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

[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.

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.

He missed it rather badly

Yes, my point is health insurance companies have ZERO incentive to maintain healthy insurees. If they did have that as a goal they would take active steps, such as preventative (regular appropriate exercise) as part and parcel of their insurance package. They could in fact offer different premiums based on whether someone takes up a membership and attended regular classes. They don't do that, so one has to assume that there is no profit in doing same.

[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.

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.

revenue stream ... yes it was thought of and rejected a few times. the parents and school board had some interesting discussions on this topic and both came to the conclusion it wasn't in the best interest of the students. how parents have changed .... guess it didn't help that some school board members actually had their kids in the same school system.

btw: vending machines have been around a lot longer than 15-18 years .....

[Peikko 1,575]

Probably the revenue stream wasn't necessary. When public schooling was started it was adequately resourced (and of course the buildings were new). As time has gone on, public schooling appears to be seen as an unnecessary expense - go figure.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't see why public schools couldn't remove vending machines that sell sodas and candies, or have their catering suppliers rework the menus of their school kitchens.

A few already have I think.

[natty bumppo 297]

Probably the revenue stream wasn't necessary. When public schooling was started it was adequately resourced (and of course the buildings were new). As time has gone on, public schooling appears to be seen as an unnecessary expense - go figure.

wonder what the real revenue is to the school from these machines? any ideas?

[NickD 203]

Guess being frugal also helps, vending machines are a form of highway robbery. Junk food is very expensive, has little or no nutritional value, and in my opinion, it tastes like #######. Please don't make me explain what ####### tastes like. The marvel of what nature has provided, a fresh apple, orange, or a banana is my taste.

See fat people with two carts loaded with junk food with 200-300 buck grocery bills, wonder how they get that kind of money to waste.

[natty bumppo 297]

Guess being frugal also helps, vending machines are a form of highway robbery. Junk food is very expensive, has little or no nutritional value, and in my opinion, it tastes like #######. Please don't make me explain what ####### tastes like. The marvel of what nature has provided, a fresh apple, orange, or a banana is my taste.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Guess being frugal also helps, vending machines are a form of highway robbery. Junk food is very expensive, has little or no nutritional value, and in my opinion, it tastes like #######. Please don't make me explain what ####### tastes like. The marvel of what nature has provided, a fresh apple, orange, or a banana is my taste.

See fat people with two carts loaded with junk food with 200-300 buck grocery bills, wonder how they get that kind of money to waste.

I agree with Nick. We eat quite healthy stuff; no munchies (exception of trailmix). And my views on obesity are too inappropriate to post.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

if the foodstamp program didnt allow chips and dip to be considered food, might help.

True that, true that.

[Peikko 1,575]

It should be taxed higher as not being food.

[Danno 1,228]

Probably the revenue stream wasn't necessary. When public schooling was started it was adequately resourced (and of course the buildings were new). As time has gone on, public schooling appears to be seen as an unnecessary expense - go figure.

Are you wildly speculating?

We have many historic school "houses" on display, take a visit.

You will find they were often one room shacks or the local Church.

You will also be horrified at the lack of ...."separation of Church and State".

[SuperDuper! 230]

I don't see why public schools couldn't remove vending machines that sell sodas and candies, or have their catering suppliers rework the menus of their school kitchens.

A few already have I think.

School Vending Machines: Health vs. Profits

By Michele McKay

A decade ago snack and soda vending machines in schools were rare. But as times have changed, principals and school PTAs with tight budgets have recognized their revenue potential, and many school districts now rely on vending machines to pay for computers, sports programs and after-school activities. Unfortunately, the machines are packed with sugar and fat, with profits coming at the expense of student health.

Many school administrators, teachers, and health advocates believe that selling unhealthy snacks and soda is hypocritical and is a tacit endorsement of the products. In class, students learn the importance of a healthy diet, but at the vending machine they are sold junk food.

"Our society should be doing everything possible to encourage kids to eat healthy diets," said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "Instead, what are we doing? We're bombarding them with junk food advertising. We're putting junk foods wherever they go, even in schools.”

A U.S. Department of Agriculture report recommended to Congress that all snacks sold in schools should meet the federal government's nutritional standards. A recent study has linked soft drinks to childhood obesity, a condition associated with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis. Other research links soft drink consumption to tooth decay, caffeine dependence, and osteoporosis.

But the future is looking brighter. In Rhode Island, Stonyfield Farm is sponsoring an organic, low-fat, low-sugar pilot project. Some schools now offer string cheese, pita chips, organic yogurt, soy nuts, dried fruit, and carrots with dip, while others sell cold, bottled milk in a variety of flavors from vending machines.

Although milk sells well, the dairy industry is unable to match the lucrative contracts that schools get from soda companies. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures' Health Policy Tracking Service, many schools raise as much as $100,000 a year from vending contracts. Consumer correspondent Greg Hunter reported on Good Morning America that some school districts have multimillion-dollar exclusivity contracts with vending companies. These contracts can include sales quotas; one example required the sale of 4,500 cases of soda a year—about 50 sodas per student. And schools have been known to violate federal and state laws because their contracts require that the vending machines operate all day, including the lunch hour.

The issue has become so controversial that over 20 states are considering limits or total bans on vending machine products, and about 20 already restrict students' access to junk food until after lunch.

Here in Hawai’i , proposed legislation (SB 2147 & HB 1891) would have banned beverages other that water, milk, or fruit juice in public school vending machines, and would have replaced fat- and sugar-rich foods with healthy choices. These bills did not pass, but the State Board of Education has agreed to increase the percentage of healthy drinks sold through school vending machines.

To comment on this issue, please write to:

Chairman of the Hawai’i Board of Education

Superintendent of Education

PO Box 2360

Honolulu, HI 96804

[Peikko 1,575]

Probably the revenue stream wasn't necessary. When public schooling was started it was adequately resourced (and of course the buildings were new). As time has gone on, public schooling appears to be seen as an unnecessary expense - go figure.

Are you wildly speculating?

We have many historic school "houses" on display, take a visit.

You will find they were often one room shacks or the local Church.

You will also be horrified at the lack of ...."separation of Church and State".

As usual, a total lack of comprehension. These schools you cite were not state sponsered but rather for the most part charitable institutions - church funded no doubt. When state funded schooling was introduced the education system was afforded adequate funding and purpose built schools, teachers were given formal training and pay was increased substantially to reflect the importance of the role of their role - things were quite peachy for quite some time but then...

Edited August 18, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[DEDixon 39]

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?

Funny, I always see and hear this... "kids should be taught...... " Kids are in school around 7 hours a day so there is only so much time. PETA wants kids taught to treat animals well. NAACP wants kids to learn more Africa history. Kids should be taught the effects of alcohol and drugs. Kids should be taught to avoid strangers... watch out for bad people. Hispanics and Asians want their heritage taught too. Every group wants kids to be taught whatever.

All this is after history, science, english, math... there isn't enough time in the school day. Extend the school day to 12 hours and there will still be things that the schools are not teaching kids.

[bulaklak 0]

From what I see I'd say way more than 30% of Americans are obese. Especially here in Hawaii.

From what I've seen everywhere, I'd say it is way more than atleast 50% American are obese.