14 comments

• 

  CM'Blog

  1 year ago

  Hi. I’m looking to build up incoming links for my blog. Would you like to exchange blogroll links with me? If yes, please visit: http://greatdebater.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/wh... and leave your URL there. The purpose of my blog is to generate debate on anything and everything that matters.
  reply
• 

  Andrew S.

  1 year ago

  Lol, the 'cute fat kitty' picture made the article!
  reply
• 

  DR

  1 year ago

  Interesting topic that is generating some very interesting responses. I have been reading the comments on TPPs recent posts on obesity and cholesterol drugs for 8 yr old kids. Very emotional responses.
  
  My blog post - http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/yo... - on the comments made by UK opposition leader David Cameron has resulted in some interesting comments as well
  
  We have a real personal responsibility v.s. social conscience argument going on.
  
  The the cute fat kitty as well
  reply
• 

  Alicia O.

  1 year ago

  haha, I wanted to tone down the seriousness with a cute kitty pic.
  reply
• 

  McBloggenstein

  1 year ago

  Great post! I have dedicated my blog to discussing these types of things.
  
  

  Why should our government be offering penalties and incentives for people’s health decisions? It’s like people are dogs that need to be trained and taxed."

  
  Is this really much different than requiring all drivers to wear seatbelts, or motorcyclists to wear helmets, or telling cigarette companies they can't advertise to children, or making the legal drinking age 21, or banning trans-fats in some restaurants?
  
  I think it's just another example of our government stepping in with their attempt at having our best interests in mind. A concern for a society's general well-being and need for improvement.
  
  If an employer offered a bonus if you stopped smoking and joined a gym, I think a lot of people would do it, if not just seriously consider it. What's wrong with that? Isn't this a win-win situation? The employer's health care costs will be down, and the employee's health will be improved. The only reason for anyone to be upset about that deal is if an egotistical and sensitive employee complained that their employer was telling them how they should live their life. Of course, it's all in how you look at things. If that employee takes that offer in a negative way, they will probably play the victim card in a lot of other areas of their life, which translates to not taking responsibility for ones own actions.
  
  What do you think?
  reply
• 

  Alicia O.

  1 year ago

  "Is this really much different than requiring all drivers to wear seatbelts, or motorcyclists to wear helmets, or telling cigarette companies they can’t advertise to children, or making the legal drinking age 21, or banning trans-fats in some restaurants?"
  
  I guess it's not, in some ways it's not much different...except I don't believe that the government should necessarily need to intervene in some of those things (i.e. requiring drivers to wear seatbelts...if someone doesn't wear a seatbelt, isn't that his problem?) I guess I'm still trying to decide how much impact the gov't should really have in our lives. I'm not against gov't, I just don't really think the gov't can tell people what their weight should be, or mandate a certain weight. Their policies should legislate that certain harmful foods don't make it out on the market (have you noticed how high fructose corn syrup is in EVERYTHING?).
  
  I suppose in some ways, it's just a little scary to think the government could start weighing and measuring us all--would they know where to draw the line? Or would it just turn into some Nazi-creating-the-ultimate-race thing? Isn't it partly government policies that created the obesity problem (i.e. suburbanization). We also receive conflicting info on fats and carbs--the gov't outlawed certain kinds of fat, then companies started using trans fats. Now they say no trans fats...so it's just some other kind of fat.
  
  I'm not totally against companies doing weight-loss challenges. As a matter of fact, my sister participated in one at work. But, I think companies actions are different from those of the federal or state gov't.
  
  We all have responsibilities to ourselves and families--one of those is to stay healthy. If the government actually cares about our health, that's one thing. But to me, it just seems like they are worried about the U.S.'s rep for being a nation of fatties. It also seems like there is some clash with the American work ethic ideal (that you somehow must be thin to be productive...)
  
