Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic.

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:05 pm

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nearly-half-million-brits-admitted-7855105

People being admitted to hospital for obesity related illnesses has risen 10 fold in 10 years.....why?

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:15 pm

http://www.west-info.eu/alarming-fat-britain-1-in-3-children-is-obese/

ONE in FIVE children aged 4 to 5 are classed as either overweight or obese.
By the time they start secondary school the number has risen to ONE in THREE.

Someone is to blame...who?

by HoratioTarr Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:52 pm

Syl wrote:http://www.west-info.eu/alarming-fat-britain-1-in-3-children-is-obese/

ONE in FIVE children aged 4 to 5 are classed as either overweight or obese.
By the time they start secondary school the number has risen to ONE in THREE.

Someone is to blame...who?

The food industry. Lazy parenting. Lack of exercise and too much TV and computers.

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:55 pm

Not in that order though I suspect.

I see so many fat people nowadays...and the word is fat.
I get sick of people pussy footing around as if to say the word is insulting....it's a fact.

by eddie Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:58 pm

The government (or whoever rules us) for:
selling us cheap shitty food, for advertising low-fat food which is designed to keep you fat, for selling you the lie that you need this and that in your diet and still pumping us full of sugar, for selling you the lie that you need breakfast then selling you "healthy" cereals which are absolutely crap with clever labelling, for keeping you chained to a desk or a job becasue your wages hardly cover your life's bills so you have no time for exercise and outdoor hobbies, for making cheap, fast food, cheap!
I can think of more if you like

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:00 pm

eddie wrote:The government (or whoever rules us) for:
selling us cheap shitty food, for advertising low-fat food which is designed to keep you fat, for selling you the lie that you need this and that in your diet and still pumping us full of sugar, for selling you the lie that you need breakfast then selling you "healthy" cereals which are absolutely crap with clever labelling, for keeping you chained to a desk or a job becasue your wages hardly cover your life's bills so you have no time for exercise and outdoor hobbies, for making cheap, fast food, cheap!
I can think of more if you like

But....what about taking control of what we eat and what we feed our kids?
Fresh food is still fresh...it's all the processed stuff that's full of rubbish.

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:02 pm

Plus...and I know this from my own extended family and friends, kids simply don't do enough exercise.....they prefer to sit at a computer when they have leisure time, and many parents encourage that because they know where they are and they are safe.

by eddie Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:02 pm

Yes Syl, but I can only say this one way:

Most folk are simple folk: life comes with instructions, and the TV and the Newpapers and the "scientific proof" in the morning papers, tells them all they need to know and safe in that knowledge, unquestionably, they do as they're told.

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:04 pm

eddie wrote:Yes Syl, but I can only say this one way:

Most folk are simple folk: life comes with instructions, and the TV and the Newpapers and the "scientific proof" in the morning papers, tells them all they need to know and safe in that knowledge, unquestionably, they do as they're told.

I don't really buy that Eddie.
People were a lot simpler back in the 40's, 50's and 60's....but they managed to cook instead of relying on everything cooked for them.

by eddie Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:12 pm

Syl wrote:
eddie wrote:Yes Syl, but I can only say this one way:

Most folk are simple folk: life comes with instructions, and the TV and the Newpapers and the "scientific proof" in the morning papers, tells them all they need to know and safe in that knowledge, unquestionably, they do as they're told.

I don't really buy that Eddie.
People were a lot simpler back in the 40's, 50's and 60's....but they managed to cook instead of relying on everything cooked for them.

And they had less information thrown at them Syl.
So they ate what they needed and everything was fresher and more "organic"

Real food. Not processed crap.

In other words, we did better when we had less intrusion by the media (which is our mind-feeder)

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:19 pm

There was less information certainly.
There were also less (indeed no) fast food outlets like Mcdonalds, KFC and Pizza places...people.. especially mothers cooked wholesome meals, and a lot of that generation still do... they have the confusing info as well as everyone else, but they still manage to eat a lot healthier.

I think blaming the media for everything is a cop out, people are lazy and greedy, and they are putting themselves and their kids in danger by relying on the easy options.

I dread to think how the overweight youngsters of today (one in three) will fare health wise when they grow to adulthood.

by Syl Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:26 pm

What prompted this (apart from todays headlines about the strain the obese are putting on the NHS)

Sat in a supermarket café this afternoon, there were loads of primary schoolkids with their mothers, they had obviously called in from school. Some of them were definately overweight. Mums had bought them cakes, sweet drinks, crisps etc, and they were eating them instead of going home to a proper cooked meal.
We have a neighbour...she weighs about 7 stone, her girl is around 7 or 8....she is fat. The mum in the school holidays takes her to Macdonalds every morning for her breakfast.

