Should overweight people...?

Ok first off, although I realize that I will get many negative responses, this is an actual question, and it relates to a lot of the information I had in my college level health class.

Do you think (if it was possible, yes) that overweight people, should be legally required to lose weight?

One of the main reasons why would of course be various health reasons ranging from poor cardiovascular system performance or serious problems, conditions such as diabetes鈥檚, various types of cancers, stroke, respiratory diseases...keep in mind these are all of chances, it is not guaranteed a person will actually become sick from being over weight...just like someone that smokes for 20 years only has a MUCH higher chance of getting a form of cancer from it鈥?br>
If the health problems were not bad enough, think of all the lost work time, stemming from people that are overweight, the lost work days a year, and especially the lost revenue in health care costs, which are probably mainly provided by

provided by the companies at which the workers are working for. Chronic problems end up becoming huge costs.

Well as stated before, what do you think, if actually possible?

I see your point, and can see the reasoning behind it, but of course it violates personal freedoms, which we are losing at a rapid rate here in the U.S.

So enact this law, people might oblige and lose some weight....But then we could go in further, saying that people who may pass on hereditary conditions such as being prone to heart diesease, cancers, respiratory diseases should not have children.

Then of course we must remember that if a person is not overweight (due to genetics persay), but eat an equally unhealthy diet as an overweight person, will carry some of those same risks. Why do they go without punishment?

And just curious, what would the penalty be if you did not meet the legal weight requirement?

YES!

I understand your argument but have you ever heard of the constitution???

When I actually read this I looked to the left of my screen and saw an advertisement for Weight Watchers.
It made me laugh.

Yer funny lol

I think that it would go aginst there rights. In the end it is there choice if there not happy with how they look they get to make the choice.

Yeah! And then we could force ugly people to get facelifts!!

No, because then people would have to:
1. Stop drinking alchohol
2. Stop doing illegal drugs and some legal ones too
3. Stop having sex
4. Stop smoking
ect ect ect....
You can not force people to change their behaviors. They have to want to change them for themselves. BTW, I am also overweight according the the good 'ole government guidelines

i almost agree with you but i dont believe its possable for a lot of people. theres a connection in the brain that obese people dont have. i forget the chemicals name but it tells you your full. thats why some people have almost unsasiable apitites. couple that with slow metabalism and its a disaster in the USA

As with smokers - you may be required to shed the lbs. to keep your job or health care, etc. I do not think that any of this type of discrimination is okay but this is America and I know in this State, it is an "at will" state and you can be fired or quit for any reason....

i don't think they should be required by law to lose weight... Now if an employer wanted them to lose weight to save on medical costs then I'd say that would be a good thing for both the employee and employer.... If the employee didn't want to comply then the employer should have the right to charge the employee extra for medical visits... Just my opinion...

No I don't, the person who is overwieght needs to decide if they want to loose wieght and be healthy or be overweight and out of shape. What kind of place would america be if you were told you couldn't eat what you wanted? Or you have to weigh a certain amount, that's crap it's the person's choice how they want to live their lives do you want to be healthy or unhealthy? Your choice...

Well, I actually wrote an entire essay on this topic. And in my essay, I did suggest that the countries in western civilization(because they are the main people who need the help and guidance) should mandate an annual exam for everyone, so that they can check percentage of body weight, and overall health. If you fall into a category that does not satisfy the requirements of your height and frame, then you are implemented into a diet program which is obviously mandatory. I realize that this is a form of communism, but it was my opinion at the time and solution to our increasingly growing problem of obesity and issues related to weight.

If the state is going to prescribe and enforce the law, let them pay for it. Further strain on tax dollars oughta bankrupt SS faster than expected. The pharmaceutical, drug, and surgical companies would love it. More money would change hands than on Wall Street.

It's an idea, but it discriminates.

They should not be required by law to lose weight; lots of folk disobey laws. Instead, the should have to PAY to remain obese - and I mean in insurance premiums.
I personally would like to insure my car with a company that does NOT insure motorcycle riders, who CHOSE to be at a higher risk than I and, who I indirectly pay to keep on life-support when the smash their melons.
I used to be 380 pounds; I'm down to 206 and no longer need medications for high blood pressure. It took a few years, but I did it. I'm a loyal, life-time member of Weight Watchers.
I think, for 99.9% of folk, obesity is a choice. It's a disease which they can cure themselves. Perhaps raising insurance rates would give them inspiration.
Good luck with your study; it's a good topic for consideration.

