What is Digg?178 Comments
- dougvfr750, on 06/27/2008, -0/+79Can you imagine the outcry something like this would cause in the US?
- ragingpwner35, on 06/27/2008, -1/+51Their Sumo team is going to suck!
- ghunt, on 06/27/2008, -9/+47This would never work here, all the fatties would cry.
- asskicker32, on 06/27/2008, -2/+32you talk like youre a native.
- 9bpm9, on 06/27/2008, -1/+26Much larger populace? They act like Japan is an island of only 20 million, there's over 150 million people on that tiny island for gods sakes!
- wetdirtmud, on 06/27/2008, -1/+22Feelings would be hurt... lives would be lost..
- drake77, on 06/27/2008, -6/+24Problem: Healthcare costs are skyrocketing for everyone due in large part because of the recent obesity epidemic. These costs will only continue to go up, resulting in fewer being able to afford healthcare, unless the general populace loses weight or major medical breakthroughs occur (e.g. a stem cell treatment that "cures" diabetes).
Solution: I don't believe we can wait for breakthroughs and feel that strong action is needed sooner as opposed to later.
In the U.S. we believe in personal freedom and abhor the outright banning of anything. Items are only banned when they deemed to seriously affect our society, and less often for political reasons. Because of this, the only way to regulate things in our society/culture is economically. We are a market-based society.
The only two effective, economically-based systems to regulate obesity, therefore, that I can think of are...
1) The exponential increase in an individual's health premiums based on their level of obesity (i.e. for every X number of pounds that a person is overweight, their health premium raises Y dollars per time period).
2) A taxation of foods that exacerbate obesity and are medically proven to damage health (e.g. corn-syrup laden sodas, so called empty-calorie foods, junk food, etc.) Such foods would be determine by a neutral board of medical scientists, based on current medical knowledge.
These are my thoughts on a topic that I feel is one of the most important of our time.
I would love to hear your ideas/comments/suggestions. - andydumi, on 06/27/2008, -9/+26This is a good idea. Preventative medicine is far far cheaper than treating diseases associated with obesity.
- Modizzle, on 06/27/2008, -2/+18Good time to invest in cigarette companies doing business in Japan.
- gluesniffined, on 06/27/2008, -1/+15I have a problem with BMI used as a calculation for whether or not you're 'obese'. I'm 6'5" and have a large frame, according to the calculators I would be in the middle of the healthy range at 180 pounds.....there's no way this could be right. When I weighed 207 I looked like an emaciated stick figure even with a 34" waist..
- starpower2000, on 06/27/2008, -4/+18oh, yup, that is Japan for you. It is all part of their culture. If it happens here in the US, OMG, I just can't imagine.
- MrFurious2k, on 06/27/2008, -2/+16It's amazing the incursions on personal freedoms that people can justify when they cite how much XXXXX costs. How about we stop offering entitlements for everyone and let everyone pay their own way. If you happen to overeat and be unhealthy, then you pay for your own medical bills and stop whining about the government covering you.
Mark my words, if and when they get socialized medicine passed, the costs associated with treating people will be utilized in practically every imaginable way to take away individual freedom of choice. Meanwhile, what you're paying today for health care costs will seem like chicken feed.
Just as a side note:
Claude Castonguay fathered the single-payer system in Quebec that locked out private insurance. He's apparently recognized what a horrible idea that was and has since recognized that "...socializing medicine creates a shortage-management system. It limits the resources available, which drives down the level and the quality of service. Without free-market competition and under a burdensome regulatory scheme, there are no incentives for investment, and not even 'massive' amounts of government spending can solve those core problems." - drimo, on 06/27/2008, -10/+23It's a bit ridiculous. They're going about it completely the wrong way. A gentler approach would be to encourage lower costs for companies and use positive reinforcement rather than getting employees to single out overweight people and ridicule them.
Has Japan receded into the 5th grade where it was "popular" to make fun of us fat people? - Wesside, on 06/27/2008, -2/+15being over weight and in shape, and being obese are two completely different things.
- crimson117, on 06/27/2008, -7/+19Goodbye, all-you-can-eat sushi.
Hello, anorexia. - DreKor, on 06/27/2008, -2/+14Unless it's super obese people. Then they're disabled and we can't do a damn thing.
- LupeFiasco, on 06/27/2008, -2/+13I remember there were plans for something like this to be implemented in Canada. You would get tax breaks up to 1500 dollars if you were able to stay in shape. What "in shape" meant wasn't mentioned. I think it would be a good idea, but instead of having it based on weight, it should be the persons ability to do a certain number of exercises. Run X amount of laps and do X amount pushups in a certain time frame, something like that.
- VitriolAndAngst, on 06/27/2008, -3/+13I could understand some "push" towards health -- but this is dumb. Not only from a standpoint of PERSONAL liberty, but from the standpoint of who gets to decide the standard?
