Cost of Obesity (2 Viewers)

skybluegod

Well-Known Member
There was a piece in the Gaurdian today about the cost of obesity hitting $1.2 trillion world wide by 2025.
In Britain it is 19 billion at the moment and it will rise to 31 billion.
The chief executive of the NHS, has warned that obesity threatens to bankrupt the NHS. Just really pisses me off, clearly the cuts on the NHS are bad and it needs more funding, but then you see things like this and it really pisses me off.
People complain about the NHS’s lack of funding, and the long waits for appointments, well if more people looked after themselves, and just regulated what they ate, then think about how much of a burden would be lifted on the overstretched heath service.
Yes people should have free will go eat and do what they like, but where does it stop? Considering the most expensive things in terms of healthcare budget are obesity and smoking related, think it’s too easy to blame government budget cuts rather than take on the blame as a society.
 

Captain Dart

Well-Known Member
I was in the University Hospital the other day and some of the nurses, though lovely people were not setting a good example.
 

Nick

Administrator
It's an obscene amount of money.

Schools seem to be a lot more savvy than they were when I was a kid for starters so you would hope that as time goes on those educated more to not be that way will see a bit of a cut. The only way is to have sugar taxes etc.

The other annoying thing is the lack of ways to get Fast, healthy food at decent prices. Yes I can go shopping and buy healthy food and cook healthily which I usually do, but if we want a takeaway for example then none of it is really healthy.

Still, there is a bloke by me who pisses me off because he is that fat he has to use crutches but can still manage to hold a ciggy and a can. Fat kids is another one.

I'd quite happily start putting an excess on treatment for things easily preventable if they lost some weight.
 

skybluegod

Well-Known Member
I was in the University Hospital the other day and some of the nurses, though lovely people were not setting a good example.

Oh absolutely, no doubt, it goes all the way to the top. I was watching a police programme the other day and a police officer could barely run 200 metres before being out of breath.
 

skybluegod

Well-Known Member
It's an obscene amount of money.

Schools seem to be a lot more savvy than they were when I was a kid for starters so you would hope that as time goes on those educated more to not be that way will see a bit of a cut. The only way is to have sugar taxes etc.

The other annoying thing is the lack of ways to get Fast, healthy food at decent prices. Yes I can go shopping and buy healthy food and cook healthily which I usually do, but if we want a takeaway for example then none of it is really healthy.

Still, there is a bloke by me who pisses me off because he is that fat he has to use crutches but can still manage to hold a ciggy and a can. Fat kids is another one.

I'd quite happily start putting an excess on treatment for things easily preventable if they lost some weight.

I agree, my Mother who is a primary school head teacher, recently had to enforce a chocolate ban, which is a good step. However as you say it is all to do with people getting fast food, or most snacky food, the fat food is a lot cheaper.

Yeah exactly hate people like that. Can afford cigs and alcohol, would be better spent on a gym membership!!

My old man is a big man, but he literally avoids the NHS at all costs.
 

Nick

Administrator
I agree, my Mother who is a primary school head teacher, recently had to enforce a chocolate ban, which is a good step. However as you say it is all to do with people getting fast food, or most snacky food, the fat food is a lot cheaper.

Yeah exactly hate people like that. Can afford cigs and alcohol, would be better spent on a gym membership!!

My old man is a big man, but he literally avoids the NHS at all costs.

I don't mind schools doing a chocolate ban, my daughter is only allowed to take healthy stuff and the canteen will only sell her certain stuff (no fizzy drinks, no chocolate etc) until she gets to about 12 when she can have anything. Saying that, they have been learning about different foods and what is healthy and what isn't, which I can never remember doing at that age. She also has to do PE of some sort for at least an hour a day and there's been a massive difference.

When kids are so young, it doesn't matter what they want to eat as they rely on the parents. If they are having chips, processed microwave meals every night then the kids usually get the same. My other pet hate is when you see young kids constantly hammering fizzy drinks, glass after glass.

Obviously if people are big because of a medical condition it's different, if not then a 20 - 30 minute walk and cutting out some of the rubbish eaten would make a hell of a difference. There is also the mental effects of exercise too.