The child is getting fatter and fatter....it borders on child cruelty imo.

by Victorismyhero Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:02 pm

Tax at 1000% all fast food outlets (or...better still just make em illegal)

compulsory games preceeded by a 5 mile xcountry run at least once a week in school

NO "moms taxis" within 3/4 mile of schools (except , OBVIOUSLY for the TRUELY disabled and no you fat b'stard you DONT count as disabled....get walking then you wont be so incapable of moving your lardy ass around)

make all sales of crisps, chocs etc 18 plus only...like booze

remove the vat exemption on biscuits etc...THEY ARE NOT FOOD

turn off the TV stations from 3:30 pm till 10:30 pm

shut down gaming/music facebook twatter sites etc from 3:30 till 10:30

render ALL new gaming machines (x box etc) incapable of operating between 3:30 and 10:30

just a starter for 10.....

oh and have a special under 18's phone that is the ONLY one they are allowed,,,,

NO..mesaging texting or "smart ability"

just plain phone with only 1 number allowed anytine (a parent)

the rest restricted to 7:30 am till 9am and 7:30 till 9:30 pm

any other time you can WALK to a "public phone"

or you can hook it up to your excercise bike and provided it recognises your hand print and weight will let you phone any time provided you are "cycling" faster than 15 mph.....

by nicko Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:17 pm

All this started when mobile phones, games consoles ipads ect were introduced. I have a Grandson who when he was 11 played football every minute he could and was as fit as could be. His Mother bought him a PlayStation and that was it, he now sits all day playing games and talking to people on a mobile phone.

by Eilzel Sat Apr 30, 2016 1:27 am

Economics, I think Eds already touched on this.

In principle I like something similar to vic's idea (though not as extreme). But if you remove access to those things then how many industries suffer?

Gaming
TV (lost ad revenue)
Fast food
Supernarkets
Newsagents
Candy producers
Drinks producers
And so on.

Now ALL those companies ought to be more responsible and have stricter regulation. And parents who take their kids to Maccy's everyday should frankly lose their children...

But stopping all those things completely would cost millions if not billions, and that would be disastrous. This is why govts in the UK and US do not tackle it seriously enough. Though they should.

by Tommy Monk Sat Apr 30, 2016 2:47 am

Lord Foul wrote:Tax at 1000% all fast food outlets (or...better still just make em illegal)

compulsory games preceeded by a 5 mile xcountry run at least once a week in school

NO "moms taxis" within 3/4 mile of schools (except , OBVIOUSLY for the TRUELY disabled and no you fat b'stard you DONT count as disabled....get walking then you wont be so incapable of moving your lardy ass around)

make all sales of crisps, chocs etc 18 plus only...like booze

remove the vat exemption on biscuits etc...THEY ARE NOT FOOD

turn off the TV stations from 3:30 pm till 10:30 pm

shut down gaming/music facebook twatter sites etc from 3:30 till 10:30

render ALL new gaming machines (x box etc) incapable of operating between 3:30 and 10:30

just a starter for 10.....

oh and have a special under 18's phone that is the ONLY one they are allowed,,,,

NO..mesaging texting or "smart ability"

just plain phone with only 1 number allowed anytine (a parent)

the rest restricted to 7:30 am till 9am and 7:30 till 9:30 pm

any other time you can WALK to a "public phone"

or you can hook it up to your excercise bike and provided it recognises your hand print and weight will let you phone any time provided you are "cycling" faster than 15 mph.....

Are these the proposed rules for all...!?

Or just for the fatties...!?

And where do you draw the lines!?

by Ben Reilly Sat Apr 30, 2016 4:20 am

nicko wrote:All this started when mobile phones, games consoles ipads ect were introduced. I have a Grandson who when he was 11 played football every minute he could and was as fit as could be. His Mother bought him a PlayStation and that was it, he now sits all day playing games and talking to people on a mobile phone.

No offense intended, but has he gained a lot of weight since then?

by nicko Sat Apr 30, 2016 6:21 am

No offence taken Ben, I don't know his weight but he is definitely a lot fatter than he should be at his age.

by Ben Reilly Sat Apr 30, 2016 6:25 am

nicko wrote:No offence taken Ben, I don't know his weight but he is definitely a lot fatter than he should be at his age.

