Obesity

[Milky]

But do you not go for a run occassionally? If so, great!!

But you are not obese, obviously. Is it not the obese parents that need to be 'educated'?

I think what is interesting so far, is that most people are edging towards the fact it is the parents fault. Fat breeds fat and so on. If that is the case, how do we stop obesity becoming the problem that it is forecast to be?

Not just you, Mablo - anyone?

Death penalty for the Obese? That would soon get the wasters into shape. The human race should be so much better than this.

[BigGibbo]

Death penalty for the Obese? That would soon get the wasters into shape. The human race should be so much better than this.

Well i was only fat until a nasty accident & the events following which was out of my control & now im obese trying to get back down to fat so what penalty do i get

[Rincewind]

I mix it up. I am eating biscuits at the moment the tin is always at the side of my chair. I am going to take a 40 min walk to work stopping off at a watering hole for half a shandy ( ) on the way. At work I do a 20 min patrol then make a cheese toastie. Throughout the night I will do about 8 o9 more 10-20 min patrols. I have packed a Kate and Sydney pie (Fray Bentos) for later. We have a cooker. At 3am I will walk home missing out my half a shandy cos nowhere is open. Then I go bed until 11am ready to start my hectic day all over.

I regard myself as big-boned. On my mothers side there was a fair bit of overweightiness around and she always put it down to the bone structure that was in our genes. Saying that I have one brother that has always been on the skinny side and he's the one of the family that doesn't like salads. Work that one out.

[Milky]

Well i was only fat until a nasty accident & the events following which was out of my control & now im obese trying to get back down to fat so what penalty do i get

Let the jury decide.

Perhaps they could put you in quarantine. It'd be expensive on the tax payer, but you have to weigh that up against the money you'll cost us in health care.

[Raj]

Im gonna be serious now.

My heart goes out to fat people who have problems(albeit mentally or physically) who just cant lose weight.

I have a cousin who weight about 13 stone yet she is only 12.

Her parents have tried EVERYTHING to sort her out,even sending her to India for 6 months away from them

She actiually doesn't eat much and the Doctors cant find ANYTHING wrong with her.

They despair as they realise she may die before she is 20.

So we may all have a laugh and joke about obese people BUT we should remember that some just cant lose the weight.

Like we would never say(unless you are David Villa) i hate all Welsh people,we shouldn't simplify things and say i hate all fat people.

Mind you Fatty's that are just lazy and eat loads....dont fcuking get me started

[andyh1884]

I've had the shits for almost a week & lost almost 6 pounds.

Maybe we need to inject obese people with stomach bugs & watch the excess literally fall out of them, although whether the water authorities could cope is an entirely different matter

[Monk]

Right, time for Monk to get involved, I do love these socio-economic conundrums.

First off, this is not about blame. This is a cultural problem that has been driven by profiteering companies and lack of government action.

You cannot relate this to the smoking ban. That was brought about because of health risks to surrounding people. This is not the case with obesity as someone mentioned. Its also not enough to simply say 'well its because people are lazy'.

The fact of the matter is that junk food is too cheap and too easily accessible, and it will continue to be until the government makes an economic disincentive either to the manufacturers (preferrable) or to the consumer.

I for one do not want to see a company like Mr Kipling go under because of fines etc, but if it were told to improve the health of its products or face significantly higher tax (as for greenhouse emissions) then they'd follow the most profitable route - healthier products, lower taxes.

The problem then turns to excercise, which to many people is non existent. I agree with whats been said on the BBC website in that society now has to take time out of a normal day to excercise whereas in 1970 we were walking about more etc. There are loads of incentives the government could use here to encourage people. No point in me listing them, but so long as theyre not 'banning' things or getting too involved in peoples day to day lives then its OK.

Thats my 2 cents

[Milky]

So we may all have a laugh and joke about obese people BUT we should remember that some just cant lose the weight.

Can't lose weight! , that's bullshit. Considering the way the human body works everyone can lose it.

I'm just going to throw something else into the ring. Not enough sport in schools.

[andyh1884]

You cannot relate this to the smoking ban. That was brought about because of health risks to surrounding people. This is not the case with obesity as someone mentioned. Its also not enough to simply say 'well its because people are lazy'.

It'd seriously damage your health if a fatty stood near you toppled over with a heart attack & landed on you

[Kent Fox]

Well i was only fat until a nasty accident & the events following which was out of my control & now im obese trying to get back down to fat so what penalty do i get

I was going to ask the question about FT'ers sizing later, but seeing as it's come up..

Who amongst is is obese? What do you do to help control / reduce it, if anything. Are you just content the way you are? Who do you think should be to blame for the perceived problem? If anyone?

Likewise fat, not obese people - I fall into this category. Similar to Nightguard (I think it was) stand at 5'11" and weigh in at just under 15 stone. I don't look fat, but I know I am and I am trying to lose a bit.

It's all too easy to say to them, lose weight, diet, exercise. But clearly many many people find the whole concept difficult!

Like, long-term smokers, perhaps it is too late to save many now. But steps surely need to be taken to help the younger ones avoid falling into the obesity trap???

