[Sinestra]

I do think teaching children health habits young and leading by example is important for health. The good habit which prevent obesity should start sooner rather than later. I see people all the time who complain and say i really should lose weight or i should exercise more, they say this while chopping down a giant greasy factory of a burger and finish while washing it down with a coke or a venti extra whip chocolate frap from Starbucks. These people i dont take seriously and nature will take reap its ugly punishment on them in the form of diabetes, a stroke, heart problems ect ect. Despite what most will say image is important and when people see an overweight person they dont immdietaly think well that person but have a thyroid problem or is predisposed to being overweight (which im not sold on i dont care what science says)

Citizens should take pride in being healthy now some of us are built a bit differently and yes there will be some who are larger than others but not at the proportions i see everyday. Its laziness its not that hard to shed some pounds you dont have to go to the gym everyday you can do activties in your everyday life to help. Instead of driving to the park hey take a walk or ride a bike. There is nothing wrong with red meat in moderation but dont go whoofing down Mcdonalds (which i dont eat EVER) 4 times a week. If you are pressed for time there are other healthier alternatives to fast food. Also, mental health plays a roll in weight as well. If you are unhappy or stressed out not only will it lower your immune system but we tend to make poor choice while in this Emo state hence the snacking on unhealthy food and beverages. We all get depressed sometimes and everyone gets stressed out from time to time thats a natural part of life but we need to be more aware and train ourselves not to eat unhealthy foods when we are feeling down. If you have a beer belly well...........im not going to tell you to stop drinking beer but dont think your winning any marathons or with that gut your dragging around. If you cant walk up a flight of stairs without breathing hard you have a problem.

Having said all that do i think the Government should play a roll in curbing obesity Yes and No. No because i dont think the US nor the Japanese government should be going around the work place measuring your waist line. Not only is it an invasion of privacy but it could cause deep seeded resentment and cause more unhealthy behavior like bulimia nervosa or Anorexia. What if the person thinks their job depends on their appearance? not mention moral in the work place could fall. There are good ways and bad way about implementing change and i feel this is one of the bad ones.

However, the government should focus on not allowing such obesity to take hold and reduce it. Which means health and dietary information in schools like i said hook them on good habits while they are young or at least make an attempt. Now i know Japanese School lunches are significantly more healthier than US school lunches the US could learn a thing or two and i read an article that mentioned something like American looking at how other Educational systems function to improve it at home. I saw what my nephew ate for lunch in his Elementary school and trust me a week later he was carrying his lunch to school. Education is the key just like anything but the person also has to want to be healthy we can force people to do things more often than not it has the opposite effect. Its just like a smoker that smoker knows that smoking increases the chances of lung cancer but they continue to smoke anyway either out of habit or because they made the choice and dont care about the consequences.

I do things in moderation i take walks whenever possible and i run 3 times a week. I eat moderately healthy but every now and then i indulge myself but not everyday. I have a beer with some friends every now and then once again in moderation. Granted a person may say that im tall and thin because thats how im built but thats not the whole truth im sure if ate unhealthy all the time didnt exercise i could put on some lbs. I take care of myself but i damn well will not tell someone else how to live their life nor should the government to a certain extent. Look at the Feds have done with cigarettes they keep increasing the taxes on them so does the state. They cant force you to quit but they can make them so expensive you dont want to spend money on them anymore. Smoking is down by a significant margin in my state and the sounding ones.

Someone mentioned being rewarded for not being overweight and being punished if you are. I dont know how to answer that one but what pisses me off is that when i am not obese and in good health a couple of lazy obese people (the ones that could change if they wanted) make my medical insurance higher because they face health problems from their weight. One bad apple spoils the bunch.