I think that would be a good idea. I know that a lot of people would me more motivated if it was required. There would be a lot less illnesses like asthma, diabetes, heart decease, cholesterol, etc. Without sounding like a "b", I totally agree that it's a great idea.

Only if you are going to outlaw every other health risk that there is out there. Skiers are at risk of breaking bones, cyclists have accidents, fishermen drown, tanners get skin cancer, meat eaters have digestive cancers. Where do you draw the line? You would have to take away all risks in life and that is impossible to do.

As an aside, I thought I'd mention that many potential immigrants to various countries are denied entry on the basis that they are too fat. They're deemed a future drain on the health system. This is New Zealand by the way, which I suppose makes a certain amount of sense as the health care here is almost free to residents.

I can't imagine how that could become a law since so many politicians are over weight. However, if it did become a law in what way would they government make this happen? Force everyone to have surgery? Have a government official live with the person until they lost weight?

You are paying for all of the health care for illegal immigrants as well as those who are incarcerated. What are you going to do about that?

I have a big problem with government requiring anything from someone to do with or not do with their body. I do believe being overweight can cause a lot of health problems (heart, diabetes, joint disorders, respiratory problems, etc) but I don't think the government should require anyone to lose weight.
There are also many things people of an ideal weight do that can jeopardize thier health and there are people born with diabetes, thyroid disorders or cardio problems that will also lead to high health costs. You can penalize someone for genetic problems so if you forced something on someone overweight, it would be a kind of discrimination. And not all overweight people wind up with health problems.
So, I think the best thing for the government to do is maybe give obese people some sort of tax right off if they join a gym or something. I don't have a problem with insurance companies charging more for life or heath insurance if someone is morbidly obese. But then again, that would lead to other problems. Those people would pay higher premiums and have less money left over for routine check-ups or healthy foods. Am I the only one who has noticed most of the inexpensive foods are loaded w/ saturated fat??? You pay more for one organic banana than you do for a 99 cent burger at a fast food joint. If you're poor & hungry, which do you think they'd buy? Common sense says they'll buy the burger to fill them up. So maybe healthy food should be cheaper.
I don't know. But no, the government shouldn't require anybody to lose weight.

i thought of the same thing then quickly dismissed the idea simply because people would that the government is trying to control them and its taking away their freedom. what if someone doesnt mind being fat? what they should do is require that every school starting at grade 1 make kids go to PE classes every school day. In IL high schoolers are required to take pe every day. then as they get older inform them of the dangers of being obese and pound it into them. ofcourse sum people will still be obese because they cant help it.

i also think that people that are currently obese should fill some sort of form where they can get free weight loss advice and a personal trainer and the government covers the cost. hopefully it will pay off when less people are being rushed to emergency rooms.

As a question of legality, unfortunately not, as your references are specific to the private sector. But if you involve any service rendered at the expense of the taxpayer, then, yes of course I agree. As soon as someones obesity is the resposibility of SS, Medicaid or Medicare, they along w/ every smoker and drinker should be stricken from the books. Unless "you' prove that your "lifestyle" did not manufacture the problem. There is no reason why someones elevated medical costs should be the burden of society because they treated their bodies so poorly. But clearly on the other hand if one proves that their heart condition is not from their weight, i.e. Burger King, then I am all for you utilizing the system for your medical needs.

Should smokers be required to quit? Should alcoholics be required to go to rehab? Should anorexics be required to gain weight?
It's all ideal that everyone should be in good health, but the fact remains that we do live in a country that honors free choice. The government does make available to people guidelines to lose weight. It's the choice of the individual. There are people in the world who enjoy being morbidly obese, look at the subculture of feeders (actually don't, you'll be scarred for life) or the huge weight requirements of some fat acceptance groups.