Hand out some branded, chinese made fitbits and say "if you want treatment, we need to see consistent exercise and improvements". Standard fitness plans.
 
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skybluejelly

Well-Known Member
I agree, my Mother who is a primary school head teacher, recently had to enforce a chocolate ban, which is a good step. However as you say it is all to do with people getting fast food, or most snacky food, the fat food is a lot cheaper.

Yeah exactly hate people like that. Can afford cigs and alcohol, would be better spent on a gym membership!!

My old man is a big man, but he literally avoids the NHS at all costs.
that's because your old man has private health care ..even if he does not use it
 

skybluegod

Well-Known Member
I don't mind schools doing a chocolate ban, my daughter is only allowed to take healthy stuff and the canteen will only sell her certain stuff (no fizzy drinks, no chocolate etc) until she gets to about 12 when she can have anything. Saying that, they have been learning about different foods and what is healthy and what isn't, which I can never remember doing at that age. She also has to do PE of some sort for at least an hour a day and there's been a massive difference.

When kids are so young, it doesn't matter what they want to eat as they rely on the parents. If they are having chips, processed microwave meals every night then the kids usually get the same. My other pet hate is when you see young kids constantly hammering fizzy drinks, glass after glass.

Obviously if people are big because of a medical condition it's different, if not then a 20 - 30 minute walk and cutting out some of the rubbish eaten would make a hell of a difference. There is also the mental effects of exercise too.

Yeah that does sound a lot different to even when I was at school a decade ago. And it does sound promising.
An hour a day! Wow that’s definelty a lot more. I think we did 2 sessions a week.

Yeah exactly. When I was working at the pub the amount of parents that came in regaurly after school with their kids at least 3 times a week, to eat was surprising.

I almost never have take aways or eat out, it’s too expensive and no benefits.

Yep best decision my parents made when me and my brother finished school was getting a dog, meaning they have 3 good walks a day.

And exactly the mental health aspect as well, which is becoming another increasing strain on the NHS, although I think that’s a whole other thing to discuss
 

skybluejelly

Well-Known Member
Yeah that does sound a lot different to even when I was at school a decade ago. And it does sound promising.
An hour a day! Wow that’s definelty a lot more. I think we did 2 sessions a week.

Yeah exactly. When I was working at the pub the amount of parents that came in regaurly after school with their kids at least 3 times a week, to eat was surprising.

I almost never have take aways or eat out, it’s too expensive and no benefits.

Yep best decision my parents made when me and my brother finished school was getting a dog, meaning they have 3 good walks a day.

And exactly the mental health aspect as well, which is becoming another increasing strain on the NHS, although I think that’s a whole other thing to discuss
some of them have 3 walks a day ..others have 1 walk a week on a sunday night
 

Nick

Administrator
I only mentioned the mental health side of it because if somebody is "obese" then if they went out for a walk for 30 minutes or started using stairs instead of a lift when they go to town etc it will obviously help with the fitness side but there are the other benefits.

Can't see the issue if they started saying "Sorry, you are going to have to pay for this treatment or appointment" unless they can lose a bit of weight. (Obviously if it isn't a health issue causing their weight). Also if it is weight related, they should always have to pay for their prescriptions.
 

skybluegod

Well-Known Member
I only mentioned the mental health side of it because if somebody is "obese" then if they went out for a walk for 30 minutes or started using stairs instead of a lift when they go to town etc it will obviously help with the fitness side but there are the other benefits.

Can't see the issue if they started saying "Sorry, you are going to have to pay for this treatment or appointment" unless they can lose a bit of weight. (Obviously if it isn't a health issue causing their weight). Also if it is weight related, they should always have to pay for their prescriptions.

I thought that but then, the worst obesity epidemic is in America, and they have to pay for their healthcare, so I’m not sure if it works?
 

Nick

Administrator
I thought that but then, the worst obesity epidemic is in America, and they have to pay for their healthcare, so I’m not sure if it works?

It can't do any harm to have an excess of some sort if it is easily preventable by losing a bit of weight.

