Fat Police

fish_on · 07-01-2003, 05:30 PM

I am watching a story on the news about KRAFT changing it's name and image to show a more "health friendly" image. They are getting ready for the day when the tobacco lawyers start to go after the food producers on behalf of the fat folks. I for one am not ready for the government to start telling me how or what to eat. If you can't control your eating and get fat, diet. If you don't diet and die early why is that the fault of the food producer for providing food. If this is taken to the extreme someday you could see cheese at $50/lb so they can fight the litigation, and most producers giving in a supplying us with a blan nutrient pack that is only intended to sustain life. Where will it stop?

Fight the red diaper doper baby lawyers

Tilla · 07-02-2003, 09:04 AM

Smokers and ex-smokers already know what's it like. Fat and sugar is really not that different from nicotine. If you don't think it is puposely infused into many of our favorite foods, think again.
It's funny that as an ex smoker I think turnabout is fair play, let's take away some personal choice from the non smokers so they can see how it feels.
It seems that legislators feuled by self righteous bored people who want you to be like them want to control your personal decisions.

The Fishing Geek · 07-02-2003, 09:06 AM

Haven't seen many studies on second-hand fat.

That said, it's time that people are forced to take responsibility for their own gluttony.

edsr · 07-02-2003, 09:27 AM

Gluttony - one of the seven deadly sins, ah, Krispy Kremes!

ORrinker · 07-02-2003, 09:41 AM

This is a very ingenious ploy by Kraft to act like they are doing something to benefit the health of consumers but in fact they are just cutting back portion sizes. Does anyone think that if they cut their portion by a third that the price will drop a third? I read the article yesterday and looked for something that said they would adjust the price accordingly but could not find it. As far as who is responsible for people being fat their is noone to blame but ourselves.
Comparing tobacco to food is ridiculous as nobody can go cold turkey on food can they? Tobacco is a choice that only has as much value as an individual places on it. Tobacco companies are now reaping their just rewards from years of subvertly altering the chemistry of their cigarettes to more easily ensnare people into addiction. Before anyone flames me I want to point out that I am not speaking against smokers as it is a personal choice but against those that used deceit to reap larger profits.
Should McDonalds be sued? No, as we have the need to eat whether they ever existed or not. Obesity is an individuals problem and as we all gain weight at different rates we need to make good choices to counter the weight gain.
The only situation where I think another person is responsible for weight is when the overweight person is a child. I know of a 6 year old girl that weighs as much as my 13 year old son:-( If a parent cannot seem to control their weight problems on their own they should be consulting a doctor. It is really sad to see this little girl as she has no idea how to help herself and her parents act like they don't notice. I hope not to offend anyone but I just wanted to state my opinion.

Oh and we should all thank Krafty foods for taking such thoughtful stand on the amount of foods we eat;-) Yeah, right

Randy

[ 07-02-2003, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: ORrinker ]

Cool Texan · 07-02-2003, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Fishing Geek:
Haven't seen many studies on second-hand fat.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I did once in college....but I was drunk at the time. :shocked: :grin:

True · 07-02-2003, 02:42 PM

Let's not forget about coffee. I've "quit" several times and got nothing for it but headaches, a grumpy disposition and cold chills. Anyone want to take my case? Just kidding (or am I?)!

True

Tanner · 07-02-2003, 03:02 PM

Quote:

The only situation where I think another person is responsible for weight is when the overweight person is a child. I know of a 6 year old girl that weighs as much as my 13 year old son:-( If a parent cannot seem to control their weight problems on their own they should be consulting a doctor. It is really sad to see this little girl as she has no idea how to help herself and her parents act like they don't notice. I hope not to offend anyone but I just wanted to state my opinion.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Dude,
It is stupid statements like this that create stereotypes. Have you ever heard of genetics.
Those of you that have never had a weight problem have absolutely no clue what it is like. Not all heavy people are gluttons. In fact, most that I know aren't.

Flatfish · 07-02-2003, 03:07 PM

I thought they made the changes to better their self image. The kids' food is junk food, is now less junk food.

Don't the parents of the kids buy this stuff? Maybe I am missing something.

Mark and the used to be heavy til Mom and Dad quit feeding me table scraps all the time dog.

