Obesity a crushing weight on U.S. health care (OMG!!!! what a surprise!!!!)

[Peikko 1,575]

I think the Supersize Me guy was spot on when he highlighted the huge advertising budgets that the manufacturers of processed foods spend on promoting their products - a lot of it aimed directly at children.

There really needs more of an effort spend on educating people about proper nutrition at an earlier age and getting them into healthier eating habits. Public schools doing away with soda (and candy) vending machines and switching their catering suppliers to those that offer healthier options wouldn't be a bad start.

Start with telling people that a fast food chain's so-called "healthy menu" is nothing of the sort. You could introduce a pre-school curriculum that simply states "If you eat big macs and hot pockets you're going to be a fatty"

NPR did an extremely interesting piece at the weekend - not directly related to health, but effective strategies to improve the situation of people in poverty. Poverty traps exist and the only effective answer is to educate the parents to educate their pre schoolers (The stage is set for the adults, they only hope for change is their children) - it was fascinating, and sad at the same time. The differences between poor kids and middle class kids is staggering in terms of simple things like the number of different words they are exposed to, and encouragement. Fascinating and sad, and the same is probably true of educating to a healthy diet - it's very much environmentally dictated.

Edited August 17, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[*Robert* 2]

If insurance companies are so interested in keeping the population healthy, why do they not offer 'incentives' to get cheaper insurance if...

Also, why do they not offer some kind of co pay/free gym membership with the qualification being attendance to a minimum number of classes per week?

Why? Because they don't give a ** about how healthy the population, it's not their goal.

Certain companies offer incentives, because the healthier their employees, the less time they're off work, they are more productive, and it reduces their insurance costs.

[SuperDuper! 230]

I'm of normal weight for my ht. Considered thin by most measures. I'm tired of checking baggage into my flight, and paying a fine because it is heavier than allowed.

Meanwhile, the 320Lb man checking in behind me is not penalized for bringing all his excess weight onto the plane. I say passengers should be treated like cargo, and should pay for being heavier.

Obesity is effecting our society and culture everywhere we look, yet it remains the big pink elephant in the room that no one wants to address or talk about.

[Peikko 1,575]

If insurance companies are so interested in keeping the population healthy, why do they not offer 'incentives' to get cheaper insurance if...

Also, why do they not offer some kind of co pay/free gym membership with the qualification being attendance to a minimum number of classes per week?

Why? Because they don't give a ** about how healthy the population, it's not their goal.

Certain companies offer incentives, because the healthier their employees, the less time they're off work, they are more productive, and it reduces their insurance costs.

Which addresses my point how exactly? Companies have group leverage but of course you have to be an employee of that company. The health insurance companies themselves do not have the health of the individual as a priority or even a concern. They never have and they never will do because there doesn't seem to be enough profit in that.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If insurance companies are so interested in keeping the population healthy, why do they not offer 'incentives' to get cheaper insurance if...

Also, why do they not offer some kind of co pay/free gym membership with the qualification being attendance to a minimum number of classes per week?

Why? Because they don't give a ** about how healthy the population, it's not their goal.

Certain companies offer incentives, because the healthier their employees, the less time they're off work, they are more productive, and it reduces their insurance costs.

My company offers a gym reimbursement - but its pretty paltry. You spend up to $500 and they reimburse half of it - of course after tax what you get is about $130, and my gym membership isn't $500... If only.

[SuperDuper! 230]

If insurance companies are so interested in keeping the population healthy, why do they not offer 'incentives' to get cheaper insurance if...

Also, why do they not offer some kind of co pay/free gym membership with the qualification being attendance to a minimum number of classes per week?

Why? Because they don't give a ** about how healthy the population, it's not their goal.

Certain companies offer incentives, because the healthier their employees, the less time they're off work, they are more productive, and it reduces their insurance costs.

My company offers a gym reimbursement - but its pretty paltry. You spend up to $500 and they reimburse half of it - of course after tax what you get is about $130, and my gym membership isn't $500... If only.

But you are already totally ripped, dude. You don't need to spend much time in the gym. Word on the street says you even have a 12 pack. Sounds like you could whip the girly-men into shape. Go to DC and intimidate the CONgressmen into addressing obesity in our country.

[maliciant 7]

I think the 30% obese thing is wrong, I think 30% of the country is MORBIDLY OBESE... I'd say it's probably closer to 60% are significantly overweight.

Every time I see a seriously overweight fat kid... I just think holy #######... when I was in elementary we had one fat kid in our grade, something like maybe 1% or so and by todays standards, they wouldn't even be considered a fat kid. Admittedly a lot of those not fat kids have become fat adults... but still, it's a little depressing to see so many kids with man boobs...

I'll admit my own weight isn't exactly ideal... and even if I get to my own personal goal weight medically I'm still considered obese (even though at my ideal weight I'd be lean... curse my short stocky build for making my BMI sound unhealthy), but yikes... what'll it be like in another 20 years, I'm confident I'll still be around, will it be like seeing a 25' coiled phone cord every time I see a child with a normal body weight... (napolean dynomite for the really young ones that haven't seen a non-wireless phone, has an example of how we used to do things)

[Danno 1,228]

I think the Supersize Me guy was spot on when he highlighted the huge advertising budgets that the manufacturers of processed foods spend on promoting their products - a lot of it aimed directly at children.

