Politics and Obesity

[Silversurfer]

I read this morning that the torries are again hammering the obese, guess they've had a good go at smokers and beaten up drinkers (especially binge drinkers) and now they are back onto the fatties again.

I find it kind of stupid as its been quoted that 60% of all UK adults are overweight, how does any political party think they are going to get into power alienating the voting public.
And when they come up with a sensable solution to the growing problem other than "fat people should be made accountable" or "fat people should eat less" maybe the voting public will take them seriously.

Interested in people thoughts

Richard

 

[hopelesscase]

Oh yes richard right behing you there. Our local council are allowing take aways to open up left right and centre on our main rd alone there is 24 in a 1 mile stretch (yes i know i dont have to visit them) but pulled down the local swimming pool.
My other bug bare is that trying to get a decent resonably priced healthy meal at out local NHS hospital is impossiable. If you ask for jacket and salad it is priced as 2 meals but i can get kiev and chips, fish and chips, pie and chips etc for a single price.
My sister is a coeliac and usually ends up with a bag of crisp and a bar of chocolate.
Make the polititians accountable, Lets us have access to affordable sports and fitness that you can do as a family group. Healthy food choices at affordable prices and some regulation on TV adverts advertising food late at night.
Hc

 

[KD]

Make the polititians accountable, Lets us have access to affordable sports and fitness that you can do as a family group. Healthy food choices at affordable prices and some regulation on TV adverts advertising food late at night.
Hc

But that's what it was all about wasn't it? Well...sort of

I didn't hear the speech, but I did hear Johnson being interviewed before it, and people putting questions to him.

He was saying that it's not inevitable that you have to stay overweight. There are things you can do about it. It's not all genes and we need to take some personal responsibility for ourselves. I agree with that

He then went on to say, that if didn't want to, then that was entirely up to you, but many people do and they just aren't getting the support that they need to make it easier for them. I also agree with that

He talked about what could be done to make it easier for those who wished to lose weight ie more support from their doctors, making it easier for children to get to school on their bikes/walking whatever. Not being a Nanny state and changing the ingredients in foods, but making it easier to read and understand the labels and for people who wish to lose have info so they can make good choices for themselves.

Yes, he did talk about people being accountable, and that will always be controversial. My lightbulb momment was when my doctor made me accountable. She did it in a lovely way, but it really made me think and take action.

I think it's a shame when a whole load of good stuff gets thrown out because of one sentence that stings.

Okay, so the government may not do anything to help...but at least I do feel that this is a step in the right direction :clap:

Would I have appreciated more support when I was losing weight. You bet. Wouldn't it be fantastic if we lived in a country where it was normal to eat healthily and exercise. If our culture was geared up for it? I think so.

So should the government interfere at all? Well, I guess they should if they can do things to help.

 

[Silversurfer]

Hi KD

Good post and agree with everything you have said, also agree thta we are all essentially accountable for what or who we are, and to be honest i think this particular article was more about stabbing the opposition in the back, i cant see any government being sympathetic to the current issues as finding a sympathetic cure or fix will involve money, far to much money is made fromt he junk food industry alone, i cant honestly see McDonalds carrying a Government health warning lol.

HC -Yes your right, part of the article this morning was about the cost of healthy food, it quoted a low income famiy feeding their children nuggets and chips because fresh vegatables and meat cost a lot more, with the current culture for junk food kids are less likely to want to eat healthier food, so it said that parents on lower income were more likely to buy food they know there kids will eat rather than healthier food that wil get wasted.

Richard

 

[Floella]

KD - that is just about the best post I've ever read on here! Brilliant!

Richard - I started a thread on this very topic yesterday under "general discussions" - some interesting posts.

 

[KD]

Hi KD
Good post and agree with everything you have said, also agree thta we are all essentially accountable for what or who we are, and to be honest i think this particular article was more about stabbing the opposition in the back,

Probably Not sure what article it was though, but articles in general only pick the controversial stuff, and often take things out of context. BTW, I'm not a tory. I'm ashamed to say that I take little interest in politics as I find dealing with my own day to day life enough But I am interested in weight issues.

i cant see any government being sympathetic to the current issues as finding a sympathetic cure or fix will involve money,

Yes, I kind of agree, but what if it's not sympathetic, but just necessary. He was saying they were trying to find what worked and what didn't work.

When I think about it, the only thing that really works is us taking responsibility. Yes, we may have very good reasons for gaining weight, but we can usually do something about it if we have the tools.

Besides, even if you don't believe them to be sympathetic to our needs, it is in their best interest for us all to be fit and healthy.

it is infar to much money is made fromt he junk food industry alone, i cant honestly see McDonalds carrying a Government health warning lol.

I got the impression that this is what they were trying to avoid. Not being a Nanny state, because they found that just antagonises Besides, it doesn't help that much.

low income famiy feeding their children nuggets and chips because fresh vegatables and meat cost a lot more, with the current culture for junk food kids are less likely to want to eat healthier food, so it said that parents on lower income were more likely to buy food they know there kids will eat rather than healthier food that wil get wasted.

Richard

That's been on the news a lot today. But what if we lived in a culture where it was considered normal to eat good food. That is was normal for kids to play outside again. That junk food was not something we grabbed without thought.

What if it was easier to buy good food, more difficult, even frowned upon to take the kids to McD on a regular basis.

I wonder if parents would be feeding healthier foods and not even considering the junk alternatives, because it just 'wasn't done'. If it was easy to get hold of fresh, they knew how to cook it, and they knew how to get their kids to eat it

People respond to peer pressure. I don't mean bullying, but doing what others are doing and what gets approval from others. I think that's what Johnson was getting at. Changing the way we think. Changing our 'norm'.

 

[KD]

KD - that is just about the best post I've ever read on here! Brilliant!

Richard - I started a thread on this very topic yesterday under "general discussions" - some interesting posts.

Oooh. Thankyou!

 

[tammy]

Wow what a topic!

I feel that i do need to take accountability for my size. as an adult i have made choices as to what i eat. Whilst i accept for some people there may be a medical reason or genetic cause i need to hold my hands up and say i'm the way i am because of ME!!!!

I don't know if anyone heard the plans for addressing obesity in childhood. This really saddened me in a way but in another made me shout YES!!! why shouldn't we address weight issues earlier in life. As a parent i have a responsibilty to ensure my children are given oppertunities in life including good health. They are not able to make choices regarding what they eat so i have to ensure what the have is varied and good for them.

Research shows that children who grow up with obese parents are more likely to suffer weight issues themselves. Maybe genetic factors but also around what they see as the norm! Both my parents are obese and whilst i don't blame them what i learnt growing up was that food was important and 'bad' foods made you feel good!

The Government are right to identify the issues what they need to do now is look at how best to tackle them using experiences from those who have lived with obesity!!!