$2.1 million to reduce obesity rates in Canberra

thebrownstreak69 said :

magiccar9 said :

devils_advocate said :

My initiative is to amend the discrimination act so that it is no longer illegal for people or organisations to discriminate against the obese. So basically business as usual but with more complete information.

No direct costs to society and builds financial incentives into the system.

Very nice idea. When an obese person realises they can’t get a job because they’re too fat, perhaps that will be a better incentive. Same goes for getting into a restaurant, on a bus/train, etc. This change would allow the interviewer (or whoever) to tell them so.
I think we need less ‘hand holding’ for obese people. In most cases they got themselves into this situation, so they need to step up and take some responsibility to get out.
I also don’t see how the Government’s money is going to do anything about the issue, they can fund all the incentives under the sun, but its not going to get the fatties through the door to utilise them.

I wonder how this would read if we changed the words ‘obese person’ to ‘drug addict’.

Not very much. AFAIK it’s currently not legal to discriminate against someone purely on the basis of an addiction (drug affected maybe different, addiction discrimination probably a no-no). But as with obesity, people are probably reluctant to hire addicts of any kind and the only effect of the law will be to force them to find some other plausible reason for them not getting the job.

Ben_Dover said :

dtc said :

If we could just get rid of the ‘calories in vs calories out’ belief, that would be a good start.

???????

As noted below, not all calories are the same. Cliffs version: some calories require a lot of effort on behalf of the body to process. For example it is much harder for the body to process, say, a steak or some vegetables compared with a sugary soft drink or chocolate. Healthy foods create a ‘thermic effect’.

Sugar is the devil. It takes zero effort to digest, and leads to accumulation of visceral fat, which is the bad one that everyone seems to ignore. Probably also why sugary junk gives you immediate gratification then you have a sugar crash and either feel like crap or need more. By contrast a nice steak with some veg and maybe a little bit of complex carbs if not too late in the day and you’re ready for anything.

Ben_Dover said :

dtc said :

If we could just get rid of the ‘calories in vs calories out’ belief, that would be a good start.

???????

Yep it’s apparently not that simple for not all calories are the same

http://www.antiagingworld.net/calories-weight-loss/

magiccar9 said :

devils_advocate said :

My initiative is to amend the discrimination act so that it is no longer illegal for people or organisations to discriminate against the obese. So basically business as usual but with more complete information.

No direct costs to society and builds financial incentives into the system.

Very nice idea. When an obese person realises they can’t get a job because they’re too fat, perhaps that will be a better incentive. Same goes for getting into a restaurant, on a bus/train, etc. This change would allow the interviewer (or whoever) to tell them so.
I think we need less ‘hand holding’ for obese people. In most cases they got themselves into this situation, so they need to step up and take some responsibility to get out.
I also don’t see how the Government’s money is going to do anything about the issue, they can fund all the incentives under the sun, but its not going to get the fatties through the door to utilise them.

I wonder how this would read if we changed the words ‘obese person’ to ‘drug addict’.

dtc said :

If we could just get rid of the ‘calories in vs calories out’ belief, that would be a good start.

???????

devils_advocate said :

My initiative is to amend the discrimination act so that it is no longer illegal for people or organisations to discriminate against the obese. So basically business as usual but with more complete information.

No direct costs to society and builds financial incentives into the system.

Very nice idea. When an obese person realises they can’t get a job because they’re too fat, perhaps that will be a better incentive. Same goes for getting into a restaurant, on a bus/train, etc. This change would allow the interviewer (or whoever) to tell them so.
I think we need less ‘hand holding’ for obese people. In most cases they got themselves into this situation, so they need to step up and take some responsibility to get out.
I also don’t see how the Government’s money is going to do anything about the issue, they can fund all the incentives under the sun, but its not going to get the fatties through the door to utilise them.

I’d like to see some of the money invested in mouth gags for over-compensating ex-fatties who preach on and on about their belated discovery of self-discipline.

LSWCHP said :

I’m tall with low bady fat and high muscle mass, 60 bpm resting heartrate, BP is generally around 115/65, great cholesterol etc etc. In short, I’m in tremendous shape for an old bastard.

If the gummint gives me only half (yes, you read that right) of that $2.1 Million, I will tell them my secret.

Pole dancing.

Ha – secret’s out, you get nothing!

neanderthalsis said :

as a wee lad in primary school in the early 80’s we did what was termed a “health hustle” every morning.

In the late 80s we had the “long run” where we would run a lap around the school after lunch and were timed. Gold stars were given to those kids who improved their lap times. We also had the health hustle (to such classics as Nutbush City Limits, Bad Bad Leeroy Brown and Do the Bartman), Blocko, T-ball, Red Rover and a sports shed full of equipment you could go and grab to have a game.

We also had a few teachers who would make you run laps if you were acting up. Imagine the uproar if that happened in school today.