Really, people need a kick up the arse.
 

rob9872

Well-Known Member
I can’t believe some of the self-righteousness on this thread. I‘m in the overweight category although thankfully to date not been a burden in any way on the NHS … but where does it end? Smoking? Drinking (and I just mean the alcoholics but social drinkers too)? Driving a car or motorbike? Playing dangerous sports? Should we pay just for the services we use? For the many who shout loudly about socialism all over these boards and a fairer society, as usual they only mean the part that benefit them. Imagine the outcry if people who live in less desirable areas (because that’s where they can afford to live) had to pay a higher proportion of policing costs because crime is higher in their area or people without children not wanting to contribute towards education.


Yes the US pay for healthcare. So do we – where do you think the magic pot of money comes from to fund the NHS?
 

Covrock

Well-Known Member
Where do you draw the line? You can, on the NHS, get your tits done, transform yourself from a man to a woman and any other thing that the do gooders will let you have. I went to have a cataract sorted, the guy said oh I have to go and see if you fall in to the category to have it done. Fuck me, not even 50 and can hardly see. Drive a 40 foot truck for a living.
Kids are fat because their parents are to lazy to cook properly and get the kids away from the Tele and computer. The NHS said the crisis was smoking now it's the fatties. Start culling all the clipboard warriors you see walking around the hospitals also reduce the amount of agency staff they employ. Why does one consultant need 3 or 4 secretary's? On their days off ,Why are nurses allowed to come in to work on their own ward, working for an agency on a lot more money?
Yes I agree obesity is and will be a problem. It will put a strain on the NHS, but the money they receive just seems to disappear. Sort from within.
 

Marty

Well-Known Member
As a former fatty, I feel like I have something to add, I was a slim upto about 19, things happened which I won't go into, and I use to comfort eat, I struggled mentally, and still do sometimes. I genuinely wouldn't care less about the damage I was doing to myself or my friendships. Demonising people doesn't work, better mental health facilities are 100% needed.

I couldn't tell you why I decided to lose the weight, I just woke up one day and thought I needed change.
 

Captain Dart

Well-Known Member
Where do you draw the line? You can, on the NHS, get your tits done, transform yourself from a man to a woman and any other thing that the do gooders will let you have. I went to have a cataract sorted, the guy said oh I have to go and see if you fall in to the category to have it done. Fuck me, not even 50 and can hardly see. Drive a 40 foot truck for a living.
Kids are fat because their parents are to lazy to cook properly and get the kids away from the Tele and computer. The NHS said the crisis was smoking now it's the fatties. Start culling all the clipboard warriors you see walking around the hospitals also reduce the amount of agency staff they employ. Why does one consultant need 3 or 4 secretary's? On their days off ,Why are nurses allowed to come in to work on their own ward, working for an agency on a lot more money?
Yes I agree obesity is and will be a problem. It will put a strain on the NHS, but the money they receive just seems to disappear. Sort from within.

In my opinion too some of the priorities are wrong.
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
I only mentioned the mental health side of it because if somebody is "obese" then if they went out for a walk for 30 minutes or started using stairs instead of a lift when they go to town etc it will obviously help with the fitness side but there are the other benefits.

Can't see the issue if they started saying "Sorry, you are going to have to pay for this treatment or appointment" unless they can lose a bit of weight. (Obviously if it isn't a health issue causing their weight). Also if it is weight related, they should always have to pay for their prescriptions.

Any indication on what sort of treatment or appointment you're referring to?
 

Nick

Administrator
Any indication on what sort of treatment or appointment you're referring to?
Obviously only if it was a direct result of weight and exercise / diet would help.

In reference to the earlier post I don't agree with boob jobs either unless post cancer or injury / accident etc.
 

skybluegod

Well-Known Member
I can’t believe some of the self-righteousness on this thread. I‘m in the overweight category although thankfully to date not been a burden in any way on the NHS … but where does it end? Smoking? Drinking (and I just mean the alcoholics but social drinkers too)? Driving a car or motorbike? Playing dangerous sports? Should we pay just for the services we use? For the many who shout loudly about socialism all over these boards and a fairer society, as usual they only mean the part that benefit them. Imagine the outcry if people who live in less desirable areas (because that’s where they can afford to live) had to pay a higher proportion of policing costs because crime is higher in their area or people without children not wanting to contribute towards education.


Yes the US pay for healthcare. So do we – where do you think the magic pot of money comes from to fund the NHS?

