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Some good answers, yes totally agree obesity is a big problem, and getting more exercise is only just one part of a solution.
There are numerous medical reasons why some people are obese, and a similar number of medical conditions that prevents a person from doing exercise.
Now we come to the Government's solution, short of making exercise compulsery, ie setting aside part of the day for those in the work place, and rounding up each day those that don't work, how could they get some people to exercise?
If it was left entirely to the individual, the only people who would take it up, would be those who already exercise or dance. I mean do you ever see a fat person jogging? No they are mainly matchstick people, some who just like to pose, in their designer gear, complete with the obligatory sweat band around their heads.
Much better to attack the problem from the food chain end. They have made smoking an unsociable habit, by introducing various measures, they are now well on the way to do the same regarding alcohol, so why not now food?
Ban all advertising of confectionery, junk food and fast food, limit the number of fast food outlets to start with, followed by a total ban on some of the most fattening foods.
Somewhat extreme you may say, but only a shot time ago, would anyone believe they could have banned smoking in the great British pub?