I’m tall with low bady fat and high muscle mass, 60 bpm resting heartrate, BP is generally around 115/65, great cholesterol etc etc. In short, I’m in tremendous shape for an old bastard.

If the gummint gives me only half (yes, you read that right) of that $2.1 Million, I will tell them my secret.

neanderthalsis said :

And think your study on the failings of the food pyramid happened a good many years ago: http://bit.ly/15vF5rP

Yeah, thanks for that. You did notice, however, that nonetheless the governments of most of the western world have just released another ‘recommended food pyramid’ (except as a plate) that is more or less the same as the old one? So maybe they should take money away from the public health people pushing that barrow and give it to the anti obesity people?

If we could just get rid of the ‘calories in vs calories out’ belief, that would be a good start.

Kids at my son’s school have been given a ‘movement band’ that apparently measures how far they move each day (like a pedometer but measures all movement). Everyone is getting 10km plus per day; but its an inner north school, so obviously that is expected….

My initiative is to amend the discrimination act so that it is no longer illegal for people or organisations to discriminate against the obese. So basically business as usual but with more complete information.

No direct costs to society and builds financial incentives into the system.

Well I for one will be putting forward a proposal for this wonderful initiative

dtc said :

neanderthalsis said :

$2.1 million for anti-obesity work against a population of some 380 000 equates to one cheese burger meal per head of population.

Here’s an idea, put the coin into upgrading walking paths around our lakes or putting new community gym equipment into local parks.

Fix the paving along Emu Bank so that runners don’t risk broken ankles on cracked paving that moves underfoot. Put better lighting on walking tracks and bike paths to encourage people to use them after dark. Legislate 30 minutes of compulsory exercise into all schools and workplaces daily. Buy every 10 year old in the territory a new bike.

Just don’t give it to special interest groups who will form a committee that examines how to get Canberrans to drive less and cycle more.

So, basically, improve the facilities for people who already use the facilities, and give kids a bike? Oh, and add another burden to the teachers (because its the kids that are generally obese rather than the 50 years olds?)

How about ‘do a study on the food pyramid and why its wrong for a lot of people’

Maybe I should be less subtle when I transition from sensible options into sarcastic remarks. But on the 30 mins of exercise issue, as a wee lad in primary school in the early 80’s we did what was termed a “health hustle” every morning. We were, rather comically , led by a nun in full habbit and wimple as we jumped, ran and carried on. It didn’t seem to overburden the teachers or detract from other learning back then. In fact I do believe that it drained energy from some of the more boisterous lads (myself included) so that we were less of a disruptive element in class. Developing a good knowledge of nutrition and fitness as well as having good examples set at home and school will set you up for a healthier life later on (unless you choose to ignore that learning, in which case, enjoy your diabetes).

Additionally, improved recreational facilities will increase the number of people accessing them.

And think your study on the failings of the food pyramid happened a good many years ago: http://bit.ly/15vF5rP

Why is the ACT Government wasting OUR money on talkfests about people who should eat less and exercise more? I am sure that the $2.1m could be spent on something that affects ALL Canberrans, not just the obese ones.

Oh, the feet in the picture are not those of an obese person but he /she needs to see a podiatrist, those little piggies look awfully painful.

I have just started the muscledude_oz Community Initiative on Fitness and Obesity Reduction. At the moment we have only one member who belongs to three gyms and works out and swims laps seven days a week. Please send our grant to muscledude_oz c/- RiotACT.

it’s called stop sitting your fat arse and it’s free

McDonalds actually sponsors alot of activities and community groups already. Consider that a heavy user of McDonalds is considered someone who eats it more than once a week.

Also consider that a small child (8) gets a free happy meal as an achievement award for sport. Mum and dad take them there to redeem it only small child has a brother (6) and sister (4) Mum and dad aren’t going to make seperate meals and everyone gets fed at maccas (2 happy meals and 2 adult meals and maybe dessert) Mcdonald’s is happy lots of business for a very small outlay.

Bring back the bike safety centre. Clean up the lakes to make them usable Oct-March. cheaper sports field/facility hire or have the ACT covered for sports liability cover.

p1 said :

In my experience, Americans don’t know what a stone is.

But they sure as hell know what a quarter pounder is..

p1 said :

poetix said :

I lost 20 kilos on vodka and fruit. I will write a breathlessly stupid book about the experience for a modest sum.

I’m on a similar diet, but offsetting rather a lot of beer with exercise.

poetix said :

Also, if the man on the scales weighs just under eight stone (I suspect that it is a seppo scale), I doubt that he needs to lose weight.

In my experience, Americans don’t know what a stone is.

Oops!

poetix said :

Funny that the information session is being held at a Centre that has the word ‘burger’ in its title.

Well, almost.

Mmmmmm… rheinbugers…

poetix said :

I lost 20 kilos on vodka and fruit. I will write a breathlessly stupid book about the experience for a modest sum.

