Bravo........

OMG!   I can NOT believe we are even having this conversation in America.  Yes, rights are to tempered by responsibilty.  However,  when you start legislating diets, exercise regimes, foods available at the local mega-mart you have stepped out of the USA and into something much much darker and much less free.  I would like for to look deep into your heart of hearts and tell me truthfully - Would you be excited about determining what other people weigh and eat if it was YOUR refridgerator and scale?  Somehow, I don't think so.   

mrbrownrn49 says ...

Somehow when it directly impacts the premiums on every insurance holder in America, yes I would like some form of something to start. Either higher rates for those who are WILLFULLY obese or subject themselves to alcohol in excess or smoke or such. You betchum. You play, you pay in every other form of recreation.

How do you determine "willful obesity". I have news for you NO ONE WANTS TO BE FAT. Maybe the obese should be banned from having children and passing on their flawed genes? Maybe anyone with and IQ less than 120 should be banned from having chldren? Come to think of it maybe only the wealthy, healthy perfect ones should even be allowed to live? Ok mrbrown, would you like to be in charge of this brave new world of perfection??? Is everything you do up to scrutiny? No secret flaws that increase our risk?? Maybe a little driving over the speed limit now and then???

yournurse says ...

                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 agree.  I know I'm overweight but you know what? I can still run and do strenous work without worry of a heart attack. My family's diet may not be the healthiest but it's not all junk. My blood pressure is normal, my glucose is normal, I quit smoking 3 years ago and our kitchen is stocked with fresh fruits(mostly bananas, peaches and apples). I come from a family of obese people so while genetics may not be in my favor, I can still change my environment and my habits. I have cavities so I don't drink soda or eat very many sweets. My cause of being fat is not enough exercise and my fondness for starchy food.

I take my 2 y/o son out to the playground almost daily and we go for walks on the trailways. I know kids want to be active, that's what playgrounds and yards are FOR! I play with my son, we'll play with a ball, push him on the swings and water our microgarden or do something creative like painting a birdhouse or a posterboard when we need a more low-key activity. Chris is only allowed to watch Sesame Street and Winnie the Pooh, that's less than 2 hours a day. My son is interested in baseball and gymnastics, he saw his first game earlier this summer and he likes to do flips(with mom+dad's help). My husband takes him outside and we like to point out the trees, birds and various things we see on our outings. i may be active, but it's not enough to shed my extra pounds. Chris is being taught that if you want to be successful in life then you need to work for it because nothing is just handed to you on silver platter.

This is stupid.  Have any of you people who want to be food police..........dont yall think there there is enough on everybodes plates right now?  RNProgresssive...............the works you spout encourage folk to hit the buffet at Golden Coral.   its that negative reinforcement thing I think.  Can you make people feel any worse?  Thats your normal motto..............once time you once told me to quit watching faux news and take a walk.  Kinda funny though.  While griping and insulting me you are screwig up and acting really stupid.    I hate to disappoint you but Im not fat...........Ive been saving for a tummy tuck, but Im within my correct bmi.  The next thing is that green jobs CZAR who is doing the scandal thing and congress wants him to just quit.........and if he dont quit, he needs to get fired.   Honestly, I dont know the hoopla on that, its a boring subject for me. The parts on the news that bother me is how they are going ofter the CIA with lawsuits.  My personal advice is to those employed by the CIA.............quit your job.   Your not appeciated and Obama's administration is making a witch hunt out of all of yall.  You wont be able to protect yourself or other Americans because Omamas administration will have you charged with crap.  .   For those soldiers who are going up for renewing their tours for more time in the USA, USAF, USN, etc..................get out when you get the chance for the discharge.  Out in California there were those schools who wont let  the Recruiters on the grounds.  Yanno........one day, I think Senator Box and Congressman Pelosi might wish they had allowed the recruiters to hand out the info and give out cookies to the recruiters instead of kicking them out.   Yahho............................when north Korea gets thier nukes ready to sail, its gonna be a shame the Obama administration was too busy Oregon is in a pickle these days too............lots of rain.  The damns are high to overbursting.  Plus they had a 6. + earthquake.  So add the mud slides to the flooding These communities are in danger.  Id rather see congress do something about this over than universal healthcare which Americans dont want.  If the politicians vote this policy..........they know they wont get re-elected. 

Marjorie, well said. we need more encouragement than just criticism. i have some friends that are also overweight so we've decided to get together and go for walks, play basketball or just do something active.

