The cost of obesity is shared by all.... in insurance premiums etc. ....But, that is that is what shared risk is all about...It may not be FAIR.. but it is how the world works... for example....... I have never been in an accident in my car, I have taken courses on how to drive a car on the street and on the race track... I know quite a bit about vehicle dynamics.. braking. cornering etc. I NEVER drive even after one glass of wine ( Which would explain my hermit like almost constant alcoholic stupor... but I digress) I do not even talk on a cell phone while i drive... but my insurance rates reflect the risk of ALL drivers in my demographic.

Being fat is a right, just as owning a gun, worshipping a god,being able to post on an internet forum... (And I admit I use the first ammendment a lot.).

It may no be a good idea..... BUT personal freedom is sometimes like that.

We have as much right to be fat as we do to drink, smoke, and do drugs (note in most places while possession is illegal, being under the influence by itself is not).

Having the right to do something doesn't make it smart.

Good lifestyle habits are taught from youth:  good manners, eating healthy, physical activity.  In the name of promoting "self esteem" we actually destroyed it because we never allow anyone to fail.  Yet, we learn more from failure than we do from success.  Some of our greatest leaders were failures at one point in their lives.

As a culture, we put an emphasis on having everything now, and we make it sound like a good thing.  Becuase we do everything we can to avoid consequence, and when we can't avoid it anymore, the consequences become dire indeed.

As a community we owe it to ourselves to not make it easy for those who would exploit us:  why do we need soda and candy machines in public schools?  Why do school lunchrooms serve such unhealthy meals?

That's why I think it is long overdue for insurance companies to charge higher premiums for those who are obese, smoke, drink, or do drugs.  Money is a powerful motivator for change.

At the same time, if we can incorporate education and support for those who want to be healthy into our health care system, by placing an emphasis on preventative care:  helping people quit smoking, drinking, to lose weight, or to get off drugs, then society as a whole will benefit thorugh a healthier and more productive population, less crime, and improved quality of life for all.

I wondered how they would catch those who lie about whether or not they smoke.  Having never smoked, I don't have to lie about it, so never thought about it.

                I am a woman in my 60s,  about 20 pounds over weight, and, I smoke.     Just telling you up front that I am FAR from perfect. But  I can't understand why we see so many yards with really cool play ground equipment, community parks with the same, and yes, schools.......but not a kid in sight!     Where are they????    And the parents that used to chase kids in a game of tag, or push them on the swings, or turn the merry-go-round.......... they're gone too!      I think those parents are raising kids to think that if you are smart, you deserve to have it all.   Sounds good on the surface, but I don't agree.  

          Kids aren't supposed to sit quiet and behave all the time.  They used to have enough energy to drive their parents crazy enough to tell them to go out and play!    ( out- key word ).   But there were rules too.  No teasing, no tattling, no fighting, stay in the allowed area,  but parents got involved too.          Now, when kids get active, they call it ADD, and medicate them or tell them to play their video games or watch tv.           

        As for obese adults, if any of them can actually go on a diet and lose weight, I am really proud of them.  I haven't been able to quit any of my vices.  I prefer not to work with obese nurses on a med surg. floor because they have a lot of trouble lifting and bending, they can't hurry, and in a code, if they are on compressions I worry about having TWO  patients!        BUT, they make it so that I have to move faster, and work harder, so I guess they are good for ME.

I say, we are all gonna die someday, so have fun while you are here. I love to cook and eat, and not always healthy I enjoy a cheeseburger now and then, I like to drink, I smoke but I hate it and wish I could quit. I am sure someday I will be miserable but I am prepared to deal with the consequences of my actions. PS I am not fat. I excersise well, and my diet is fairly balanced.

Blast away.

No blasting for you Jenny. You do whatever you desire, its your body and your life. I smoked for 13 years (and still sneak). No one has the right to decide what is right for someone elses body. Congrats to you for being healthier than 70% of the population!

What do you care? You're a liberal! You want to pay for everyones healthcare... or shall I say, you want everyone to pay for yours.....

Do tell, what exactly is "whacko" about everyone paying for his/her own services? Whether is be healthcare, school, or their home. I do beleive this is the ideal this country was founded upon. Not taxing up the wazoo and offering "free" services to those that choose not to work (or become successful). Just so you know, I am concerned because between what my husband makes and what I will be making in 4 years, we will be included in that "unfortunate" wealthy category.  How sad that it is no longer a benefit to those of us that want to better ourselves, we just end up paying for all those that dont want to.  I am going to be a NP so that I can offer my services to those that are in need, why should I also have to pay their bills.  Charity should be optional. In my political party, charity is highly praised and abundant.  3 times as much money (not including time and services) is given by republicans as opposed to democrats. I should be free to send my money where I see fit, not be forced into it by taxes.  Our founding fathers would be turn over in their graves to know the amount of taxes we are, and will be paying.