Can you give us the cliffs?

I have been going to the gym five times a week for years and keep gaining weight, I’m now classified as obese. the fitnus industry has failed me. Son I am disappoint. Want grant to get over my rage.
4×100/6×120/4×160

poetix said :

I lost 20 kilos on vodka and fruit. I will write a breathlessly stupid book about the experience for a modest sum.

I’m on a similar diet, but offsetting rather a lot of beer with exercise.

poetix said :

Also, if the man on the scales weighs just under eight stone (I suspect that it is a seppo scale), I doubt that he needs to lose weight.

In my experience, Americans don’t know what a stone is.

I lost 20 kilos on vodka and fruit. I will write a breathlessly stupid book about the experience for a modest sum.

Also, if the man on the scales weighs just under eight stone (I suspect that it is a seppo scale), I doubt that he needs to lose weight.

neanderthalsis said :

$2.1 million for anti-obesity work against a population of some 380 000 equates to one cheese burger meal per head of population.

Here’s an idea, put the coin into upgrading walking paths around our lakes or putting new community gym equipment into local parks.

Fix the paving along Emu Bank so that runners don’t risk broken ankles on cracked paving that moves underfoot. Put better lighting on walking tracks and bike paths to encourage people to use them after dark. Legislate 30 minutes of compulsory exercise into all schools and workplaces daily. Buy every 10 year old in the territory a new bike.

Just don’t give it to special interest groups who will form a committee that examines how to get Canberrans to drive less and cycle more.

So, basically, improve the facilities for people who already use the facilities, and give kids a bike? Oh, and add another burden to the teachers (because its the kids that are generally obese rather than the 50 years olds?)

How about ‘do a study on the food pyramid and why its wrong for a lot of people’

Madam Cholet said :

YeahBuddy said :

Subsidise the fees for my chosen sport ACT Government. I will keep playing and not get fat, and therefore not be a public health burden

Doesn’t mcDonalds already sponsor sport here – at least for the kiddies. Odd that a company who sells crap in a packet is out there advertising their brand at sports events.

And don’t get me started on selling Freddo frogs to raise money.

When I was at school, we were made to get sponsors for our annual run. Didn’t enjoy it at the time, but it makes more sense than flogging chocolate or tying your healthy sport to crap food. Maybe it’s needs must when the devil etc etc. but there must be better ways than closing the gate after the fat horse has waddled out.

Maccas don’t sponsor us, and even if they did it wouldn’t go towards decreasing the ridiculous fees we pay to stay fit and active (and receive terrible support from the “Association” ).

Some peeps will stay fat no matter where the money goes, send it to the people that are already trying to stay fit and tax the fatties on their junk food/take away.

YeahBuddy said :

Subsidise the fees for my chosen sport ACT Government. I will keep playing and not get fat, and therefore not be a public health burden

Doesn’t mcDonalds already sponsor sport here – at least for the kiddies. Odd that a company who sells crap in a packet is out there advertising their brand at sports events.

And don’t get me started on selling Freddo frogs to raise money.

When I was at school, we were made to get sponsors for our annual run. Didn’t enjoy it at the time, but it makes more sense than flogging chocolate or tying your healthy sport to crap food. Maybe it’s needs must when the devil etc etc. but there must be better ways than closing the gate after the fat horse has waddled out.

Stop funding lots of stuff that makes it easier to be a lazy slob. Ie: free parking.

what a waste of money, stop eating rubbish food and do some exercise, it worked for me and my previously ‘chubby’ family

Here’s an idea:

‘Expend more energy than you consume’

So, where do I pick-up my $2.1 million?

$2.1 million for anti-obesity work against a population of some 380 000 equates to one cheese burger meal per head of population.

Here’s an idea, put the coin into upgrading walking paths around our lakes or putting new community gym equipment into local parks.

Fix the paving along Emu Bank so that runners don’t risk broken ankles on cracked paving that moves underfoot. Put better lighting on walking tracks and bike paths to encourage people to use them after dark. Legislate 30 minutes of compulsory exercise into all schools and workplaces daily. Buy every 10 year old in the territory a new bike.

Just don’t give it to special interest groups who will form a committee that examines how to get Canberrans to drive less and cycle more.

Subsidise the fees for my chosen sport ACT Government. I will keep playing and not get fat, and therefore not be a public health burden

More bribing of special interest groups with our money. Anyone would think, the way the ACT government sprays its numerous grant program dollars around, that there was nothing more pressing that needed to be done around town. It’s just buying votes with taxpayers’ money.

How on earth can a community group affect obesity levels in society? Do they know something that hordes of researchers and medicos all over the Western world have missed?

Snipers outside MickyDees*

*May not get past the ethics committee.

Funny that the information session is being held at a Centre that has the word ‘burger’ in its title.

Well, almost.