# What should we do about obesity? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 6, 2002, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067 "2002-10-06T14:35:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lucky\_henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc8723/32.png) [@lucky\_henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucky_henry)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/21 "2002-10-07T00:13:24Z")
**Mandelstam** - I believe you when you say you don’t “feel” controlled; but that doesn’t mean you _aren’t_ controlled. Federal, state and local governments in the US control a large part of citizens lives. A brief list: 1. Taxation 2. Various licenses and user fees 3. Zoning entities that dictate how you may use property that you own Hell, _every_ law is a successful attempt by a government to control the population. As to the topic question: “What should we do about obesity?” The answer is we should educate ourselves and our children on the pitfalls associated with obesity, and not rely on government or society to do it for us. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/22 "2002-10-07T00:20:41Z")
All quotes from **SteveEisenberg**. > [@](#): > > **Are we talking about education or indoctrination?** You may want to rephrase that. It sounds a little paranoid. \*\* > [@](#): > > For example, there are studies by leading weigh loss scholars showing that dieting does not work – and other informed opinion to the contrary. Then there are studies showing that eating fat makes you fat, and other studies showing the opposite.\*\* Can you find one study that denies that the combination of an active lifestyle and a balanced diet prevents obesity? \*\* > [@](#): > > Some may want to consult a cover story in the Sunday New York Times Magazine about a month ago regarding the eat fat/be fat debate entitled, “What If It Is All a Big Fat Lie?” Unfortunately, Times articles are not freely available on the Internet after a week. Also unfortunately, the Times author took the side of one particular unconventional diet book author, rather than admiting the extent of medical ignorance.\*\* Tauber’s article was questionable at best. \*\* > [@](#): > > Dietary advice involves matters of fact, not opinion. One day, we will know the truth. However, today is not that day, and just because most people THINK they know “healthy” food is healthy does not prove they are right.\*\* Sure, but we do know something now. Regardless of whether it’s carbs or fat that promote obesity, the main cause is sitting on your ass all day long and eating crap. It’s possible to eat well on any diet, be it Ornish, Atkins, or some other, and the benefits of exercise are hardly contested. \*\* > [@](#): > > The truth is that medical studies involving long term dietary implications are difficult, because who wants to work on something that can’t be published for 50 years?\*\* We don’t need those. Look at pictures from the turn of the century–hardly any obese people there. Additionally, consider the book [Nutrition and Physical Degenaration](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879838167/ref=cm_wl_ovu-pg.2-pos.5/104-2460729-3346321?coliid=I1276XK6VM4SHE), published in the 1930’s. In it, the author took various groups who were not accustomed to a Western diet, and placed them on one. He then took photos that showed their health going straight to hell once their diet was changed. \*\* > [@](#): > > But in the absence of good research, health education almost always perpetuates falsehoods. Read medical history.\*\* You seem to be missing the point here. Everyone agrees that a balanced diet is good for you. The specifics are up for grabs as of yet, but how much does that matter? The truth of it is, there’s probably not one diet which is ideal for everyone, due to the variations in physiology and lifestyle found in modern humans. But the same principles will hold. Additionally, “in the absence of good research, health education almost always perpetuates falsehoods” is the sort of claim that requires support. Please provide examples, and explain how this is different from any other branch of science. \*\* > [@](#): > > Also consider that evolution has selected in favor of humans able to thrive on a wide varieties of diets. \*\* Yep. So? You seem to think that I’m advocating some particular diet here. I’m not. I advocate a balanced diet, with a wide variety of foods, and just enough calories to maintain your weight. Exploring different plans is important, and I’d be suspicious of anyone who tells you that their way is the only way. You do raise some good points, though, and I look forward to further discussion. Welcome to the boards. ---