Sad. Seems we're not doing very well by our young people any more.

As I write this I'm hearing an ad on the radio where a dirt-bike racer is exhorting parents to buy their kids a dirt bike or a four-wheeler and take them out camping as an alternative to their "non-stop video games" ... "Have some fun. And if you're scared? Go to church!" Smile

by eddie Sat Apr 30, 2016 9:46 am

Children are definitely a lot less active. For a start, there are childrens channels that show to shows all day now, whereas years ago, we had about a two hour time slot 4-6pm (whilst your mum did dinner lol) and that's all you had.
People are too scared to let their children play out too.

It's the age of isolation really.

by Syl Sat Apr 30, 2016 12:43 pm

Lord Foul wrote:Tax at 1000% all fast food outlets (or...better still just make em illegal)

compulsory games preceeded by a 5 mile xcountry run at least once a week in school

NO "moms taxis" within 3/4 mile of schools (except , OBVIOUSLY for the TRUELY disabled and no you fat b'stard you DONT count as disabled....get walking then you wont be so incapable of moving your lardy ass around)

make all sales of crisps, chocs etc 18 plus only...like booze

remove the vat exemption on biscuits etc...THEY ARE NOT FOOD

turn off the TV stations from 3:30 pm till 10:30 pm

shut down gaming/music facebook twatter sites etc from 3:30 till 10:30

render ALL new gaming machines (x box etc) incapable of operating between 3:30 and 10:30

just a starter for 10.....

oh and have a special under 18's phone that is the ONLY one they are allowed,,,,

NO..mesaging texting or "smart ability"

just plain phone with only 1 number allowed anytine (a parent)

the rest restricted to 7:30 am till 9am and 7:30 till 9:30 pm

any other time you can WALK to a "public phone"

or you can hook it up to your excercise bike and provided it recognises your hand print and weight will let you phone any time provided you are "cycling" faster than 15 mph.....

Prohibition of fast food outlets.....forcing back street kitchens to illegally fry burgers to sell on the black market? Laughing

I don't believe in banning them.....but put the prices up definitely...and limit how many fast food places can open, at the minute there seems to be one on every corner.

I so agree about sports being compulsory in school. My grandsons did hardly any compulsory sports after they left junior school. We used to take them to a voluntary cross country club Sat mornings.
The senior school didn't even have a football team.....unheard of in my day.

I don't think banning kids from buying chocolate would work....their lazy arse parents would buy in bulk for them...they would probably eat more because eating the forbidden is always tastier.

Mums/dads ferry kids to and fro from school and everywhere else nowadays.
I know safety is a big issue....but it needn't be if kids are aware of stranger danger. In fact I think there are so many cars on the road a child is far more likely to be involved in a car accident than come to any other harm.

by Syl Sat Apr 30, 2016 12:46 pm

nicko wrote:All this started when mobile phones, games consoles ipads ect were introduced. I have a Grandson who when he was 11 played football every minute he could and was as fit as could be. His Mother bought him a PlayStation and that was it, he now sits all day playing games and talking to people on a mobile phone.

Spot on Nicko. Mobile phones, games consoles, computers.....they have taken the place of kids actually sociallising face to face and playing out.
Their social lives now consist mainly of them talking to each other through a screen...sat on their bums, eating and drinking rubbish..

by Syl Sat Apr 30, 2016 12:49 pm

Another blast from the past (not for everyone but for many) Actually sitting down at the table and eating family meals together.
I know of several households where they don't even use a table for meals....they each eat in their rooms at various times glued to a screen.

by Original Quill Sat Apr 30, 2016 5:38 pm

British girls try to interest brother in a dip at beach...

Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. Fatman

Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 7e309c8070314079fbcc7b3029fea393

British girls out of shape....

Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. Fat+Guy+on+a+Beach+Fail003

by Syl Sat Apr 30, 2016 5:41 pm

He must have been the one in three fat kid ...he just grew up.

Actually I find those pics really sad.

by 'Wolfie Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:02 pm

eddie wrote:

The government (or whoever rules us) for:
selling us cheap shitty food, for advertising low-fat food which is designed to keep you fat, for selling you the lie that you need this and that in your diet and still pumping us full of sugar, for selling you the lie that you need breakfast then selling you "healthy" cereals which are absolutely crap with clever labelling, for keeping you chained to a desk or a job becasue your wages hardly cover your life's bills so you have no time for exercise and outdoor hobbies, for making cheap, fast food, cheap!
I can think of more if you like

THE BETTER question here could be : "Who rules the government ?"