  I don't know, I'm out of ideas. But it's fun to talk about. I appreciate the response!
  reply
• 

  Nathan

  1 year ago

  I dont see why there shouldnt be some sort of "scale" (Excuse the word) in order to incentivise people accepting universal health care to live a healthier lifestyle if your X% body fat and such ....
  
  Or maybe you work it the other way, people with better health get a tax credit? The better health your in, the larger of a credit you receive?
  reply
• 

  McBloggenstein

  1 year ago

  I agree, I'm also hesitant as to how much I feel comfortable with the government intervening in certain areas. I definately don't think that they should tell us what our BMI's should be, like in Japan, but incentives to provide some encouragement sound great to me.
  
  Of course, what one person sees as encouragement, another person sees as "big brother" telling them what to do. You can't please everyone.
  
  Unfortunately, government policies have definately encouraged poor diet and sedentary behavior. I recommend reading this post. I also talk about high fructose corn syrup in a few of my posts.
  
  I don't think so much that they're worried about being one of (no longer THE) fattest countries in the world. More like what you said about improving work productivity. I have read many studies that showed increased productivity when subjects exercised just a little bit each week. Better mental functioning, alertness, and multi-tasking. Also worth mentioning are studies that show children perform much better in school when they have a proper breakfast and a healthy lunch, void of sweet sodas and snack foods throughout the day. It's sad, but poor parenting sometimes needs to be supplemented with governmental "suggestions", or policies.
  reply
• 

  maleesha

  1 year ago

  Poverty and obesity are tightly linked in many areas. I don't think we can start "punishing" folks for their "bad decisions" until the costs of a red pepper or a bag of organic salad is as cheap as a Big Mac and fries. Also, agreed we must find ways to rid the food supply of HFCS which is not meant to be consumed by the human body in the quantities it does. Like many problems we have to attack the multiple root causes, not the symptoms.
  reply
• 

  joynice

  1 year ago

  Hello!
  I am a lady of 22, I found you hear and picked interest in you.
  My name is Joy .I wish to be in love relationship with you
  and may be discover ourselves as real partners for life. Please send your email address in my inbox ;; And not site please
  With this email adderss( joy200muoka@yahoo.com )
  Thanks from my heart;
  Yours in love,
  Joy.
  reply
• 

  sean liebel

  12 months ago

  PLUMP PLUMP! FAT PEOPLE RUNNING THE WORLD!
  reply
• 

  Andrew S.

  12 months ago

  what kind of comment is that, Sean?
  reply
• 

  Spike

  11 months ago

  Poverty and obesity are tightly linked in many areas. I don’t think we can start “punishing” folks for their “bad decisions” until the costs of a red pepper or a bag of organic salad is as cheap as a Big Mac and fries. Also, agreed we must find ways to rid the food supply of HFCS which is not meant to be consumed by the human body in the quantities it does. Like many problems we have to attack the multiple root causes, not the symptoms.
  
  What she said.
  
  I am morbidly obese - partly because I lived on $20 for groceries a week for the first 25 years of my life, and partly for medical reasons (I was treated with steroids for a medical condition during my teenage years).
  
  I make every effort to follow healthy guidelines, but I agree, in many areas healthy food isn't always accessible or affordable. Thanks for reiterating that.
  reply
• 

  tigran777

  11 months ago

  thanks for the useful information.
  Some interesting new research by a doctor has identified several species of parasites and a specific type of goopy plaque that if left in your bowels makes you fat, bloated, developing a pouch and spare-tire belly.
  
  This is the cause of people’s obesity -- fortunately, this research also reveals how to stop it. It further explains that the same cause of why people get fat is also the same reason why people eventually get sick and die prematurely -- often cutting off years from their lives (not to mention the quality of their lives).
  
  People who flush these parasites out, often report rapid weight losses up to 100 lbs or more -- and without changing a single thing about their diets. Not that you need to lose anywhere near that amount... but it does prove how well it works.
  
  For more information please visit http://www.thefatlosssecret.blogspot.com/
  reply