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I call on docs for a living. I can tell you that I know of none who rely on the BMI index. They realized the problem with it years ago.
Body fat % is much more reliable as one important variable in calculations or assessments of relative health, i.e. metabolic syndrome, CAD risk, Framingham CHD, etc.
I think that people should take more personal responsibility for their health. I think it's bullshit that people are saying that Americans are forced to eat. No one is holding a gun to anyone's head. It's a personal choice to eat at McDonalds or go buy something healthy.
Also, people say that it is the economic condition that has led to such a high obesity level. The argument is, poor people can't afford healthy food. While it is true that health food is expensive, it's also true that you don't need health food to lose weight. Instead of a supersized burger, fries, and a large coke (diet, of course :rolleyes: ), bring a salad. It works out cheaper, and it's healthier, and tastes a lot better. Don't buy the premixed salads, make your own out of cabbage etc. It's cheap. It's easy. It's heathy. Also, exercise is free. So it's not the economic condition. It's laziness.
Normally, i would agree that fat people should pay more because, through a lifestyle choice, they cost more to support. However, where do you draw the line? Will people that work in restaurants that allow smoking have to pay more because of the second hand smoke inhalation? Will people that drive unsafe cars have to pay more? Will people that enjoy extreme sports (such as skiing) have to pay more?
It isn't just fat people that cost the taxpayers money. There are a lot of different groups. Obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed. Personally, i can't stand morbidly obese people, even if they're really nice. Call me prejudiced, but that's how i feel.
If we can draw the line at fat people, smokers, etc paying more, that's great. But sports like skiing are expensive enough as it is, and i wouldn't want to be punished for enjoying a relatively healthy (albeit dangerous) activity.
AIG has been developing a technology that basically is a floating rate life insurance premium. corrolated to the riskiness of what you're doing. cost prohibitive for most of us.
Quote:
Originally posted by mr_gyptian
AIG has been developing a technology that basically is a floating rate life insurance premium. corrolated to the riskiness of what you're doing. cost prohibitive for most of us.
Yeah, gotta pay for those primetime TV ads they buy and skyscrapers they build.
I interviewed at one of their Re-Insurance arms. I half expected Darth Vader to interview me. Those doods are man eaters.
Nightline devoted an episode to this issue earlier this week. It asked the question of why is America the first society in history where the poor people are fat?Quote:
Originally posted by Samwich
Also, people say that it is the economic condition that has led to such a high obesity level. The argument is, poor people can't afford healthy food.
The problem in many poor neighborhoods is not the cost of food, but rather access to it. Many poor neighborhoods don't have good supermarkets, forcing people to shop at Bodegas and convenience stores.
I think the biggest problem is portion size- IE Ten years ago the soda machines sold 12 oz. cans. Now they all sell 20 oz bottles. That's about a hundred extra calories. And everything is supersize and mega value meal.
Everyone who bitches and moans about how hard is is to lose weight should realize that if they just made a few minor lifestyle changes, they might not be in the predicament. I mean, do you really have to drive from one end of the strip mall to the other? Take a fucking walk, you fat fucking fucks!