THE ROLE of guvm'nts isn't to rule, but is supposed to be to "serve" the needs of its citizens..

ONCE the corporations and the financiers gain control of the gov'ts, their societies go to "hell in a handbasket". Suspect

THE BIG KILLERS in over-processed foods tend to be the "white" ingredients, often hidden away :

Excessive fats and oils, especially Saturated fats; and things like Palm oil that aren't a normal part of anyones diet, anyway;
White flour;
White sugar (e.g.sucrose, glucose, maltose, corn syrup..);
Unnecessary additives and preservatives;
Excessive salt (s)..

AS FOR marketing/advertising phrases like 'Low Fat' and 'Lite' -- in fact, there are no real world definitions for using these kinds words to describe foods ! Food companies can get away with this kind of rubbish, as currently there are no regulations in most countries controlling the use of words like "low, light, healthy, organic, et al.." when advertising foods or cosmetics ! Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 4183205388

Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 4183205388

Consider this : IF version (a) of a product has 60% of its calories coming from fats, and the "Low Fat" variety (b) claims '30% less fat than normal !', then in reality it still 42% of its energy as fat, when an adequate level might be less than 10% ! Even worse when food companies are deliberately using poly-saturated fats and oils as cheap taste enhancers and texturisers..
As for "Lite" -- that isn't even a real word ! It was created by an American advertising company back in the 1960s or 1950s..

AND WHO are the biggest culprits fighting back against governments whenever they start looking into to this kind of food tampering, hidden nasties, and misleading advertising, and pollution from packaging, plastic bottles, ring pulls and the likes ?
ONLY the leading fast-food companies, themselves -- Coca Cola, Pepsi, Cadbury-Schweppes, Nescafe, Mars, and all their fellow comrades-in-arms -- of course.. Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 3893789544

Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 3893789544

by Guest Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:06 pm

nicko wrote:All this started when mobile phones, games consoles ipads ect were introduced. I have a Grandson who when he was 11 played football every minute he could and was as fit as could be. His Mother bought him a PlayStation and that was it, he now sits all day playing games and talking to people on a mobile phone.

DITTO...and everything we feed our children or grand children is from a pre-processed box/package/full - meal deal. Evil or Very Mad

Those preservatives were not in the raw foods & veggies that we ate - the gallons of water that we drank; hell...it was rare that we got a glass of 'kool-aide' let alone that extremely rare bottle of POP --- now it's in every refrigerator in every household in America. Loads of sodium in a can of pop and worse in a diet can of pop...but these 21st century kids don't know what it is to just drink 'WATER'!

by Ben Reilly Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:08 pm

That's a good point, 4ever2. When I was a kid, Coke was a treat, not the default beverage.

I think people believe their kids are in more danger than they really are. They hear about child abductions and they forget that every other kid in that area wasn't abducted, that that area hadn't had an abduction in X-number years and that that area is hundreds or thousands of miles away.

by Guest Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:35 pm

Syl wrote:Plus...and I know this from my own extended family and friends, kids simply don't do enough exercise.....they prefer to sit at a computer when they have leisure time, and many parents encourage that because they know where they are and they are safe.

And to whom do we blame for this 'cheap entertainment/baby sitter'; my generation and the onset of 'Sesame Street/Electric Company' ect., etc., et., --- those first 4 years of my son's little life as a single working mother --- I relied heavily on that 'BOOB TUBE' for distraction so I could prepare things. Grabbing things to rush off to work - grab things to get ready for supper - rushing here - rushing there and my little boy was glued to the visual wide world of color and funny puppet people that he saw on TV.

It wasn't until bath time - then bed time that it became 'non TV time' and it was OUR TIME; and that TV was turned off. I noticed as he was growing up that he'd keep it on for just back ground noise when he was 'home alone' {TV or Radio} something blasting through the house. I'm still ok with nothing but the sounds of the neighborhood coming in through my windows --- lets me know that there's other inhabitants out THERE.

But we parents and grand parents need to 'UN-PLUG' our children and grand children more and allow them to learn how to be comfortable with that natural sensation of nothingness --- it's going to be OK that they don't get or send a text every nanosecond of their entire life. I just don't have that many people or that much BS that I need to share. And I've managed to cut back my FB time to ¼ of what I'd been reading daily --- Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 2108625937

Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 2108625937

and I'm OK that the STUPID PEOPLE are surviving without me Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. 2385359624

by veya_victaous Sun May 01, 2016 2:14 am

It really is capitalism at fault, even many of those games on the phone etc are far more addictive then they used to be as now all the mid sized up developer studios, use the same sort of psychological tricks as poker machines etc, especially those with micro transactions like candy crush etc.