ORrinker · 07-02-2003, 03:53 PM

Tanner, I do indeed have a weight problem and I have lost 40 pounds in the last 2 months. This has nothing to do with stereotypes but more to do with a child's health. I know that genetics play a big part but what I am saying is when these children are severely obese a parent needs to get them to a medical doctor to determine the reason and what can be done about it. I am not blaming anyone for genetics but the little girl in question weighs 130#'s at age 6 so my guess is that there likely is a medical explanation and possible solution that only a doctor can provide. Stereotyping and kids cruelty are two very good reasons to take the situation in hand in addition to the health aspects. I happen to know for a fact that these parents have not even tried to limit her food intake at all. It is like it is too much of a problem for them. Please forgive me if I was not clear earlier.

Randy

HammondSeaRanger · 07-02-2003, 11:03 PM

dang it !!!

I saw FAT POLICE and was hoping this was a donut thread ... Quit teasing me !!!!!!!!

Birdnest · 07-04-2003, 01:36 PM

Tanner,

That's it, there has been an enormous shift in the genetic make up in one generation. Could have nothing to do with sitting around, eating high fat foods, glued to their play station.

I agree, if your kid is obese, and there is not a medical reason behind it...child abuse. You are putting your kid at much higher risk for diabetes, cardiovascular dx, and others.

Joe

jawbreaker · 07-04-2003, 03:49 PM

Its all Homer Simpsons fault.
"Oooh doughnuts" :shocked:

happybrew · 07-04-2003, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Fishing Geek:
Haven't seen many studies on second-hand fat.

That said, it's time that people are forced to take responsibility for their own gluttony.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Go to the beach. You'll be exposed to plenty of second hand fat!

happybrew

Fish_N_Russ · 07-04-2003, 06:30 PM

If people took responsibility for their own actions.....whether it be over-eating, smoking, or other problems, the world would of course be a much better place. The fact is, people are lazy on the whole and do not want to do this. Most of this is because we live in a society where many things are available to us that werent even 50 years ago or so.

I myself have a weight problem that I have battled all my life, partly genetics, partly my own problem which I admit.

I am not one to have the government tell me or legislate me to do something, but I wonder what would happen if govt' health spending was cut for problems that can be 'fixed'. I mean people that smoke know its bad for them, but they continue..........and thus those on govt' assisted health insurance get $$$ prescriptions and treatments paid for by us. If they were told, 'well you have X amount of time to stop and better your health or else you wont get any insurance coverage for that'.......I wonder what would happen. The same could be true for some cases of overweight people as well.

I have long thought the best investment the government could make (whether it be state or fed) is 'recreation or fitness' type centers in cities...........much like a YMCA or something. Folks go for a nominal fee, or get waivers if they are lower income.....get in better health, get tax cuts, etc etc since the gov't is going to save money in the long run. OR another idea would be to just have a program where people could join existing fitness clubs/programs and when a certain level of fitness was achieved you get certain benefits/cuts.
Cut back some of the foreign aid to countries that do nothing for us and this program could be paid for no problem.

BonkBonkBonk · 07-05-2003, 08:35 AM

genetics my butt
the reason fat people have fat kids is they teach them their LIFESTYLE

Hoosier Daddy · 07-08-2003, 01:51 PM

I'm all for people being responsible for what they eat. However, we are at some risk if our choices of foods to eat are limited or controlled by corporations. Kind of like the whole genetically modified food thing. An example: we had a brand of frozen fish sticks we used to eat once a month or so. It was the one brand we could stand to eat because all the rest were too darned greasy (READ "fat laden") to stomach. Lo and behold, a few months ago, the product was replaced by a "new improved" version. The improvement? Yep, more greasy, errr, I mean "New, Richer Flavor". On one hand, we are responsible for picking what we want, and you can argue that companies cater to what people want, but if your choices are limited to fat laden A, fat laden B, or fat laden C, what then?

I have a similar conspiracy theory on supersizing at fast food places that essentially goes like this. Company makes the supersize meal cheaper to encourage you to eat more than you might want, you get fatter, fat people eat more, eventually, you end up eating (and paying for) more of their food. Just a theory. People are still responsible for what they eat, but corporations are evil......evil I say.....