Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
Where I live occupations are generally 8 hours a day, so if you are working 16+ hours a day, then it is likely your occupation will dictate your body.
|
Sorry I was reading it as 16 hours a week for some reason.
The average american work week is no longer 8 hours though. 50-60+ hour weeks are more common. Thus America is working itself to death slowly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
There are standardized BMIs and although I don't think rewarding or punishing could work in the US, I could see how it might work in Japan. It's not simply "the government" deciding. It would be health care officials, doctors, etc.
|
Apparently the American government feels (in HR 3962 SEC. 2535 - the House Health care bill) that losing weight or eating better, no smoking and no drinking, deserve grants and contracts. This applies to business and schools.
If we have all this control, do we need our respective governments to reward / punish these entities or individuals based our individual decisions or the hand delt to specifics? Do we need our employer watching what we consume? Do we need to burden children more about their weight in addition to the current stress of school?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
On the other hand, what we are doing in the US now is not working. Obesity and extreme obesity are becoming the norm. I remember coming home from Japan and really being disgusted by looking at people walking around the mall. Look at the food that is advertised in commercials here. The vast majority of it is unhealthy, from Double Quarter-Pounders to Sizzlin' Skillets at Chili's...it's mostly sugar and fat.
|
Yes you are right. These same food choices though are available in Japan. Its just the traditional diet and healthier alternatives are also readily available. I definitely agree that healthier affordable choices should come to America.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
I am not sure how you can say health education and sex education are "apples and oranges". Learning about healthy choices in diets and learning about healthy choices in sex pretty much go hand in hand. They are both about learning about your body and deciding what is best for you.
|
Drop the sex ed thing.. its so not what is being discussed here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
About that office place, there are exercises you can do sitting at your desk. Again, you can either make excuses or make decisions. It's all about mindset. The city I live in has the highest percentage of bicycle commuters in the country. It is also one of the rainiest cities. Still, people bike to work.
|
If you live in Seattle or Portland, sure.... the most biker friendly commuting citites in the nation. Now try to commute on your bike in the north east of the urban sprawls of the south east and your in for a world of hurt. Will you at least agree that biking and walking are just not options in many parts of America?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
Since when do Japanese businessmen have more vacation time than in the US?
|
You haven't heard? The USA is a No-vacation nation.
http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/...o_Holidays.pdf