Similarly in food it is more profitable to use the cheap bad fats and high sugars. the heavy levels of advertising, peoples compulsion to 'keep up with the Jones' and 'FOMO' (fear of missing out) all drive a sedentary consumer life style.

I agree with that guy saying about getting quad bikes or something, the initial outlay is higher than xbox and you need somewhere to ride but it is fun it keeps you fitter then you'd think and it does get you out 'in the bush' if you from here at least.
I also think it helps give confidence with mechanics as they are simple mechanically like old cars were and you can work on them yourself with just hand tools.
BUT it still needs a Parent willing to take them out riding so ultimately it is the parent that is the key to any solution.

by Guest Sun May 01, 2016 2:48 am

This has nothing to do with Capitalism.
That has been around for centuries.
This has everything to do with laziness and gadgets that preoccupy those in countries that much better off.
The reality is many people will work within the office environment.
Even Taxing to the hilt is extreme to say the least.
What is far more needed is a motivational drive to get people back into being more active.
When I was a child growing up, we for ever down at the local part either playing Sports or a variety of active things. That kept us active and healthy.
The reality is that now we have so many things to preoccupy us.
It is far more interesting to many, to be hooked on the latest Skyrim game, than get off their backside and keep actively busy.
We have so advanced within technology, nobody has kept up pace with the speed of changes, to propose measures to deal with the continuous and many distractions that we can buy.
Personally I think an incentive around many traditional sports, with a view to representing your nation is the key.
We place so much emphasis today wasting countless time, ending up being pulled into to talking about issues around the world. Than having the motivation to m maintaining or starting to excercize.
Capitalism is not the cause of blame, materialism through addictive distractions, is what is starting to create a nation of lazy people.
Addiction comes in many forms and one trait we have and that people will choose vastly more over other options. Is to take the easier path and not end up having to work at keeping feet.
People based on the advances of medicine also. Have now created a belief that they will not become severely ill, until, they are actually diagnosed with an acute life threatening problem. So again,nobody has really created a motivational concept that makes maintaining your own well being through excercize. Into a faultless reasoned argument.
The sad reality is that now people have too many reasons, not to get off their backside and keep active.

Motivation and self belief is the key more so to this problem.
As chucking poor reasoned ideas at humans not being able to maintain pace with technology. Will only be a temporary measure. As I say a belief that allows people to want to feel more fit and healthier. Is what is needed to break the status Quo.
Of course Taxes will furt and make people sit up and listen. But if more and tax fast food takeaways. That then end up closing from this harsh policy.
Add to that as others packing up and setting up to shop elsewhere.

Has that then solved the growing problem?
No, its just offered a temp resolution. Which could end up then seeing humanity, continue down this spiral path .

Prohibition has been once used before in history and the many of the methods created to stop the illegal sale of alcohol. End up offering a carrot onto a stick approach.

Its no good just look at the instruments as the root cause.
As people have always been distracted throughout history.
Its about how to actually cope and understand what effects new technology is having on our human species.

by veya_victaous Sun May 01, 2016 3:16 am

well no, it is not the same sort of capitalism at all globalization has changed the way our economy functions.

Here for example advertising was only tax deductible up to 10% of turn over, trade deals with the USA made us remove that law. so all advertising even if it is excess of turn over is tax deductible. One of a many examples of how capitalism has now progressed to the point of dictating the laws in it's best interest and not the greater populations best interests.

promoting sport through 'representing your nation' is a waste of time, millions should try to get 15 minutes of fame that is award to a few dozen? Rolling Eyes

that Is exactly why kids don't play traditional sport, rather than saying for fun, it is to win win win well... the kids is not a moron and can see he doesn't care enough about a ball game to put in that dedication. he can get the same 15 minutes worth of fame among his peers through playing some computer game for a fraction of the effort. and Literally to increase profitability games like Call of Duty are Built around this 'psychological reward' or recognition among peers, purposely structured for addictive playing and purposely designed to heighten FOMO.