I am really tired of the fat bashing. Especially by those who work in health care. Has it ever occured to you that shift work could be a large contributor to the issue? Why not check out the long term nurses study on the results of shift work especially nights have on weight gain/loss, hormones, sleep disturbances and so forth. Now for the idea that fat people want to be fat. I don't know a single person who wants to be fat. Even skinny people want to be skinnier. Not all fat people are unhealthy either. I do flumox the drs. I am classed as morbidly obese and yet I have normal BP, normal cholesterol and triglycerides and normal BS. I don't eat McD's, donuts or potato chips. I eat lots of fish,fruits and veggies. The only abnormal thing I did was work nights for 21 yrs. But you can see it in all of the family pictures. All of the women gained weight after having kids and kept it. There is a genetic component to obesity also. Or had that thought escaped notice while you are fat bashing. Now if you don't want to pay insurance premiums that occurs when you have a group policy.... opt out of group and get your own individual insurance. Then your premiums are set by your own health and no one else.

MegSRN says ...

Its one thing to be "overweight" or maybe even borderline "obese" but to be "morbidly obese" with no true medical condition behind it? Im thinking its more than 1 portion of fish and veggies for dinner. People have a right to be as fat as they want, its not my problem. But dont try to convince me that its not a persons own fault if they are "morbidly obese" without a true medical condition causing it.

I am reassured to know we are going to acknowledge personal faults. So since it is not possible to convince you that it is "not a persons own fault if they are 'morbidly obese'". You must be entirely to blame for your incredible ignorance on just about everything in this topic I have read that you have posted.

Since you seem to have no history of morbid obesity in which to base your experience off of what medically founded research has lead you to this erroneous conclusion? I am entertained that you seem to spout the conservative pay for what you use and we will give when we see fit attitude one minute. Then seem more than ready to jump on the "tax the fatty” bandwagon the next. I though Tax was a foul word in the conservative dictionary no matter who is being taxed. Because trust me members of the conservative parties would certainly being paying their fair share of that tax.

I am sure you must be knowledgeable in something you obviously can type and form complete sentences maybe you should stick to topics you actually have some real knowledge about or have bothered to research. No one chooses to be overweight that is not what we wake up every morning and think "good gosh how can I pack on the pounds today, risk heart disease & diabetes". Unhealthy food is cheap and lasts longer and that is the true economics behind the increase weight over the years. Jobs have also become more stationary and less labor intensive (not that the nurses noticed). I have provided links to back up my points.

Maybe the right solution is to make healthier fresh foods more affordable through a structured government price break instead of add more taxes on to bad foods. Because even if you increase the tax on a .99 cent burger you would have to tax it a lot before buying chicken breast or fish to cook at home was cheaper.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=do-food-stamps-lead-to-obesity-2009-08-11

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040105071229.htm

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115634907472843442-_xrNV2M1Pwf8pAcQYUWEBITP1LQ_20060901.html

hypathia says ...

MegSRN says ...

Its one thing to be "overweight" or maybe even borderline "obese" but to be "morbidly obese" with no true medical condition behind it? Im thinking its more than 1 portion of fish and veggies for dinner. People have a right to be as fat as they want, its not my problem. But dont try to convince me that its not a persons own fault if they are "morbidly obese" without a true medical condition causing it.

I am reassured to know we are going to acknowledge personal faults. So since it is not possible to convince you that it is "not a persons own fault if they are 'morbidly obese'". You must be entirely to blame for your incredible ignorance on just about everything in this topic I have read that you have posted.

Since you seem to have no history of morbid obesity in which to base your experience off of what medically founded research has lead you to this erroneous conclusion? I am entertained that you seem to spout the conservative pay for what you use and we will give when we see fit attitude one minute. Then seem more than ready to jump on the "tax the fatty” bandwagon the next. I though Tax was a foul word in the conservative dictionary no matter who is being taxed. Because trust me members of the conservative parties would certainly being paying their fair share of that tax.

I am sure you must be knowledgeable in something you obviously can type and form complete sentences maybe you should stick to topics you actually have some real knowledge about or have bothered to research. No one chooses to be overweight that is not what we wake up every morning and think "good gosh how can I pack on the pounds today, risk heart disease & diabetes". Unhealthy food is cheap and lasts longer and that is the true economics behind the increase weight over the years. Jobs have also become more stationary and less labor intensive (not that the nurses noticed). I have provided links to back up my points.

Maybe the right solution is to make healthier fresh foods more affordable through a structured government price break instead of add more taxes on to bad foods. Because even if you increase the tax on a .99 cent burger you would have to tax it a lot before buying chicken breast or fish to cook at home was cheaper.