[Geo V]

Well i was only fat until a nasty accident & the events following which was out of my control & now im obese trying to get back down to fat so what penalty do i get

A seat at the local all you can eat buffet!

I have struggled with my weight since breaking an ankle kick-boxing years ago. I got down to my perfect weight and then broke it again playing football and since messed it up boxing but I have to train bloomin hard or else I`d easily be the Cypriot Pavarotti. Even now I worry when training that the ankle doesn't go again or else it will be months of inactivity!

BTW I have another fantastic solution. Remember when Shane Warne was banned from cricket for taking some pill that was deemed as illegal but it made him lose weight? I'm not sure if it was a diarrhetic available over the counter or a prescription drug but all obese people should use what he had and have the shites for a few months.

[BigGibbo]

Let the jury decide.

Perhaps they could put you in quarantine. It'd be expensive on the tax payer, but you have to weigh that up against the money you'll cost us in health care.

The only money ive cost this country in healthcare or anything was due to this accident that in a ironic twist would mean if i didn't already have extra padding i would have lost my leg so would of cost more anyway + the fact i had been paying hefty tax since the age of 15 (possibly illegal while i awas 15 ) meant i have more than paid for it!

Also i don't trust or like doctors for various reasons & the only ones i will use are bupa which is nothing to do with the NHS (thank god)

As for the future well its a fooking painful nightmare but i'll get there eventually

[Raj]

Well i was only fat until a nasty accident & the events following which was out of my control & now im obese trying to get back down to fat so what penalty do i get

I've met Mr Gibbo and he IS big.

He is a bloody decent chap and i wouldn't want him anything but Big!

Can't lose weight! , that's bullshit. Considering the way the human body works everyone can lose it.

I'm just going to throw something else into the ring. Not enough sport in schools.

You do talk some shit sometimes!

Thats like saying Skinny people CAN all put on weight

[Kent Fox]

Right, time for Monk to get involved, I do love these socio-economic conundrums.

First off, this is not about blame. This is a cultural problem that has been driven by profiteering companies and lack of government action.

You cannot relate this to the smoking ban. That was brought about because of health risks to surrounding people. This is not the case with obesity as someone mentioned. Its also not enough to simply say 'well its because people are lazy'.

The fact of the matter is that junk food is too cheap and too easily accessible, and it will continue to be until the government makes an economic disincentive either to the manufacturers (preferrable) or to the consumer.

I for one do not want to see a company like Mr Kipling go under because of fines etc, but if it were told to improve the health of its products or face significantly higher tax (as for greenhouse emissions) then they'd follow the most profitable route - healthier products, lower taxes.

The problem then turns to excercise, which to many people is non existent. I agree with whats been said on the BBC website in that society now has to take time out of a normal day to excercise whereas in 1970 we were walking about more etc. There are loads of incentives the government could use here to encourage people. No point in me listing them, but so long as theyre not 'banning' things or getting too involved in peoples day to day lives then its OK.

Thats my 2 cents

Good points, Monk. I agree with it all except the smoking part. I have already said that alongside the risks to others, it was aimed for around a third of smokers to give up. I think that is right.. My point in using that ban as relative was that the Gov't made up people's minds for them by supporting and introducing a ban. That's fine. But if the Gov't can intervene on that issue, why can't they intervene on this issue. The similarities between smoking and obesity are irrelevant - it was th Gov't intervention I was getting at.

Can't lose weight! , that's bullshit. Considering the way the human body works everyone can lose it.

I'm just going to throw something else into the ring. Not enough sport in schools.

Frankly, MJ, you are wrong. Medically, there are illnesses that do not allow people to lose weight very easily at all. But I agree with your point about not enough sport. This is an area whereby the Gov't CAN do something positive. I had loads going on at school - my daughter gets next to nothing.

[Jon the Hat]

I'm just going to throw something else into the ring. Not enough sport in schools.

That's the one. There should be an hour of sport everyday in school. Plus the reduction in crap kids are allowed to eat while they are there. No crisps, no chocolate, no fizzy drinks, no chips. etc. There are plenty of healthy foods they can serve. Eat or don't eat. This is one area the Government should legislate on.

[Kent Fox]

The only money ive cost this country in healthcare or anything was due to this accident that in a ironic twist would mean if i didn't already have extra padding i would have lost my leg so would of cost more anyway + the fact i had been paying hefty tax since the age of 15 (possibly illegal while i awas 15 ) meant i have more than paid for it!

Also i don't trust or like doctors for various reasons & the only ones i will use are bupa which is nothing to do with the NHS (thank god)

As for the future well its a fooking painful nightmare but i'll get there eventually

As a quick aside that I don't want to dwell on here.. many, not all but many consultants at BUPA are from the NHS. Fact. I am sure you have your reasons for distrust and i don't want to know them. I just thought I'd dispel that myth.

Good luck with the future, pal.

[Milky]

Frankly, MJ, you are wrong. Medically, there are illnesses that do not allow people to lose weight very easily at all. But I agree with your point about not enough sport. This is an area whereby the Gov't CAN do something positive. I had loads going on at school - my daughter gets next to nothing.

Whether it's easy or not is irrelevant. I'm talking about basic biology. Every human being can lose weight.

