In 1986, 18 states had obesity rates less than 10%. Now, 40% of adults are obese. (drug, school)

[bawac34618]

Republicans complaining about obesity yet they oppose efforts to provide children access to healthier foods.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Nicci6Squirrels

This is a fake photo.

Not only that, Michelle Obama isn't obese. She's just quite tall and a little bigger around the hips, but her waist isn't big.

[Kaphawoman]

Processed foods with transfats and high fructose corn syrup, longer commutes (lack of sleep produces hunger hormones), more time plopped in front of tv with the advent of 500 channels plus streaming, higher stress levels (also a driver of hunger and sugar cravings), eating out more (even high-end restaurants use obscene amounts of butter and salt), and Mexican immigration.

[Retroit]

In 1986, people weren’t sitting around playing games on their phone all day.

Cartoon frame one: Mother walks into living room and tells her obese son to go outside and play whatever he is playing on his video game.

Frame two: Boy tells his mother he is playing Mortal Combat.

[latimeria]

Originally Posted by Retroit

In 1986, people weren’t sitting around playing games on their phone all day.

Cartoon frame one: Mother walks into living room and tells her obese son to go outside and play whatever he is playing on his video game.

Frame two: Boy tells his mother he is playing Mortal Combat.

People were playing Mortal Kombat by 1992, but hey

There are a lot of factors contributing to this all, not just video games.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by bawac34618

Republicans complaining about obesity yet they oppose efforts to provide children access to healthier foods.

totally BS....I think kids should be fed only nutritious foods and more importantly be taught proper nutrition. I've always objected to my kids having junk food available at school. I supported Michelle's efforts though I wasn't exactly sure what her plan was....probably it would be good to get a plan from someone who shows that they know what they're doing though.

[middle-aged mom]

We are the fattest people in the developed world and spend the most on healthcare. Diabetes 2 is an epidemic. It cost an average of nearly $10,000/ yr to treat Diabetes and its serious complications.

I am fond of Japan’s approach to reduce obesity. Every one has to submit to an annual waist measure. Those with measures greater than the generous healthy range are minimally. expected to be counseled about health risks. Japan rehires all employers to perform the measures. Employers are then required to hit new annual targets for measurements every year. Failure to do so results in increased contributions to the national Sickness Fund.

Insurance premiums in the US could be based on a waist measure. Apply this across the board including Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Tricare etc as well as those privately insured. Those whose waists are within the generous healthy range pay the least. And the greater deviation, the more you pay. Can’t afford it. No healthcare for you.

It is one thing each of us control. It’s easier to blame than take responsibility for ourselves.

[RMESMH]

Originally Posted by ContraPagan

Interesting. I have a nephew whose BMI puts him in the "overweight" category, just under obese, at 6'3 and 220 pounds. That gives him a BMI of 27.5.

He's also a multi-sport athlete, football and both indoor and outdoor track and field. He also mountain bikes and Nordic skis (he used to be a competitive skier) on a recreational basis and competes in local road races.

So... he should pay more, why? He's in shape already, and a lot of that 220 is muscle mass.


Found a photo of him receiving the Student Council sports award at his high school sports banquet from the other day. Yep... real overweight, isn't he?

https://www.adirondackdailyenterpris...dent-athletes/

Your nephew could give that Tennessee superfan with the white goatee at the end of your link some tips re getting in shape .

[yspobo]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Look at the constant food advertisements on TV. What do you see? Huge hamburgers with every topping known to man, that are more than a days TOTAL calorie intake in one sandwich, then add huge fries a huge Coke, and other stuff. Pizza with cheese in the crust and cheese filled bread on the side. Mexican food. Fried chicken. Huge 1,000 - 1,200 calorie Latte's the women think are a "coffee". Sugar loaded sodas. Portions are huge, calories are huge and fat is huge. We have been conditioned to think eating like this is NORMAL and OK. It's not.

Sodas are not loaded with sugar. They are filled with high fructose corn syrup.

[Farmer Larry]

Originally Posted by latimeria

How would either party "go after the obese"? How would you propose solving this problem?

It is not a solution that I really like but it might help to have a multi level sales tax on food according to how unhealthy it is and use the funds to pay for health care. Start with at least a 100% tax on the worst foods and as the food is less toxic the tax would be less. If you are determined to weigh 500lbs you will pay $10 or $15 for that daily pint or 2 of Ben and Jerrys and $50 for a case of soda, we have had sin taxes on booze and tobacco for decades and this would just be an extension of that. Many people have so little self control they will only respond to financially punitive measures. YOU WILL prepay your future heath care if you are that determined to live an unhealthy life. And another idea we should have done long ago is base health care premiums on BMI or some other way to measure weight risks with some exceptions. Our auto insurance is affected by our driving habits and your health risk behaviors should affect what you pay with no penalty for problems related to genetic disorders.
It all comes down to the words that scare the he!! out of liberals "PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.