Facebook Imgur Instagram all are built around exploiting homo sapiens FOMO. thus constant connection to the steam of advertisement... that they sell.. which goes back the first point most of the addictive 'eyes on screen' design is explicitly for the purpose of selling advertisement which is actually most social media companies primary business the service is just bait to attract 'eye time' that is sold to advertisers.

people have kept pace with technology just the people that make technology know most people are just animals and respond instinctively to certain stimuli that can be simulation in a 'gaming' scenario creating a more profitable 'entertainment industry'. Science when combined with capitalism is NOT the friends of the normal person who is reduced to a mere 'consumer' in the algorithm to maximize profit.

literally this is what i studied to do at uni. none of it is ever 'would this be good for society' it is all 'is this going to make profit for share holders'.

by veya_victaous Sun May 01, 2016 3:32 am

the smart phone or computer, it is just a tool that provides services, the fact that many homo sapiens can be convinced into expending countless hours with a irrelevant service that's primary reason for being created was to display advertisement to them is more of an indictment of homo sapiens that then tool.

but the GPS, tutorials, access to the world of information, targeted learning tools are all examples of positive services the same device gives. let alone the notebook calendar timekeeping functions. The smart phone alone doesn't cause it. it is in combination with the increasingly sedentary lifestyle, processed foods, etc.

by Guest Sun May 01, 2016 3:40 am

1) It does not matter, the problems in the main is in regards to motivation . Considering your small population has been founded on excelling within Sports nationally for decades.. Begs the question, why have you not been paying attention to this?
It was this motivational drive to succeed that helped motivate many Australians, even if many every weekend, would get blitzed off their faces.
So obtaining 15 minutes of fame, which fil mainly fail to actually combat the issue of obesity.
He or shes ends uip on TV by mere accident or by design.
How will that motivate them, unless they are so offended by TV crew members. That they see for themselves how out of shape and poorly they look?
People will always take advantage of those more easily hooked and swayed.
Again, this has gone on for centuries, with the use of deception and disguise in order to lure people back and continue to pay more.
Hence any views that centers around outside the individual themselves. Will in the main, a short term fix measure. Work and research is required more in order to change their mindset and ability to care to become active again.

Night

by veya_victaous Sun May 01, 2016 3:56 am

yes but due to capitalism we wont try and do that as that would decrease profitability Wink

And we are talking about kids so to them minecraft famous our soccer famous makes no difference Rolling Eyes

Australia has the advantage of the bush and beach, those that don't access these thing regularly have the exact same issue with increasing obesity. Both of these are greater factors in the Australians active lifestyle, plus the weather is more suited to outdoor activity. And Sport here is often promoted to children around fun, community, friendships etc as opposed to representation of the nation which most people know they wont do.

we actually have a segment of beach culture kids that social media has pushed the other way with dangerous diets and exercise regimes plus increased steroid use etc because they all want the 15 mins of fame from that perfect beach bod Instagram pic.

by 'Wolfie Sun May 01, 2016 4:42 am

Paul Ettinger wrote:

1) It does not matter, the problems in the main is in regards to motivation . Considering your small population has been founded on excelling within Sports nationally for decades.. Begs the question, why have you not been paying attention to this?
It was this motivational drive to succeed that helped motivate many Australians, even if many every weekend, would get blitzed off their faces.
So obtaining 15 minutes of fame, which fil mainly fail to actually combat the issue of obesity.
He or shes ends uip on TV by mere accident or by design.
How will that motivate them, unless they are so offended by TV crew members. That they see for themselves how out of shape and poorly they look?
People will always take advantage of those more easily hooked and swayed.
Again, this has gone on for centuries, with the use of deception and disguise in order to lure people back and continue to pay more.
Hence any views that centers around outside the individual themselves. Will in the main, a short term fix measure. Work and research is required more in order to change their mindset and ability to care to become active again.

Night

WORK in the Advertising industry, per chance Paul ???

YOU DON'T half talk a load of industry apologist nonsense and misdirection !

WOULDN'T it be more productive to try and encourage people towards physical activities, sports and exercise, through highlighting positives such as fun, fitness, socialising, getting outside into the fresh air -- instead of harping on about representing your country at elite levels -- what's the point of over-emphasising one factor that 99% of participants have no hope of reaching ?

"CAPITALISM" may well have had its roots in the 17th and 18th century, but modern-day Advertising as an industry in its own right, and its marketing philosophy ("sell the sizzle rather than the steak") really only started after World War One, and accelerating greatly since the 1960s and '70s.

