Fatties have loomed large in the press of late. These from the Telegraph...
"SIR - There was a time when being obese was socially unacceptable and the obese were teased mercilessly in the playground. This was an incentive for children to moderate their eating and for their parents to do something about it, otherwise life at school was unbearable.
These days, suggesting to patients that they walk a few miles three or four times a week results in stares of disbelief. Obesity in children is a failure of parenting, and in adults a failure of self-discipline. Free health care and political correctness are damaging the health of the nation.
Dr Alexander Barber
Camberley, Surrey
SIR - I read with dismay the Royal College of Physicians' concern that the NHS is
ill-equipped to deal with the obesity problems of the future. I have no sympathy with those who are irresponsible and undisciplined when it comes to what they consume, be it food or drink.
Our health service is for those with genuine and unexpected illnesses, not for those with self-inflicted conditions. At an estimated additional cost of £5 billion a year on top of the present £10 billion costs, it is complete madness not to insist that those people who are obese take full responsibility for their condition, instead of the NHS.
J E Thomson
Sudbury, Suffolk
SIR - For the past two years I have been carrying out voluntary work which involves my visiting and spending time at local hospitals. During that time I have become aware of the glaringly large number of NHS staff who are clearly obese.
Before bemoaning the "inadequate" provision of treatment available I think the authority should look at the example shown by their own operation.
Andrew Barratt
Bellingdon, Buckinghamshire"
From the Guardian...
Obese people could face benefit cuts
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/03/obesity-benefits-cuts
Not much; nothing so far, on curbs on advertising, sugar/fat content, MSG etc.
As there may be one or two here whose bones are on the
big side. Is it helpful to learn of all the incentivisation you received at School?