Replying to bruce: making them pay more for flights is wrong. The obese population is more than likely to come from a low economic status. You can not directly blame the sedentary population for being overweight. The main cause is the society people live in. If there was an increase in access to cycle lanes, sports facilities 'public', healthy eating places, and in general less option for sedentry lifestyles. The inequalities in society play a big part sedentry behaviour
This is america. You sound like a communist or a muslim.
First, let me say that I work for a large bank and that we already have something called a "Lifeforce" program. You must submit to an annual physical with certain tests and bloodwork and if you fall within certain levels your rates for medical coverage are discounted. They also take into account smoking, excercise, weight etc as do life insurance companies. This is the way it should be done.
Secondly, Obesity is NOT a Disease. What is wrong with all you idiots who think that every "problem" is somehow genetic or beyond will power. This is a running site for crying out loud, at least here you'd think you'd find a shred of common sense regarding this issue. It seems that so many people love to blame everyone but ourselves for all our problems - bad parents, bad environment, bad genes, bad economic conditions, bad advertisers - Give me a Break!!!! How about poor coping skills, weak constitutions and a host of excuses and blame placed elsewhere. This is why so many people don't succeed and sit around waiting for a handout because life isn't "fair." Well you know what, life isn't fair or equal - some people are in fact smarter than others and some are stronger, some are prettier - we are born DIFFERENT and that's ok - use the gifts you are given the best of your abilities and you will undoubtedly succeed in life - blame others for your shortcomings and you will always fail.
I went out to eat at a steakhouse the other night with my girlfriend. I was eating my meal when she turned to me and whispered "Look around", I turned and looked around the steakhouse. Everyone except my girl and I were overweight. I'm not talking about a little chubby, but FAT. It was disturbing to say the least.
I'm not sure what your point is. I don't disagree that seeing that sight my be a bit unappetizing to say the least, but hey - it's a free country, or at least it's supposed to be, and they have the right to be fat, lazy slobs if they so choose. Instead of being "disturbed" i like to use it as an opportunity to hone my comedy skills. What's actually "disturbing" to me, is that some people on this thread and many in this country think that it is ok to force people to eat certain foods or live a certain lifestyle. What right do these people feel that they have to tell anyone else how to live their lives. Wasn't this country founded with the ideals of freedom of choice - in all aspects of our lives - as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others? I know some of you will want to bring up the cost of healthcare that we all must shoulder b/c of these "unhealthy" people - but "healthy" is relative and as someone pointed out earlier, those running excessive mileage may be prone to visit the doctor more often. I, for one, think any added cost is well worth the price of the freedom to live our lives the way we see fit - no matter what some high and mighty idealogues might think.