"MARKETING" has only been taught as a separate university course in its own right since the late 1970s.. Before that, it was a major within Economics, Commerce and Business degrees

by Guest Sun May 01, 2016 5:49 am

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:
Paul Ettinger wrote:

1) It does not matter, the problems in the main is in regards to motivation . Considering your small population has been founded on excelling within Sports nationally for decades.. Begs the question, why have you not been paying attention to this?
It was this motivational drive to succeed that helped motivate many Australians, even if many every weekend, would get blitzed off their faces.
So obtaining 15 minutes of fame, which fil mainly fail to actually combat the issue of obesity.
He or shes ends uip on TV by mere accident or by design.
How will that motivate them, unless they are so offended by TV crew members. That they see for themselves how out of shape and poorly they look?
People will always take advantage of those more easily hooked and swayed.
Again, this has gone on for centuries, with the use of deception and disguise in order to lure people back and continue to pay more.
Hence any views that centers around outside the individual themselves. Will in the main, a short term fix measure. Work and research is required more in order to change their mindset and ability to care to become active again.

Night

WORK in the Advertising industry, per chance Paul ???
Paul Ettinger wrote: Nope and I have never worked in advertising.

YOU DON'T half talk a load of industry apologist nonsense and misdirection !
Paul Ettinger wrote: Industry? I am talking about thousands of years of history and what is able to gain our attention

WOULDN'T it be more productive to try and encourage people towards physical activities, sports and exercise, through highlighting positives such as fun, fitness, socialising, getting outside into the fresh air -- instead of harping on about representing your country at elite levels -- what's the point of over-emphasising one factor that 99% of participants have no hope of reaching ?
Paul Ettinger wrote:Never stated otherwise, as said in my previous post that like within Australia for example for for decades they encouraged the idea of Sport and training their sportsman to excel in many different fields, but swimming they dominated for years, considering its population size.. Its only within the last decade that the UK has started to learn from this, but its still not enough to motivate and get people more active. Well, I am sure every person that sets out to do say a Marathon does not always succeed in doing so or in some cases finishing, but you can say whether the motivational factor was behind the main cause

"CAPITALISM" may well have had its roots in the 17th and 18th century, but modern-day Advertising as an industry in its own right, and its marketing philosophy ("sell the sizzle rather than the steak") really only started after World War One, and accelerating greatly since the 1960s and '70s.
Paul Ettinger wrote: You are letting people off for things they themselves can decide over. I may well have said that some things are addictive, of which they are, but they are not things, that we cannot control when it comes to being distracted by things like the TV, computer games etc

"MARKETING" has only been taught as a separate university course in its own right since the late 1970s.. Before that, it was a major within Economics, Commerce and Business degrees

Paul Ettinger wrote: Marketing just simple exploits key areas of the human psychology and bases this on a standard audience.
Capitalism, does not make you decide to sit at home playing computer games for example. The excitement and the buss are things that keep you distracted. What this means is we have lost focus, but that always falls down to each individual to control

by Syl Sun May 01, 2016 7:18 pm

4EVER2 wrote:
Syl wrote:Plus...and I know this from my own extended family and friends, kids simply don't do enough exercise.....they prefer to sit at a computer when they have leisure time, and many parents encourage that because they know where they are and they are safe.
And to whom do we blame for this 'cheap entertainment/baby sitter'; my generation and the onset of 'Sesame Street/Electric Company' ect., etc., et., --- those first 4 years of my son's little life as a single working mother --- I relied heavily on that 'BOOB TUBE' for distraction so I could prepare things. Grabbing things to rush off to work - grab things to get ready for supper - rushing here - rushing there and my little boy was glued to the visual wide world of color and funny puppet people that he saw on TV.

It wasn't until bath time - then bed time that it became 'non TV time' and it was OUR TIME; and that TV was turned off. I noticed as he was growing up that he'd keep it on for just back ground noise when he was 'home alone' {TV or Radio} something blasting through the house. I'm still ok with nothing but the sounds of the neighborhood coming in through my windows --- lets me know that there's other inhabitants out THERE.

But we parents and grand parents need to 'UN-PLUG' our children and grand children more and allow them to learn how to be comfortable with that natural sensation of nothingness --- it's going to be OK that they don't get or send a text every nanosecond of their entire life. I just don't have that many people or that much BS that I need to share. And I've managed to cut back my FB time to ¼ of what I'd been reading daily --- and I'm OK that the STUPID PEOPLE are surviving without me

Using the TV as an unpaid baby sitter was rife for our generation.
Personally I didn't because my son was hyperactive...not saying I would not have done if it had worked though.
I am a great believer in getting kids out of the house...even for a long walk if money is scarce, ANYTHING is better than letting them stagnate in front of a techie machine living life interactively rather than...well...living their lives.