No, of course not...we fight to keep the gov't out of our homes...why would we want them telling us ANOTHER thing we have to do with our bodies? *rolls eyes*

If you think fat people should legally be required to lose weight, then smokers should be legally required to quit smoking; women who cannot afford to raise a child, should be legally required to have an abortion; motorcycles should be outlawed because they are dangerous; all unhealthy foods should be banned because they can cause health issues even if someone doesn't gain weight from them...etc...

Pretty ridiculous huh? WAY more gov't intervention that many (hopefully most) of us want in our lives...

It's my body...I don't want to be told how to live...what to eat, how active to be, what I can do for fun, etc...

Not realistic dude...the gov't shouldn't be in the business to try to save people from themselves...even if it does cost the healthcare system some money...

From a medical standpoint, no. It's their life. If they want to be fat, let them. Employers can fire them for loss of productivity, so it's insulting and unnecessary to require people to lose weight.

Besides, it's totally unrealistic.

Why do you think you're an a**hole? I think it's a valid question. Heart disease is the #1 health risk in our country and it's based on our eating habits.

However, I don't think that making the responsibility lie solely on the consumer is fair. The corporations who sell, market and produce the dangerous foods that we consume have to take responsibility for their actions much like the tobacco companies have to be held responsible for encouraging people to smoke.

The fact that you are enticed to buy a hamburger, fries and a soda that has more fat than you should consume in a week and more calories than you should consume in a day by corporations who tout themselves as American, wholesome food suppliers IS criminal. THEY are the ones who should be held responsible, not their fat victims who've become addicted to the way of life that they've lured us into believing is normal, healthy eating.

How would this be enforced? You can not make a blanket rule of if your BMI is over a certain number or make a scale and say "If you are this hieght you should be this weight". Some people have large frames and this can weigh more without being overweight. Other people have a lot of muscle on their body and muscle weights more than fat.

If you say that it could be enforced by a doctor, what about people who do not have insurance, or just avoid going to the doctor in general? Will police officers have scales in their cars and when they see a person who appears to be overweight, have to have the person step on the scale and give a ticket if they are overweight? What about women who gain waterweight with their periods?

What punishment would result if they did not lose the weight? Jail time? Fines? Community service?

If the weightloss was legally required, what options would be available to the person to lose the weight? Who would pay for it? Would they be sent to fat camps until they lost the weight?

Most importantly, what right does the government have to say "You are fat, you need to lose weight?" If your reasoning for this is because of the health riskes, then the same should go for people who smoke, or drink to much, etc. Pretty soon the entire nation would be in various camps being weening off their bad habits. That sounds a bit to much like 1984 to ever be legal or accepted by the people.

In short, not gunna happen!

I've lost 85 pounds and have kept it off over ten years. I did this by walking every day and eating low fat, and not eating out or drinking pop. I still have high blood pressure, and must take medication. I'm 150 pounds and still think of myself as fat. because of all the comments I received over the years. I remind myself to eat so that I don't get a eating disorder.

Thats why I'm very leary of coorporations "encouraging" employees to lose weight. I think they companies can do that on their own my reducing overtime, getting rid of pop machines and snack machines, coffee trucks, etc. This would force employees to bring a lunch from home. It doesn't need to be tied into health insurance.

Well if it were that easy to lose weight there wouldn't be any overweight people. And yes I am actually extremely overweight and healthier than my doc. My blood pressure, sugar, blood count, everything is perfect including cholesterol. So obesity should not always be related to health issues. Sometimes people are just hefty but yet healthy. So no they should not be made but I do believe if it is that big and issue then why does insurance not help pay for it. If being overweight leads to all these health problems then would it not be cheaper on them to treat the weight and not have the other problems????????????

Have you noticed that as society has "made fat bad" there are more people with disordered eating problems? There are more overweight and obese people in the US today than ever before and there are more anorexics and bulimics.
Have you noticed how the government is doing in "the war on drugs", and "the war on cancer"? Bringing government into peoples personal lives rarely works.
Would you be willing to have your tax dollars used for research and treatments, such as surgery and drugs to treat obesity? Many health insurance companies won't pay for it.
How about banning food ads?
As a country we all need retraining on portion sizes.
Okay, I'll stop now.....lol.