove that it is a growing problem for society. Therefore, it is right to highlight it.

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And the study cited in the article at the top of this thread is a reference to precisely that. At least, that's how I understood it. No-one in the article says it's not someone's fault, but rather that it's very difficult for people to individually do anything about it.

The forces at work, the bad habits, the self-esteem problems, you have to be really very strong to overcome the downers and not just give up. And as PerditaX demonstrates, it's more about finding the weight you're happy with as yourself than trying to adhere to an external standard.

I have no problem with adults like Perdita_X choosing a certain lifestyle, knowing that it may be detrimental to their health. I just hope that parents with a similar lifestyle are making appropriate choices for their children :mark:

You won't get shot down in flames with me Dave, I'm a lard @rse and wilfully scarf chocolate! I do eat salads and fruit - they are not banned in my life!