[Manwell Pablo]

That's the one. There should be an hour of sport everyday in school. Plus the reduction in crap kids are allowed to eat while they are there. No crisps, no chocolate, no fizzy drinks, no chips. etc. There are plenty of healthy foods they can serve. Eat or don't eat. This is one area the Government should legislate on.

They've already reduced the amount of shit sold in school canteens. But the sport thing = very good idea.

Kent Fox, Educated you say, I'd be pretty concerned if the majority of the population don't relise Lots of shit food and no exercise = fat. I understand that some peoples make up are different and that but these claims that the majority of us will become fat unless the governmant steps in, I don't buy it.

[Milky]

You do talk some shit sometimes!

Thats like saying Skinny people CAN all put on weight

All skinny people can put on weight though. Take on more energy than you use up. Basic stuff.

[Rincewind]

As somebody said fast food is cheap and easily gotten hold of. Look at the price of veggies saugages compared to 2 for one at Tescos. Would a parent on a low income opt for the higher priced option? Items with lower calories and no sugar added cost more. Why if they contain less? I find that things with less calories are smaller portions. Food manufacturers make health foods as a side-line so do not care about how they price them as they make their money off the mass-produced stuff which they lower the price to attrat more customers. They gear their selling tecnique to public demand so if the public want obese they give it to them big style.

[Kent Fox]

Whether it's easy or not is irrelevant. I'm talking about basic biology. Every human being can lose weight.

OK - in theory, you are correct. But, you should acknowledge that there are medical conditions whereby it cannot be lost. The body does not allow it. I don't want this thread to go into an argument here, but sometimes it is not just about basic biology.

Let's move on

[Kent Fox]

They've already reduced the amount of shit sold in school canteens. But the sport thing = very good idea.

Kent Fox, Educated you say, I'd be pretty concerned if the majority of the population don't relise Lots of shit food and no exercise = fat. I understand that some peoples make up are different and that but these claims that the majority of us will become fat unless the governmant steps in, I don't buy it.

Whether it is simply a case of realising it or not, the problem is getting worse. Perhaps it is the cost of crap food vs veggies. Perhaps basic cookery skills are not learned anymore - I don't know the answers.

But if we are to believe that this is likely to affect us or our children, it has to be defined. There MUST be reasons WHY it is getting worse.

Surely it's not too presumptious to say that some people are so under-educated that they do think fast food is an ok part of their everyday living. I think that is plausible - not the be-all and end-all, just plausible.

[BigGibbo]

I was going to ask the question about FT'ers sizing later, but seeing as it's come up..

Who amongst is is obese? What do you do to help control / reduce it, if anything. Are you just content the way you are? Who do you think should be to blame for the perceived problem? If anyone?

Likewise fat, not obese people - I fall into this category. Similar to Nightguard (I think it was) stand at 5'11" and weigh in at just under 15 stone. I don't look fat, but I know I am and I am trying to lose a bit.

It's all too easy to say to them, lose weight, diet, exercise. But clearly many many people find the whole concept difficult!

Like, long-term smokers, perhaps it is too late to save many now. But steps surely need to be taken to help the younger ones avoid falling into the obesity trap???

Obese yes morbidly!

I am very far from content how i am!

I try to do everything i can i do as much active work as my leg can take (due to accident its alot less than normal).

I don't eat as much as i'd like apart from the odd occasion when i give up & start feeling sorry for myself like a tw@t but i snap out of it quickly.

I refuse to put blame to anyone as thats a big sign of weakness but it is simple fact that alot more than nothing could of been done for me at certain points by certain people. Also the accident was 100% out of my control!

I live on my own & have very little contact with my Mum my Dad lives in skeggy & works all round the country so only phone contact & help with money from him, & because as a result of the accident & the company im taking for all its worth sacking me on the sick, I ended up losing my flat in my hometown & having to move away from my friends.

Although its only a few miles being in my current position & also not being able to drive means i rarely see them!

Last but not least my doctors have not ever helped me but have fobbed me off & insulted me too many times so i won't go back.

So all these factors don't help but at least it means with no help from anyone all the blame & plaudits of whatever i do are entirely with me

[Rincewind]

Well it says something about our society when mothers take their kids to McDonalds as a reward for eating all their greens.

[Kent Fox]

As somebody said fast food is cheap and easily gotten hold of. Look at the price of veggies saugages compared to 2 for one at Tescos. Would a parent on a low income opt for the higher priced option? Items with lower calories and no sugar added cost more. Why if they contain less? I find that things with less calories are smaller portions. Food manufacturers make health foods as a side-line so do not care about how they price them as they make their money off the mass-produced stuff which they lower the price to attrat more customers. They gear their selling tecnique to public demand so if the public want obese they give it to them big style.

And yet another very valid point. I could offer up something along the lines of "is it just people on low income that are obese?", but I won't

I do agree with you.

But thinking back to my Grandma's day.. they didn't do low fat this, less sugar that. They used lard to cook, not olive oil. They seemed healthy enough then and lived to a good age.

Perhaps it's the way we cook as well these days. Which brings us back to blame the modern culture, doesn't it??