**Author:** ![Mandelstam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mandelstam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandelstam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/23 "2002-10-07T00:24:37Z")
I think what you mean to say, **manniac** , is that federal and local governments exert a considerable effect over my life. In most (though by no means all) respects I’m glad that they do. Thanks to those taxes that you’re concerned about, I have police and fire departments in my area and my child goes to a pretty decent school. License fees help make sure that, say, people who own restaurants know about sanitation and are inspected on a regular basis. And yeah, thanks to zoning my neighbor can’t turn her house into a loud disco or a toxic dump–much to the detriment of my own domestic needs and the value of my property. Yes, government does indeed exert an effect on my life: and I try to pay attention and make meaningful distinctions between what I approve and what I feel I should question. Businesses also exert an effect on my life and yours. Try to get credit if you’ve gone past due b/c you lost your job for a few months. Try to prevent some companies from collecting data about you–or about your kid when he or she is at school and you don’t expect him to be preyed upon. These are longstanding debates in these parts, manniac, and I sincerely welcome you. But don’t expect to get away with saying ludicrous things unchallenged. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/24 "2002-10-07T00:26:38Z")
All quotes from **SteveEisenberg**. > [@](#): > > **Are we talking about education or indoctrination?** You may want to rephrase that. It sounds a little paranoid. \*\* > [@](#): > > For example, there are studies by leading weigh loss scholars showing that dieting does not work – and other informed opinion to the contrary. Then there are studies showing that eating fat makes you fat, and other studies showing the opposite.\*\* Can you find one study that denies that the combination of an active lifestyle and a balanced diet prevents obesity? \*\* > [@](#): > > Some may want to consult a cover story in the Sunday New York Times Magazine about a month ago regarding the eat fat/be fat debate entitled, “What If It Is All a Big Fat Lie?” Unfortunately, Times articles are not freely available on the Internet after a week. Also unfortunately, the Times author took the side of one particular unconventional diet book author, rather than admiting the extent of medical ignorance.\*\* Tauber’s article was questionable at best. \*\* > [@](#): > > Dietary advice involves matters of fact, not opinion. One day, we will know the truth. However, today is not that day, and just because most people THINK they know “healthy” food is healthy does not prove they are right.\*\* Sure, but we do know something now. Regardless of whether it’s carbs or fat that promote obesity, the main cause is sitting on your ass all day long and eating crap. It’s possible to eat well on any diet, be it Ornish, Atkins, or some other, and the benefits of exercise are hardly contested. \*\* > [@](#): > > The truth is that medical studies involving long term dietary implications are difficult, because who wants to work on something that can’t be published for 50 years?\*\* We don’t need those. Look at pictures from the turn of the century–hardly any obese people there. Additionally, consider the book [Nutrition and Physical Degenaration](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879838167/ref=cm_wl_ovu-pg.2-pos.5/104-2460729-3346321?coliid=I1276XK6VM4SHE), published in the 1930’s. In it, the author took various groups who were not accustomed to a Western diet, and placed them on one. He then took photos that showed their health going straight to hell once their diet was changed. \*\* > [@](#): > > But in the absence of good research, health education almost always perpetuates falsehoods. Read medical history.\*\* You seem to be missing the point here. Everyone agrees that a balanced diet is good for you. The specifics are up for grabs as of yet, but how much does that matter? The truth of it is, there’s probably not one diet which is ideal for everyone, due to the variations in physiology and lifestyle found in modern humans. But the same principles will hold. Additionally, “in the absence of good research, health education almost always perpetuates falsehoods” is the sort of claim that requires support. Please provide examples, and explain how this is different from any other branch of science. \*\* > [@](#): > > Also consider that evolution has selected in favor of humans able to thrive on a wide varieties of diets. \*\* Yep. So? You seem to think that I’m advocating some particular diet here. I’m not. I advocate a balanced diet, with a wide variety of foods, and just enough calories to maintain your weight. Exploring different plans is important, and I’d be suspicious of anyone who tells you that their way is the only way. You do raise some good points, though, and I look forward to further discussion. Welcome to the boards. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/25 "2002-10-07T00:43:31Z")
**manniac** , Well…I think corporate America probably controls my life a lot more … at least in ways that I resent than the government does…But that is off topic. As for the topic at hand, it would be interesting to learn more from other countries. When I’ve been to Japan, I can’t help but notice that there are **no** fat people. (Okay, I know they have sumo wrestlers but I haven’t seen any of them walking the streets!) We are not talking about a third the obesity of the U.S., or a tenth…My guess is that the problem is almost 100X less than in the U.S. And, personally, I would eat a Japanese diet for the rest of my life with much greater happiness than the “average” American diet. And, I recently heard it claimed at least that in France, the women there seem to have much less of a body-image problem than in the U.S…and expend much yet energy worrying about dieting and the like. And, yet, my impression is that despite not being as obsessed with dieting et al. there, the folks still have much less obesity. (When a guy I know who visited there and was chatting up a women told her that he was American, she said, “No…it can’t be. You have no…how do you say?..pot belly!”) So, it is win-win! So, the question is…What can we do in our society to emulate these other countries? My guess is that it will involve dethroning the automobile as the **sole** significant source of transportation for most people. And, finding some way to combat the overwhelming food industry mantra getting us to stuff our faces with ungodly amounts of food and calories … How we do this I am not sure. But, more aggressive laws about caloric labeling (e.g., in fast food restaurants) and public education campaigns whose expenditures add up to at least a tiny fraction of what the food industry spends seems like one place to start. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/26 "2002-10-07T00:45:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Giraffe \* > \*\*It’s not the government’s place to force its citizens to be healthy, in my opinion. If I want to eat pizza three times a day and die ten years sooner, that should be my right. \*\* I agree with you that people should have the right to eat what they want. Do you think it is fair for the healthy non-obese people to bear the costs associated with the obese person’s lifestyle? In a similar vein, I have no problem with people smoking four packs a day. However, I think they should have to pay society for that decision, through taxes, higher health-insurance premiums etc. to offset the burdens that they create on the healthcare system. I don’t want people to be forced to quit smoking (by making smoking illegal), I just want them to pay for their decisions. Maybe the smoking analogy fails when you get to fat, but I am not so sure. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/27 "2002-10-07T00:48:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mandelstam \* > \*\*I think what you mean to say, **manniac** , is that federal and local governments exert a considerable effect over my life… > > (Stuff deleted) > > These are longstanding debates in these parts, manniac, and I sincerely welcome you. But don’t expect to get away with saying ludicrous things unchallenged. \*\* It seems to me that his statement that the government does control certain parts of your life is very obviously true. So how is it “ludicrous”? It’s rather obviously true, and it’s sort of a pedestrian, master-of-the-obvious statement. Of COURSE the government controls parts of your life. It’s part of living in a civilized society; if the government didn’t control some aspects of your life then it would have no purpose for existing. And you seem to agree, saying “the federal and local governments exert a considerable effect over my life.” And then, you disagree, saying it’s “ludicrous.” Pick one, wouldja? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/28 "2002-10-07T00:55:10Z")
All quotes from **SteveEisenberg**. > [@](#): > > **Are we talking about education or indoctrination?** You may want to rephrase that. It sounds a little paranoid. \*\* > [@](#): > > For example, there are studies by leading weigh loss scholars showing that dieting does not work – and other informed opinion to the contrary. Then there are studies showing that eating fat makes you fat, and other studies showing the opposite.\*\* Can you find one study that denies that the combination of an active lifestyle and a balanced diet prevents obesity? \*\* > [@](#): > > Some may want to consult a cover story in the Sunday New York Times Magazine about a month ago regarding the eat fat/be fat debate entitled, “What If It Is All a Big Fat Lie?” Unfortunately, Times articles are not freely available on the Internet after a week. Also unfortunately, the Times author took the side of one particular unconventional diet book author, rather than admiting the extent of medical ignorance.\*\* Tauber’s article was questionable at best. \*\* > [@](#): > > Dietary advice involves matters of fact, not opinion. One day, we will know the truth. However, today is not that day, and just because most people THINK they know “healthy” food is healthy does not prove they are right.\*\* Sure, but we do know something now. Regardless of whether it’s carbs or fat that promote obesity, the main cause is sitting on your ass all day long and eating crap. It’s possible to eat well on any diet, be it Ornish, Atkins, or some other, and the benefits of exercise are hardly contested. \*\* > [@](#): > > The truth is that medical studies involving long term dietary implications are difficult, because who wants to work on something that can’t be published for 50 years?\*\* We don’t need those. Look at pictures from the turn of the century–hardly any obese people there. Additionally, consider the book [Nutrition and Physical Degenaration](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879838167/ref=cm_wl_ovu-pg.2-pos.5/104-2460729-3346321?coliid=I1276XK6VM4SHE), published in the 1930’s. In it, the author took various groups who were not accustomed to a Western diet, and placed them on one. He then took photos that showed their health going straight to hell once their diet was changed. \*\* > [@](#): > > But in the absence of good research, health education almost always perpetuates falsehoods. Read medical history.