How do they Know

[mazie]

I listened to the Today programme this morning and the report says that two thirds of the Adult population of the UK are Obese and one third of our children are obese.....How do they know that? I haven't been to the Doctors for 10 years, so are they counting me? They are talking about applying a "Fat Tax" on all foods that have too many calories.......So here's my statistics....Perhaps we could do our own study

5'2" about 9 stone or just under

[boxtops]

Re the TV progs, people participating in the view survey get given some sort of set-top box (or they used to) which records exactly what they are watching. I don't know how they do it now though, with all the i-player and +1s so you can watch the programmes when you choose.

[weecalf]

Went to docs he said I was to small for my weight .What can I do about it for my weight I should be 6' 8" .

[factor-fiction]

I am not defending that obesity statistic in any way other than to say a survey doesn't have to include everyone. The statistic of two thirds (which is quite a bit less than the figure of 75% you have now used) certainly sounds far too high to me!
I'll see if I can find the report- maybe it was misquoted or misinterpreted

[mazie]

Much appreciated Factor x I just get sick of everyone being lumped together..i.e. the average family spend this, do that, etc. We are getting taxed out of existance and one more tax is a tax too much!

[Andyvon]

When I registered with my GP a few years ago I was weighed by the nurse. She gave me the result in kilos which I can't remember as I haven't a clue about those. She then scowled at me and told me I was "Not obese- but severely clinically obese!" I asked how she could say that and she went to a chart on the wall, ran her hands along the two scales and they met in a region that said "Severely Clinically Obese". I asked her who had designed the chart and she indignantly replied something about "Medical boards and professionals" etc. I told her I walk six miles a day, cycle, often swim a mile or two and I have no problem doing anything. I then told her to screw the chart up and throw it away as it was obviously rubbish. She was even more indignant about that!

Quite obviously these figures are nonsense. They work on height v weight but they don't take into account that everyone is different. Unless someone can't walk or climb steps they don't have too much to worry about.

[factor-fiction]

I've seen the survey headlines and I think you slightly misheard the findings or they misquoted the report.
The report said "About 60% of UK adults and a third of children are overweight or obese."
That seems about right to me. I would say most of these would be simply 'overweight'.
I haven't seen how the results were arrived at but they seem about right to me.

[factor-fiction]

I have also just read that the government has ruled out any 'fat tax' on foods if that puts your mind at rest.
Here is one article, although i don't know how reliable it is:

The Government's new obesity strategy will focus more on personal responsibility than the use of legislation. Ministers said they would encourage industry and the public sector to play their part, but said it was up to individuals to be "more honest" about how much they eat and drink, and ruled out using a 'fat tax' to change behaviour.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “We have to halt and then reverse the tide of obesity in this country. Government has a role to play, but it is clear that we cannot do this alone. We need to work in a broad partnership with local authorities, businesses, charities, health professionals and individuals."
Dame Sally Davies added that the "whole environment" around food needed to change, and called on the food industry to work with the Government to find solutions.
"

[Andyvon]

They could start by stopping junk food advertising and refusing planning permission for all the fast food joints they've allowed to open. If they can stop tobacco advertising they can stop advertising products that have such a serious affect on such a large proportion of the population, including children.

Perhaps I'm cynical but local and central government make too much money from fast food so they won't do anything about that. They aren't THAT serious about obesity of course!