 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=do-food-stamps-lead-to-obesity-2009-08-11

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040105071229.htm

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115634907472843442-_xrNV2M1Pwf8pAcQYUWEBITP1LQ_20060901.html

And yet the truth of the matter is, for those of us who do not have a medical condition causing weight gain, the power to control our weight is within us.

There are economic factors behind obestity, and I do think these need to be addressed by society in general rather than leaving it up to the individual.  If healthy foods are not available at a reasonable price, then of course unhealthy foods will be chosen.  Ending food subsidies for corn would be a big help, then the price would be more realistic compared to other foods.

And in many cases, for many people food is an addiction.  I would agree that simply chalking it up to personal responsibility turns a blind eye to the problem.  But on the other hand, it is up to the addict to get help and stick with the program to break food addictions.

Ultimately, the obese person must take control of their lives if they are ever going to lose weight.  Society can offer resources and help, but the obest person must do the work.

Hence, I have no problem with charging higher insurance premiums for unhealthy lifestyles such as obesity and smoking.  Those two conditions contribute greatly to the cost of health care in this country, and those people (which includes myself as I am about 30 lbs overweight) should have to pay more for their insurance.

Sad days have come.  It is cheaper to eat healthy than fat processed foods.  More people are drawn to these because they are addicted to the carbs and saturated fats, to some taste better.  I LOVE summer and farmers and look forward to fresh fruits and vegetables.  I think eating bad is a learned process and people's mindsets need changed.  I do not drown my food, remember that from schoolhouse rock. 

I do believe for most, obesity is a choice such as an alcholic, drug addict etc.  Just legalize everything, they are going to tax everything and everyone should pay.  Welcome to America....  If we pay for every sin, then we will be equal.  BHO equal work, equal pay.  He knows what's best...

Boy, I am awfully harsh this morning. 

I'm not fat, but will say, I work hard to keep my weight down. No-one wants to be fat. Period. My family has the tendency to be overweight if we don't watch what we eat. Therefore, from an early age I have been concientious about trying to keep my weight within normal range.

I have gained and lost many pounds over the years trying to keep the weight at bay. I've had some success in the last 2 or so years. That's not to say I can ever rest on my laurels. It's a constant  battle, that at times I must admit can become quite tiresome. I guess I was taught inadvertently (at an early age)  that, No, I did't have the right to be fat. I don't eat McDonalds, and try to eat as healthy as possible, but geez, I do enjoy an occasional glass of wine and a good piece of dark chocolate. Ok, sometimes more than a glass of wine. LOL!!!

I guess what I'm trying to say, is there are people like me, who have never wanted to be fat, and try like the dickens to stay healthy. As a result I have yo-yo dieted, which I know isn't always good either, but at the same time, I can't just give up and let myself go.

I like my cute clothes and how I feel when I'm thin too much to just give up and say"Ok, I'll just be fat."

But, it is hard, so I in no way condem or critsize anyone who is struggling with their weight.

..and the question shoud be rephrased...i dont think one would like that kind of right, "a  right  to be fat", anyways who wants to be fat by choice?!

yes its a choice but sadly we don't have a choice when it comes to funding their gastric bypass surgery which is a covered expense on their insurance plan since obesity is a disease here in wonderful america.  of course its not considered a disease in the "other" public funded plans in France Germany and Canada .  in those countries if you are fat your choices only affect you not the rest of the plan members since its not considered a disease!

Don't forget that years of being obese lowers your metabolism.

A man with my height, body type and level of activity should easily be able to eat 2200 calories a day to maintain ideal weight - but in fact if I eat more that 1600 I gain weight. That is the result of many years of being morbidly obese.

The bottom line is: Becoming fat is no one's fault but your own, but people should understand that once someone has been fat for a long time it is HARDER for them to lose weight than a person who has never been fat at all. So ifsomeone says "I eat the same as my brother, who is thirty pounds thinner, but I never lose weight" he is probably telling the truth! He has to cut back severely to start to lose.

I know - I've been there - I lost 126 pounds years ago. (and no, I didn't gain it back). It is a daily struggle!

       Bravo, great post Mr Brown.  Let the gluteneers pay for the glutney.  People reap the lines they sow with what they put in their 'pie holes' and the levels of activity they participate in more or less.  In the end there are only two types; those who do and those who do not.  Excuses don't solve the problem set, and the folks who do should not have to pay for the folks who do not..

High hopes & God speed - Tim, R.N.