\*\* You seem to be missing the point here. Everyone agrees that a balanced diet is good for you. The specifics are up for grabs as of yet, but how much does that matter? The truth of it is, there’s probably not one diet which is ideal for everyone, due to the variations in physiology and lifestyle found in modern humans. But the same principles will hold. Additionally, “in the absence of good research, health education almost always perpetuates falsehoods” is the sort of claim that requires support. Please provide examples, and explain how this is different from any other branch of science. \*\* > [@](#): > > Also consider that evolution has selected in favor of humans able to thrive on a wide varieties of diets. \*\* Yep. So? You seem to think that I’m advocating some particular diet here. I’m not. I advocate a balanced diet, with a wide variety of foods, and just enough calories to maintain your weight. Exploring different plans is important, and I’d be suspicious of anyone who tells you that their way is the only way. You do raise some good points, though, and I look forward to further discussion. Welcome to the boards. ---
**Author:** ![Mandelstam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mandelstam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandelstam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/29 "2002-10-07T00:57:03Z")
Gosh, Rick, you’re having an awful lot of trouble with my posts these days! If you read **manniac** ’s posts again I think you’ll notice the distinction between his insisting that government “controls” my life and my qualified statement. Had manniac said, as you did, that government controls “certain parts of [one’s] life,” then his (her?) statement would not be ludicrous. Have you switched to decaf recently? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lucky\_henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc8723/32.png) [@lucky\_henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucky_henry)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/30 "2002-10-07T00:57:03Z")
Thanks, **RickJay**. I was trying to figure out how to reply to the charge of being “ludicrous”, and you summed it up nicely. I’ll stand by original post that we don’t need government controlling another facet of our lives. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/31 "2002-10-07T01:01:53Z")
There’s a big difference between “exerting considerable influence” and “controlling”. If the government controls what I do, I have no choice in the matter. If the government exerts considerable influence, then I do have a choice, although my options may be limited by the government. It’s a subtle distinction, but present nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Mandelstam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mandelstam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandelstam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/32 "2002-10-07T01:08:30Z")
Ah dear, it was me who needed to re-read manniac’s very first post as opposed to his second one in which s/he wrote _“I believe you when you say you don’t “feel” controlled; but that doesn’t mean you aren’t controlled.”_ That strikes me as pretty ludicrous. As to the first post, I stick to my point. I don’t think government “controls” any aspect of my life. I think that’s an exaggerated way of characterizing what it is government does. But I don’t think that it’s ludicrous, as I don’t think what you said was ludicrous, Rick. And I certainly don’t think that removing fast-food outlets from schools would exert any kind of undue control. Fair’ nuff? And, yes, I have recently switched to decaf ;). ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/33 "2002-10-07T01:17:12Z")
**Manniac** no one is advocating taking control of your life. Government is well within its rights to use its regulatory and taxation powers to control peoples’ conduct. Personally I prefer the use of markets whenever possible, hence the FWAP idea I posted above. In an ideal world I would say just let the private insurance companies create the market insentives to drive people to be thin by denying health insurance converage to high risk obese people. Since in this world those people would then just fall on to government medical programs we need to use some other incentive to force people to be healthy. Again, it could be that the transaction costs associated with any regulation in this area will be so high that there is no way to accomplish this goal, in which case society just has to eat its losses. ---
**Author:** ![Mandelstam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mandelstam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandelstam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/34 "2002-10-07T01:19:47Z")
Oh and thanks **ultrafilter** , I just saw yours. I don’t want to quibble but I gotta say–when it comes to government–the difference between “exerting considerable influence” and “control” seems to me not so subtle. But enough of this hijacking from me: there are, heaven knows!, enough opportunities to debate these issues on threads that bear more directly on the subject of government. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/35 "2002-10-07T01:19:58Z")
I meant to say “influence peoples’ conduct”, NOT control! Government does not control people, it simply presents them with choices and consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Mandelstam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mandelstam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandelstam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/36 "2002-10-07T01:26:18Z")