One rule I still insist on whether it be for my son or my grandsons....when we are eating, either in or out, there will be NO mobile phones or electronic gadgets used at the table.

by eddie Sun May 01, 2016 8:16 pm

TV (especially children's TV) also has its place fir teaching children heaps of stuff. They learn all the time - absorbing like sponges. They're not just sitting there like robots, they are learning too.
So we shouldn't beat ourselves up over it ladies X

by Guest Sun May 01, 2016 8:21 pm

eddie wrote:TV (especially children's TV) also has its place fir teaching children heaps of stuff. They learn all the time - absorbing like sponges. They're not just sitting there like robots, they are learning too.
So we shouldn't beat ourselves up over it ladies X

I'll agree with that with this caveat; we parents do not get to control what commercials are used/played during those highly educational/family orientated programs and those are just as mind bending for 'SELLING' our youth of the world on crap that they don't need but are told 'YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT'!

by Syl Sun May 01, 2016 8:23 pm

One reason why so many parents dread Christmas.
Kids are brain washed by the ads they see for the latest most expensive toys and gadgets.

by Major Sun May 01, 2016 8:25 pm

I get around a lot and notice fattiz everywhere, It is a big prob IMO.

Have you noticed the really big fattiz are in wheelchairs?

by Syl Sun May 01, 2016 8:28 pm

Stormee wrote:I get around a lot and notice fattiz everywhere, It is a big prob IMO.

Have you noticed the really big fattiz are in wheelchairs?

Sadly people in wheelchairs have difficulty moving about.
Obesity isn't only caused by what we eat...lack of any exercise is a killer too.

by Major Sun May 01, 2016 8:33 pm

True Syl.
Most days of the week we sit in a cafe somewhere for a snack and people watch as one duz.
Redditch is the place we reckon have more than their fair share of them.

They glide past eating fast foods.

by Syl Sun May 01, 2016 8:36 pm

Stormee wrote:True Syl.
Most days of the week we sit in a cafe somewhere for a snack and people watch as one duz.
Redditch is the place we reckon have more than their fair share of them.

They glide past eating fast foods.

I hate to see fat people eating in the street or in their cars....10 times worse are parents feeding their fat kids utter rubbish instead of actually going home and COOKING. Rolling Eyes

by Tommy Monk Sun May 01, 2016 8:45 pm

Those in wheelchairs doing the marathon looked to be moving about plenty... don't remember any of them being fatties...

Although they have genuine disabilities that warrant use of the wheelchairs...

I'm sure they would all love to have use of legs and not have to use wheelchairs...

by Victorismyhero Sun May 01, 2016 8:53 pm

The core question is ...which came first the fat or the wheel chair

did they get fat from being confined to a wheel chair...or did they end up in a wheel chair becasue the were so overweight??

by eddie Sun May 01, 2016 11:36 pm

4EVER2 wrote:
eddie wrote:TV (especially children's TV) also has its place fir teaching children heaps of stuff. They learn all the time - absorbing like sponges. They're not just sitting there like robots, they are learning too.
So we shouldn't beat ourselves up over it ladies X

I'll agree with that with this caveat; we parents do not get to control what commercials are used/played during those highly educational/family orientated programs and those are just as mind bending for 'SELLING' our youth of the world on crap that they don't need but are told 'YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT'!

Amen to that. Those adverts are just too many and too wrong.

by Syl Mon May 02, 2016 1:06 pm

Lord Foul wrote:The core question is ...which came first the fat or the wheel chair

did they get fat from being confined to a wheel chair...or did they end up in a wheel chair becasue the were so overweight??

Depends entirely on why they are in a wheelchair in the first place.

I agree with what someone said earlier in this thread...addiction has many faces, people are addicted to rubbish food and drink, they are also addicted to sitting behind a computerised screen, where the only part of their bodies that get excercised are the fingers....and the brain.

I see a distant future for mankind where vocal chords are obsolete and fingers have all the muscle and strength....legs obviously will have withered and died.

by Raggamuffin Mon May 02, 2016 1:09 pm

People aren't really addicted to rubbish food - they eat it out of habit and because it's easy and they're probably bored. Look, getting fat sucks, but it doesn't happen overnight, so people need to pull themselves up before they end up stuck in a doorway.

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