Self-righteousness? Really?
This is the problem, people don’t see being overweight as a problem until it effects their health. Not all fat people are a burden on the NHS, but undoubtedly a lot are.
Yes smoking too, I’m sure somebody will pipe up and say the tax it gains outweighs the cost (I don’t know if that is true), but that’s not the point.
Drinking as well, 52% of police call outs are drink related, so whether it’s an alcoholic or just a pissed idiot who had one too many, it doesn’t stop the fact that it’s pulling out public services away from more important things because people can’t look after their own bodies.
 

skybluegod

Well-Known Member
As a former fatty, I feel like I have something to add, I was a slim upto about 19, things happened which I won't go into, and I use to comfort eat, I struggled mentally, and still do sometimes. I genuinely wouldn't care less about the damage I was doing to myself or my friendships. Demonising people doesn't work, better mental health facilities are 100% needed.

I couldn't tell you why I decided to lose the weight, I just woke up one day and thought I needed change.

No doubt better mental health care is needed, but think younger generations are getting weaker, and I include myself in that, have had anxiety, but imo I think more and more people are getting themselves into mental health problems.

I’m not saying this is you ofc and I do have empathy for what you went through.

But I do think younger generations are a lot weaker mentally than ever before and that needs to change.
 

Ccfcsj

Well-Known Member
Obesity is a strange thing. I am classed as Obese although I'm not fat and not unhealthy just big made (OK, I'm diabetic but have been told that's more hereditary than anything else) . I exercise and hardly eat so there's not much more I can do on that score - then again I don't visit the hospital etc regularly so don't use up the resources except for my regular blood tests and medication. The issue with these sort of reports is they bundle people into groups and everyone in that group is looked down upon. Also, there are people who, for no fault of their own, can't exercise to lose weight because that have health problems that contribute to this.

As for mental issues - yes some people are mentally weaker than others but as a society we don't help. If the human race as a whole took a different approach and instead looking down on everybody who is different to them and helped people maybe things would change - but then there are a lot of selfish people in the world.

The NHS should be for anything that is wrong physically and possibly mentally (counselling etc) but anything to "improve" self image through surgery etc should be paid for by the individual not the NHS.
 

Gazolba

Well-Known Member
There was a piece in the Gaurdian today about the cost of obesity hitting $1.2 trillion world wide by 2025.
In Britain it is 19 billion at the moment and it will rise to 31 billion.
<snip>
We could solve two world problems in one if someone could come up with a way to suction off the excess fat and use it to fuel power stations.
It could be a sustainable source of energy.
All we need now is a slogan to encourage obesity for the good of the planet.
 

Sick Boy

Well-Known Member
They should whack up the cost of unhealthy food and teach proper food education in schools. The overall diet of the country is unhealthy and a lot of people eat too much. There also needs to be a lot more investment in locals sports facilities across the country. Every village should have some kind of outdoor space/playground/football pitch for kids to get out and play.
 

NorthernWisdom

Well-Known Member
I can’t believe some of the self-righteousness on this thread. I‘m in the overweight category although thankfully to date not been a burden in any way on the NHS … but where does it end? Smoking? Drinking (and I just mean the alcoholics but social drinkers too)? Driving a car or motorbike? Playing dangerous sports? Should we pay just for the services we use? For the many who shout loudly about socialism all over these boards and a fairer society, as usual they only mean the part that benefit them. Imagine the outcry if people who live in less desirable areas (because that’s where they can afford to live) had to pay a higher proportion of policing costs because crime is higher in their area or people without children not wanting to contribute towards education.


Yes the US pay for healthcare. So do we – where do you think the magic pot of money comes from to fund the NHS?
I'll give you a like for the majority of this, if not the socialism outburst!
 

Nick

Administrator
They should whack up the cost of unhealthy food and teach proper food education in schools. The overall diet of the country is unhealthy and a lot of people eat too much. There also needs to be a lot more investment in locals sports facilities across the country. Every village should have some kind of outdoor space/playground/football pitch for kids to get out and play.
Went to one earlier, when I.was a kid it would be rammed. One of those basketball, football enclosed thing. It's dead.

FIFA must be better
 

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