Pleasure to make your acquaintance, **Rhum Runner**. I see there has been a veritable seismic shift away from caffeine. Has anyone considered the impact this might have on controlling–oops, influencing–people’s obesity? \ ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/37 "2002-10-07T01:31:16Z")
Damn it! One of those Freudian slips! Honestly, it’s all about choices and options and markets! Honestly! 😃 Rhum Member of the Secret Weight **Control** Agency ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/38 "2002-10-07T01:33:41Z")
Damn it! One of those Freudian slips! Honestly, it’s all about choices and options and markets! Honestly! 😃 Oh, and caffeine is good for weight loss right? Doesn’t it suppress your appetite? No-Doz for everyone! Rhum ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/39 "2002-10-07T01:41:44Z")
If taxing needs to be done, it certainly shouldn’t be simply on people who are (categorized according to whomever) fat, nor on a ‘per calorie’ basis. The fact of the matter is that eating a diet for healthy weight loss IS difficult for many people. **ultrafilter** , you may believe that every person who is overweight is that way simply because they refuse to stop “sitting on [their] ass[es] all day long and eating crap”, but it’s not quite as simple as that. “Crap”, as you so ineptly put it, is difficult to always quantify, especially for people who are weight-gain prone. (Yes, it may be possible for you to easily maintain a certain weight no matter what you eat. Certain people are blessed with that ability.) Virtually any food can fit within a healthy or unhealthy diet, and a lot of people – myself included – have a hard time understanding what constitutes healthy. I am a reasonably intelligent person, but because of a lifetime of various diets and methods, I really hadn’t a clue what I should be eating. For a long time, my expectations were unrealistically high, and this caused me to fail many times. (Also, most weight-loss sites do not take into account vegetarianism, something which I am unwilling to give up. When I went to a nutritionist, she flatly told me that she had no idea what I should eat and told me that the only way she could help me was if I started eating meat. I am still looking.) Economics is a huge issue. I know that the hardest time I have with losing weight is simply the financial expense. Low-cost foods are often nutrient poor, causing cravings that, in turn, cause overeating. Low-calorie or ‘diet’ foods, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, are also costly. Check at the grocery store – low fat, or whole-grain, or otherwise healthy versions will nearly always cost more. Exercise is, additionally, more difficult than it sounds. If you are working a lot, or working more than one job, or a student who is working, you do not have so much time to exercise. Walking is free, but most of the country experiences unseasonable weather. Gym memberships are quite expensive and out of reach for many people. An “active lifestyle” is difficult when most people are at jobs all day long that are sedentary! Support groups and education, too, are expensive. I have been looking into Weight Watchers as my mother has found it very effective. Do you realize how costly it is? I believe it is something like $80 for ten weeks, and that’s just the cost of meetings and the starting packet – not any food or anything. I’m finally at the point where I can afford this expense and I hope it will help me. If we want obesity to decrease and we want to use the government to do so, then we should make healthy options more available and affordable. Workplaces could be given tax incentives to provide healthy foods at their cafeterias and exercise rooms for their employees to use. A healthy, balanced diet should not be a large financial sacrifice. We could have funding for education on balanced diets and methods for responsible wait loss, particularly around the holidays. We have a culture that loves food and loves to overeat. I’m not saying it’s impossible to lose weight on very little funds. People do succeed against all sorts of challenges. However, all of the things I mentioned make things difficult. I know I have struggled this for all of my life, even when I was too young to understand, nor to make intelligent choices for myself. (I was overweight even as an infant and placed on my first diet before I could even walk.) Genetics, culture, economics, and all other sorts of causes complicate the matter far more than just being an issue of willpower, **ultrafilter**. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2002, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067/40 "2002-10-07T01:56:45Z")
How to keep kids from becoming obese? Replace middle-school gym classes with [Dance Dance Revolution](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/06/13/earlyshow/contributors/tracysmith/main512169.shtml). > [@](#): > > “In, like, two weeks, I’ve lost 15 pounds,” [one student] says. > > The machines also teach things like balance, timing, and coordination. But some people learn faster than others. > > It takes a lot of practice. And for sedentary students, that’s the point. > > “The key is to get them interested in getting physically fit and staying that way for life. It’s what it’s all about,” says coach Fenwick. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-obesity/131067.md?page=3)