A 40 in waistline on one person is fat, and for another appropriate. I'm sure, for normal humans, you could say that an 90" waist is always bad.
I'd much rather set ordinances on Mono-saturated fats, corn oil, and certain things we KNOW for a fact are bad. The problem is, that with very few things, (like mercury, lead, and such) can we know absolutely they are bad for you.
I think a MUCH better way to achieve results, is to use the television networks to propagandize folks to want to be more physically fit. We already do it to get people to vote the wrong way, worry about clothing, and sell products -- let's go back to all the public service announcements about the conservation, being a responsible citizen, and self-improvement that we did in the 70's. - ScottMitchell, on 06/27/2008, -0/+10Not just them, but the fast food industry, the snack food industry, etc., etc.
- humperdeath, on 06/27/2008, -1/+11Once you go jap, you dont go back!
- DreKor, on 06/27/2008, -1/+11In the US there is a fundamentally different mindset than in Japan. Japan focuses on a personal responsibility to the collective while the US focuses on a personal responsibility to the individual.
This is why, in Japan, you can have a national program where people are given an ultimatum that they must slim down to decrease health care costs for the society as a whole. If you do not follow these guidelines, you will be pushed by the government to comply. But, more powerfully, you will be conspicuous in public as an individual who is not working toward the common good.
However, in the US, you have Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and other programs. These are all voluntary and based on the individual. People join these groups for personal betterment. They enroll to become healthier, more attractive, more productive, etc. While most of these programs have a group aspect to them, participants are encouraged by the by the group, but there are no group requirements. All of the weight loss targets are created on an "individualized" basis.
I'd keep going, but I think I need to get back to work. - cokobware, on 06/27/2008, -1/+10What about sumo wrestlers? Are they going to have to shrink the buldge too?
- bluezombie, on 06/27/2008, -2/+10So the lil 4' guy and the 7' athlete have to get to the same waistline? How is that considered "healthy"? Idiots. Even Japan has a more diverse population than would be practical for this. Wait a year and map the suicide stats in.
- republicker, on 06/27/2008, -0/+8The U.S. government makes ***** of money off fat people, why would they want everyone healthy?
- cryptomystic, on 06/27/2008, -0/+8126 million to be exact.
- ScottMitchell, on 06/27/2008, -0/+8Michael Jordan, during his NBA career, had an unhealthy BMI rating.
Can you dunk a basketball? - HeatherH88, on 06/27/2008, -2/+9Considering their culture and the way their society works, this is not a completely crazy way of going about it IN JAPAN...
In the US, however, this would never work. Someone said in an earlier reply (to a different comment) that in the US, we work for personal welfare and pride. In Japan, it is geared toward moving the society and the community forward. If they can all be fit, they can lower health costs for everyone. Its just a completely different mindset. - jecruzs, on 06/27/2008, -1/+8But obesity is so much more profitable for the pharmaceutical companies.
- jfujita, on 06/27/2008, -0/+7The guys at Nintendo are geniuses for cashing in on this with Wii Fit.
- DrPh0bius, on 06/27/2008, -0/+7...and some states (Michigan for example) have specific anti-discrimination legislation that mentions the overweight.
- asw0210, on 06/27/2008, -5/+11Are you kidding me? This is America, we will do and eat what we want when we want.
- HeatherH88, on 06/27/2008, -3/+9In the USA:
I don't think it would be right to take away certain types of foods due to content or taxing the consumer more heavily for them. They will pay that increase in healthcare -- but I don't think that by weight would be the best way to go. Perhaps body fat %age. You could be athletic and classified as obese because muscle is heavier than fat.
But slowly, we are becoming (I like to think..) a slightly more health focused society. Restaurants like Olive Garden, Applebees, and TGI Friday's - among many others - now offer nutrition facts in the restaurant for their items and healthier options.
People will not change their lifestyle unless they truly want that for themselves. You can't force someone to lose weight and become healthy - they must be motivated to. Those foods can be had, the trick is simply moderation. They put a portion size on the box for a reason.
There are medical reasons that some are obese, and I don't think anyone would look down on them for that. Those who choose to be at risk, however, are doing themselves and their bodies a disservice. I know, I've been there. Half a year of healthy calorie counting has taught me how difficult it is to come out of that situation - but again, that is a choice that each person must make for his or her own health. - LupeFiasco, on 06/27/2008, -2/+8All because you're not suffering any adverese side effects from being overweight now doesn't mean it is ok. People are really short sighted, if we are not dying NOW or sick right NOW then we are fine.
Just like how smoking doesn't get you right away, being overweight will catch up to most people eventually.
And I stress MOST.
And please, no more of these "I am X pounds overweight and am just fine remarks. There as dumb as when smokers yammer on about how they know people who have been smoking for 50 years and are just fine.
SO WHAT!
Are you that naive to think these small number of people are the rule and not the exception? - EvansHall, on 06/27/2008, -1/+7http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88REf0tjZHo
Watch it til the end. It's hilarious.