Dont belittle yourself so much Sevo. You are not a "scumsucking liberal unworthy of the title AMERICAN", you are just misguided. I am also not a true patriot. I have served as a volunteer for the Red Cross for many years before I was in nursing school. My children are in public school, I have no student loans nor debt (other than my house), BETWEEN my husband's income and what I will make we will fall into that category, and of course I understand that the government helps pay for my education in some way (although it hard to imagine how much more it can cost beyond what I pay out of pocket).  I thank you and admire you for your military service, you deserve to be compensated for that. However, I believe that each person should work, receive compensation for his/her work, and pay for his/her own individual services. Now, since I have worked since I was 17, and paid taxes toward these programs, I will utilize some of them.  In an ideal situation, these programs would be reversed (weaned, for lack of a better word), people (that are capable) would be required to work in some way to support themselves, and each of us would only be responsible for our own immediate family.  I understand that these are impossible dreams now that liberals have guided our society into helpless government leeches, but it is a nice thought.

MegSRN says ...

Dont belittle yourself so much Sevo. You are not a "scumsucking liberal unworthy of the title AMERICAN", you are just misguided. I am also not a true patriot. I have served as a volunteer for the Red Cross for many years before I was in nursing school. My children are in public school, I have no student loans nor debt (other than my house), BETWEEN my husband's income and what I will make we will fall into that category, and of course I understand that the government helps pay for my education in some way (although it hard to imagine how much more it can cost beyond what I pay out of pocket).  I thank you and admire you for your military service, you deserve to be compensated for that. However, I believe that each person should work, receive compensation for his/her work, and pay for his/her own individual services. Now, since I have worked since I was 17, and paid taxes toward these programs, I will utilize some of them.  In an ideal situation, these programs would be reversed (weaned, for lack of a better word), people (that are capable) would be required to work in some way to support themselves, and each of us would only be responsible for our own immediate family.  I understand that these are impossible dreams now that liberals have guided our society into helpless government leeches, but it is a nice thought.

So you are willing to accept my tax dollars to improve YOUR life.... public schools.. nursing school subsidies... mortgage tax deduction... but no one else should for another purpose?? Such as government health care?

I am subsidizing YOUR children with some of MY federal tax dollars... that is OK?? I say if you cant feed  ( Or school) 'em.. don't breed em.

I am paying a lot more in taxes than you are and I can assure you I do not have heartburn subsidizing healthcare for those less fortunate then I am.

You speak of  " In an ideal situation........" Take the moral high road.. REFUSE any tax subsidized services the government already supplies...Fire, police, highways,safe water,air traffic control etc etc etc.. Move to Idaho, let your husband have some more wives.. live OFF the grid and trade elk pelts for food... It seems to me .. unless the taxes are going for YOU.. you are not wanting them spent..

SEVOFLURANE says ...

 

You speak of  " In an ideal situation........" Take the moral high road.. REFUSE any tax subsidized services the government already supplies...Fire, police, highways,safe water,air traffic control etc etc etc.. Move to Idaho, let your husband have some more wives.. live OFF the grid and trade elk pelts for food... It seems to me .. unless the taxes are going for YOU.. you are not wanting them spent..

 

 

What is wrong with idaho sevo? lol

I don't understand why anyone would even want to be fat and let alone stay fat.  You look and feel terrible.  I put on only 10 pounds from having a baby which I cannot get rid of but I work out everyday trying.  But even those lousy ten pounds make me feel terrible and self conscious about my appearance.  And I am only 130 pounds, so I cannot imagine how uncomfortable you must feel being a large amount overweight. 

leng says ...

I dont think anyone would want to be fat. That is so true, feeling overweight alot of times makes one feel very uncomfortable, .aside from that all the diseases associated with being fat is there. Kinda scary....

But being fat or overweight, doesnt mean you are less of a person.  Most of the fat/overweight people i know are wonderful people, they bring life to the goups! Very funny and creative.

Still it would be awesome if we can start now and make some changes in our lifestyles, you know we owe it to ourselves and to our family /loved ones to saty fit and healthy.

AHHH the jolly fat person stereotype... how quaint.

Of course many stereotypes usually have some basis in fact, such as the overweight person who learns to compensate by developing a witty and happy personality. Other insecure individuals with impaired self-esteem compensate by developing an abrasive personality and use sarcasm and negative comments to attract attention. Me, I just compensate by drinking heavily(LOL)

I have been thin most of my life, now in my late 40's I am overweight. Starved myself crazy and tried every idea on the market- still can't lose. I keep a calorie diary sometimes and I only eat about 1200 calories a day. I am still trying, but SORRY! I am FAT now. I never eat out, seldom eat meat. Life just sucks sometimes. Deal with it. We all share everyone's risks. The single guy down the street who lives on McDonald's but is skinny- he can still have CAD and a massive MI at a young age. The diabetic who eats junk and has a 300 blood sugar most of the time- still skinny but on dialysis for 10 years and blind. The mentally ill person who does not take his meds and lives on welfare because he can't work, in and out of the psych unit because he hears voices but the meds make him feel funny so he doesn't take them. Oh, but he is skinny so it is ok. My sister is a toothpick- she has smoked since age 14- her ears are blue, she is wracked with osteoporosis and she is a year older than me. How much longer before her CABG and her disability payments? Me- I am fat, but I have a great BP, a great blood sugar, and I will work until I am at least 67, paying taxes to care for all the skinny sick people who can't work.