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Illegal Waistlines in Japan

nytimes.com — Over 56 million citizens are measured to see if their waistlines fall within legal limits

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skaspud 158 days ago

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11 Comments
Who Dugg It?

Waldeneast, on 06/13/2008, -1/+4This is crazy! I know obesity is a serious problem, but so are eating disorders. And the loss of even one life-- that fellow who jogged until he gave himself a heart attack- is insane. I will be interested in following this story, if any human rights organizations take it up.
JAVandiver, on 06/13/2008, -1/+2I think that the state prescribed waistline of 33.5" inches is really aggressive and I applaud them for this, but what of the sumo? I guess they have an exemption... I would like to see something similar in the U.S. People really do need to understand that being fat should not be considered acceptable. Granted having everyone down to a svelte 34" waist seems unrealistic, but we really need to do something as that more than 60% of the U.S. population is overweight. I personally think that anyone who's waist is more than 1.25~1.333X their inseam needs to be thrown into a wood chipper.
boris4ka, on 06/13/2008, -0/+6This is ***** retarded. Sure it's bad being overweight, but making it illegal just goes against human rights. Oh wait, it's Asia..
- Waldeneast, on 06/13/2008, -0/+3The one thing that should be sacred is your own body. The government should not be able to legislate your body. I can understand that the government has to shoulder the financial burden of health care for the obese, but this just seems so wrong to me, on a moral and a legal level.
  - JAVandiver, on 06/13/2008, -2/+1I agree that everyone should have the freedom to live a lifestyle of their choosing, as long as that lifestyle does not have a detrimental effect on others. I think that the obese should forfeit health care for obesity related issues and and smokers should forfeit health care for smoking related issues; at least on health care provided by any public institution. I do not see why society should be held accountable for those who do not choose to take care of themselves. They made their bed, now they should have to sleep in it.
  - Khanvalescent, on 06/14/2008, -2/+1Too bad fat ***** raise everybody's health insurance rates because of their increased medical costs.
    - theaceoffire, on 06/14/2008, -0/+1Fat people have higher risks of some ailments, lower in others. Larger body mass gives your system a lot of stability, allowing them to survive things that would kill you or me.
Hererinc, on 06/13/2008, -0/+1great idea... im getting my first wife from Japan...
Motojax, on 06/14/2008, -0/+1This ***** is so ridiculous. Yes obesity is a problem but forcing people to lose weight by penalty of fine is absurd.
SpankyBojangles, on 06/14/2008, -3/+0I think Americans in general take the ill effects of being overweight for granted...like they're just a part of life. We're so used to seeing overweight people that we don't stop and think about the real effect of that on society. In fact, we don't even think of overweight people as overweight...just "normal sized". It's a real public health issue.

Take Tim Russert for example -- a heart issue brought about by being overweight. He looked like a typical 50-ish guy.
AThoughtOrTwo, on 06/14/2008, -0/+1Talk about government control over our lives!! WTF!!!???
There is a fine and then *RE EDUCATION*???
And all of you *self absorbed* body builder types can BITE ME! I don't give a fig what book you read, what agency you get your information from there is ONE RULE that should dominate:

N O O N E I S R E A L L Y E Q U A L, not in the weight or body frame. We are ALL DIFFERENT. And we can't be MADE TO FIT YOUR REQUIREMENTS. NO HOW, NO WAY!!
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Illegal Waistlines in Japan

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