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From the Library of Parlement

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/prb0511-e.htm

Its official, Canada is the expanding frontier; in belt sizes that is.

Obesity leads to many deseases that are now burdening our healthcare system. Heart desease, stroke, diabetes, and many others.

The government, and that means ALL PARTIES. Seem to be afraid to deal with it, the solutions as I see them are not likely to endeer them with the voters.

I for one would like to see taxes removed from gym memberships, sports equipment, and other activity based clubs and groups. Its alot easier to treat a sprained ankle than re-habilitate someone from a stroke; if they survive.

But what comes next? Fat tax? a belt size cut off for free healthcare? not very plesant I know.

And lets not forget about trans fats! One of the biggest causes of obesity and related deseases. When we found out lead in paint was killing us we banned it, the same with aespestos, and countless others.

What do you see?

   

Promote cycling and walking. It worked for Sweden: more people commute by foot there than by car, and they have reduced obesity as a result.

   

Fat chance.

   

How about a RWLP (Registered Weight Loss Plan) for those that want to defer taxes?

j/k

   

How about people just stop eating junk? Or go get some more exercise?

I always thought schools should teach children more about agriculture and how to grow food. Should replace school canteens that consist of chips, pop, and more junk and have a school garden and use the fruits and vegetables from it to serve for lunch?

   

That may not be to far away, There are several schools that have gone so far as to ban junk food and get rid of the vending machines.

   

Might as well. It seems hypocritical to tell people don't eat bad food yet serve it to them for lunch.

   

its not like any level of our government has ever thought hypocricy was a bad thing... Its practiced on a daily basis.

   

The way to avoid obesity is simple, balanced diet and exercise.

Too many people these days are simply too lazy to either cook healthy meals and/or exercise. So instead they eat at McDonald's and drive a block to the corner store for a newspaper.

I was very skinny until I hit about 25, when my activity level dropped (graduated uni) and my diet stayed the same.

Result: I gained 50 pounds in about 10 years.

I changed my diet last year and began working out a minimum of 4 times a week (an hour long) and started bike riding a couple of times a week for at least 30 minutes.

Result: I've dropped 30 pounds in less than a year and according to my last physical, I'm very healthy now.

This summer, I expect to lose the last 20 pounds playing tennis, bike riding, etc. I also lift weights 3 times a week.

I think that government should add 'sin taxes' to junk food (chips, chocolate bars, etc) or find some way to make healthy food more affordable. It's sad when you can buy 2L of Coke for 1/2 the price of 2L of orange juice (food stamps or something). Another thing would be to offer that $500 tax credit for sporting goods to adults as well as children. That's about the going rate for a gym membership in a lot of places these days. If people got a credit for buying a bicycle or going to the gym, you might see people more willing to spend the money.

   

Your completely right Bootlga, The problem is that people dont eat healthy and dont exercise no matter what you tell them, which inevitably leads to disease. Which in turn drives up heathcare costs...

Its sad really, its completly preventable but is one of the main reasons for the strain on the healthcare system.

   

Agreed: Getting people out of their cars would be a big help.

Unfortunately, a lot of people live in places that have been developed with the automobile first and foremost in mind, and so far government has done little to put the brakes on suburban sprawl.

Government should be pushing more aggressively for higher density and mixed-use development that would encourage healthier lifestyles.

   

Well, if there was a 'sin tax' on junk food, then that could be funnelled right into health care. I'm sure in a decade or so, it would surpass the cigarette tax, which is shrinking every year due to fewer people starting smoking and the cigarettes killing off their users.

   

This is starting to take effect in Toronto area these days.

   

Just check your body mass index (BMI) to measure your body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.

Check if your fat here: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

   

ok but BMI sucks ass. No two people are the same. So how can u say what they are supposed to weigh, ect. For some people even if you gave them the best of food and the best of excercise there is no way that they would fall into the correct BMI.
Or atleast I dont think so anyhow.

   

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