There really needs more of an effort spend on educating people about proper nutrition at an earlier age and getting them into healthier eating habits. Public schools doing away with soda (and candy) vending machines and switching their catering suppliers to those that offer healthier options wouldn't be a bad start.

Sorry Pike but I have to say "That is wishful thinking".

When I was in school a Coke machine was unheard of in any school and we also had plenty of classes on eating healthy.

My friend I know you are a firm believer that "Education will solve problems" but... that is not always true.

People don't stop speeding because they get a WARNING from a cop... they slow down after they pay a ticket.

[Danno 1,228]

If insurance companies are so interested in keeping the population healthy, why do they not offer 'incentives' to get cheaper insurance if...

Also, why do they not offer some kind of co pay/free gym membership with the qualification being attendance to a minimum number of classes per week?

Why? Because they don't give a ** about how healthy the population, it's not their goal.

Come on MC are you serious?

The people who WOULD take advantage of this free gym offer are more likely to already work out or belong to a club. Those who NEED to get physical..... won't.

Next time you spy a Large person at the market, ask yourself.... "How much money would it take(if you were willing to PAY them to go) to get this person to the gym 4 days a week?

I know it would take a lot of cash to get me to do it and I am not even fat!

If most people won't go if you paid em.. will they go because membership is free.... not many and not for long.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think the Supersize Me guy was spot on when he highlighted the huge advertising budgets that the manufacturers of processed foods spend on promoting their products - a lot of it aimed directly at children.

There really needs more of an effort spend on educating people about proper nutrition at an earlier age and getting them into healthier eating habits. Public schools doing away with soda (and candy) vending machines and switching their catering suppliers to those that offer healthier options wouldn't be a bad start.

Sorry Pike but I have to say "That is wishful thinking".

When I was in school a Coke machine was unheard of in any school and we also had plenty of classes on eating healthy.

My friend I know you are a firm believer that "Education will solve problems" but... that is not always true.

People don't stop speeding because they get a WARNING from a cop... they slow down after they pay a ticket.

Why?

[natty bumppo 297]

I think the Supersize Me guy was spot on when he highlighted the huge advertising budgets that the manufacturers of processed foods spend on promoting their products - a lot of it aimed directly at children.

There really needs more of an effort spend on educating people about proper nutrition at an earlier age and getting them into healthier eating habits. Public schools doing away with soda (and candy) vending machines and switching their catering suppliers to those that offer healthier options wouldn't be a bad start.

Sorry Pike but I have to say "That is wishful thinking".

When I was in school a Coke machine was unheard of in any school and we also had plenty of classes on eating healthy.

My friend I know you are a firm believer that "Education will solve problems" but... that is not always true.

People don't stop speeding because they get a WARNING from a cop... they slow down after they pay a ticket.

a coke machine? snack machine? didn't exist in my school either ...

health classes to learn about taking care of yourself ...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If insurance companies are so interested in keeping the population healthy, why do they not offer 'incentives' to get cheaper insurance if...

Also, why do they not offer some kind of co pay/free gym membership with the qualification being attendance to a minimum number of classes per week?

Why? Because they don't give a ** about how healthy the population, it's not their goal.

Come on MC are you serious?

The people who WOULD take advantage of this free gym offer are more likely to already work out or belong to a club. Those who NEED to get physical..... won't.

Next time you spy a Large person at the market, ask yourself.... "How much money would it take(if you were willing to PAY them to go) to get this person to the gym 4 days a week?

I know it would take a lot of cash to get me to do it and I am not even fat!

If most people won't go if you paid em.. will they go because membership is free.... not many and not for long.

You missed the point there - which was that health insurance companies aren't actually concerned about people's health.

[The Dude 206]

I think the Supersize Me guy was spot on when he highlighted the huge advertising budgets that the manufacturers of processed foods spend on promoting their products - a lot of it aimed directly at children.

There really needs more of an effort spend on educating people about proper nutrition at an earlier age and getting them into healthier eating habits. Public schools doing away with soda (and candy) vending machines and switching their catering suppliers to those that offer healthier options wouldn't be a bad start.

Sorry Pike but I have to say "That is wishful thinking".

When I was in school a Coke machine was unheard of in any school and we also had plenty of classes on eating healthy.

My friend I know you are a firm believer that "Education will solve problems" but... that is not always true.

People don't stop speeding because they get a WARNING from a cop... they slow down after they pay a ticket.

That is because it was not a possibility unitl about 15-18 years ago. It wasn't there when you were in school because..... they simply hadn't thought of it as a revenue stream yet. The curriculum that kids get regarding health is a joke. Most of it is outdated, and the rest is simply not enough. Most kids don't even really see anything of the sort until junior high anyways.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What do you get at school anyways? Some BS food pyramid with "duh... fat and sugar bad".

[NickD 203]

I'm claustrophobic that helps, the thought of being trapped in a burning plane, automobile, or a building scares the hell out of me, have to be able to do at least ten pullups. Don't believe I could do that if I had to carry an extra couple of hundred pounds and even if I could, couldn't squeeze out through those tight spots.

Being super lazy also helps, having to drag around a couple hundred pounds of worthless fat is way too much work. Also fat is highly flammable, even to the point of being explosive.

Did watch a program on cable some time ago where a normal size guy couldn't get it up with his two ton wife, host was blaming the guy for that. When I looked at that woman, my thingy all but disappeared, guess I also have a problem like that guy did. But also could be acrophobia, would need a hundred foot ladder to climb up on top, sure wouldn't want to be under, would be crushed to death.