If you're confused about why RP supporters are so passionate about him, watch this one minute clip and you may start to understand. - arcticblue, on 06/27/2008, -1/+7I live in work in Japan and I have not heard of this. My company (yes, a Japanese company. I'm not SOFA.) has not even mentioned checking everyone's waist and I haven't seen anything on TV about this (then again, I don't watch alot of TV). I saw this article on Slashdot a couple days ago and I've yet to figure out where it originated from. I can't help but think that there may have been a mistranslation somewhere.
- inactive, on 06/27/2008, -0/+6Or Australia.. I guess since we're fatter than you now.. :/
- inactive, on 06/27/2008, -0/+6For you(Americans) it is ok because you pay for your health care yourself via your free market economy. But if health care companies decide you're too bad to insure or they want you pay ridiculous premiums then that is your problem.
This is all form an economic viewpoint. - KingGorilla, on 06/27/2008, -1/+7It's my hot body I do what I want!
- zero01101, on 06/27/2008, -1/+6i loves me some freedom as much as the next guy, but there's already a precedent for taxation on consumables that have been determined to be a public health nuisance; please see cigarettes, alcohol. not saying junk food would actually be classified as a "nuisance," just that taxing it is conceivable.
- BlueYoshi, on 06/27/2008, -13/+18Lol fatass America would collaspe in on itself like a dying star, utterly destroying the United States of Israel.
- Snuff99, on 06/27/2008, -0/+5The land of Free would be awash with lawsuits...
- preban, on 06/27/2008, -1/+6Yup people LOVE to take drastic measures don't they? They're so much easier than rational ones.
Once I actually lost weight and kept it down I saw what a scam the whole "health" business is. I made up my mind to eat fresh and nutritious foods, get regular exercise ( 1 hour a day), and live a cleaner life ( I still smoke and drink but not as much, sue me). This cost me $0 to do. I feel and look better and have lots of energy. My mother on the other hand, has fallen for every scam diet in the past 25 years and hasn't lost a pound. Spent somewhere in the area of $3000 to lose weight. People don't want simple answers because then they have to take responsibilty. And brother, in today's America that is the LAST thing anybody wants. - mnemy, on 06/27/2008, -3/+8Man I hate Japanese culture sometimes. I've been to tokyo, and let me tell you, there is NOT an obesity problem. Sure, there's a rare occurrence of obvious bad genetics, but for the most part, it's genetics, not diet. Not only that, but it doesn't take into account different body types. I'm 6'2" and I barely meet the male requirement, and I'm skinny as hell!
And it certainly doesn't encourage healthy lifestyle. Japanese women already have a pretty unhealthy diet, because they eat so little and don't tend to get the variety of nutrients their bodies ideally need. This is just going to encourage further anorexia.
Unfortunately, this waist limit actually discourages the healthiest option: exercise. If you build strong stomach muscles, your waist will grow. Add on the slightest bit of padding over those abs, and you've breached the limit. - TruthTeller50, on 06/27/2008, -0/+56' 5" & 207? That's unhealthy. Come to my pancake breakfast this Saturday.
- Fozefy, on 06/27/2008, -1/+6Doesn't seem very fair to me, they don't take into consideration any other factors which is just ridicules. Are they really going to sit there and call me unhealthy if I'm 6'2 and have a proportional frame? Though I guess, the limit would be higher if it were implemented anywhere else, since Japanese people are kind of on the small side.
Though I must say, I find it interesting that the diabetes association has a lower limit for females than males and the Japanese government has opposite numbers. - tian2992, on 06/27/2008, -1/+6Bravo, I actually think that the only country in which pure Socialism would work is in Japan, by looking through their history is obvious that, as you say, they are focused on the society's advancement. Still, Communism is too utopic to work anywhere…
- colasrtney, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4Godzilla's not gonna put up with this *****.
- inactive, on 06/27/2008, -1/+5Weight is an horrible judge of fitness. Waistline measurements, pinch fold tests are much better IMO.
How bout this tax... fat people get 70% less sex then their non obese counterparts? ;) - lwoodnj, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4The real question is what gives you the right to the moral outrage you're displaying over this? Since when is it necessary for you to protect the obese and the smokers? See, people like you--and there are many--concern me because you honestly think that it's OK for you to tell people what to do for their own good. Fat people can be fat and smokers can smoke and you need to stop thinking that you've got the world all figured out and have a right to tell people what's "moral and immoral".
Seriously. That kind of thinking is dangerous. Let people live their own lives: That's the beauty of this country which people who think like that try to destroy every, single day. Just accept that people get to live their lives the way they want so you can live yours the way you want. That's the whole idea of America. - inactive, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4No, entrepreneurs in America make ***** of money off of fat people. Its called exercise programs, diets plans, gyms, and "healthy foods". Bada ba baba I'm lovin it.
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