Obesity

[greywolf]

BMI is not a good measure for sportsmen/women, particularly those with large muscular development - rowers, rugby players, etc, will very often be judged "overweight", i.e. BMI >25, and sometimes even fall into the "0bese" category - i.e BMI > 30.

There's quite a big difference between the two though: I'm 1m76 and 76 kg, so thats 1.5 kg (= 3 pints of Guinness ) from being overweight, but i'd need to put on 17 kg to qualify as obese.

If you can get round an O course in a reasonably competitive time and you don't have huge wodges of flab then I'd suggest you don't need to worry about BMI.

[FatBoy]

There are big bones of course, they tend to be in big people

One method I heard of the other day of deciding you're obese is if you have >= 17" neck. I know I've got a few pounds I still need to shift but they are absolutely not on my neck! If I stopped canoeing then it seems I would no longer be obese?

I think there's too many statisics about BMI, RDA etc. Do some exercise and eat less crap. But then you all new that.

Wife says to her husband: "Does this dress make my bum look big". He replies: "No, it's all the chocolate cake that makes your bum look big."

[Copepod]

Wether we like it or not we are in a pandemic of hipopotamatosis. How about banning anyone with a BMI>30 from having a TV.

Banning the TV is not needed, just the remote control.

Or replace electrics mains supply with pedal powered TV.

[Mrs H]

I have found a small financial incentive works well with my girls (Neville never seemed to need too much encouragement while he was at home - not sure that applies now he is out of my range )

I say "well I could give you the outrageous 60p a day bus fare each to get home - or you could walk and pay off the debt you owe me for your new phone/MP3/etc over the next 2 years without having to part with any money".

It is a good 2 miles steeply up the Malvern hills and of course they have to carry heavy bags so I'm sure there's some merit in it. I'm also keen for them to realise that as they move out of the school PE years into the sixth form and beyond they have to build some exercise into their daily life and that this is not too hard to do.

"I'm afriad I do run them down the hill in the car to the paper shop half way in the mornings - the alternative is getting up half an hour earlier and no paper with my breakfast

[Julie Valighton]

Hocolite; spill the beans, what is your Ht + wt etc as your BMI is definitely not 2, or was that a typo.

[Gross]

"I'm afriad I do run them down the hill in the car to the paper shop half way in the mornings - the alternative is getting up half an hour earlier and no paper with my breakfast

Which is one reason we have global warming, high dependency on oil, fat gits etc etc

[Mrs H]

Gordon - who exactly are you calling a fat git? Shameless Ryanair Tout that you are!
(the only BMI Gross knows about is the airline )

[Gross]

Thought the entire thread was about Fatgits:) And what's wrong with Ryanair???

[Copepod]

I reckon paper rounds are a good idea - that was my first ever job, aged 13 years, 2 rounds on Sunday morning, which gave me the money to take part in ranger / venture weekends away hiking, caving, canoeing etc. Gave up aged 16 years when I had enough savings. Then Mrs H wouldn't have to drive to the paper shop... (Edited - meant wouldn't, not would)

[HOCOLITE]

Hocolite; spill the beans, what is your Ht + wt etc as your BMI is definitely not 2, or was that a typo.

Well if only no not a typo I said 2.?? above the level.

[grubby]

The more obese bods who enter M45, or M50 next year, the better !

[King Tim]

... or should the state intervene (through legislation, taxation etc) on our behalf, as it is doing with smoking?

I recently received the following proposal from, well let's just call him "Anti Fatty Matty". It was created quite independantly from this thread, but I feel it is appropriate to share it here. It seems the government is already taking action and from July 1st 2008, being fat indoor will be against the law. 'Fattys' will be left outside. How I did laugh when I read it:

New Fat Free Policy

What do I do checklist

Employers, managers and those in charge of fat free premises and vehicles will need to:
· display 'no-being fat' signs in fat free premises and vehicles
· take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers/members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicles are legally required to be fat free
· remove any existing indoor being fat rooms
· ensure that no one is fat in fat free premises or vehicles

You may also want to take these supportive measures:
· develop a fat free policy in consultation with staff
· offer staff training to help them understand the new law and what their responsibilities are
· provide your staff and customers with support to quit being fat

The Government has produced an official guide which explains everything you need to know about the new law and what you need to do to comply with it. Additional guidance leaflets are also available for both businesses and individuals, along with supporting materials. These can be downloaded from this site.


Which places must be fat free?

Fat free premises

The new fat free law applies to virtually all 'enclosed' and 'substantially enclosed' public places and workplaces. This includes both permanent structures and temporary ones such as tents and marquees. This also means that indoor being fat rooms in public places and workplaces are no longer allowed.

Premises are considered 'enclosed' if they have a ceiling or roof and (except for doors, windows or passageways) are wholly enclosed either on a permanent or temporary basis.

Premises are considered 'substantially enclosed' if they have a ceiling or roof, but have an opening in the walls, which is less than half the total area of the walls. The area of the opening does not include doors, windows or any other fittings that can be opened or shut.

If you require further guidance on whether your premises are 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed' please contact your local council.


Fat free vehicles

The new law also requires vehicles to be fat free at all times if they are used:
· to transport members of the public or
· in the course of paid or voluntary work by more than one person - regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time.

Vehicles that are used primarily for private purposes are not be required to be fat free.


What signage do I have to display?

The new law requires no-being fat signs to be displayed in all fat free premises and vehicles. Signs help to make it clear which premises and vehicles are fat free and demonstrate that you are taking the necessary steps to meet the requirements of the new law.

Required signage for fat free premises

No-being fat signs must be displayed in a prominent position at every entrance to fat free premises. These must meet the following minimum requirements:
· be a minimum of A5 in area (210mm x 148mm)
· display the international no-being fat symbol, which consists solely of a graphic representation of a single fatty enclosed in a red circle of at least 70mm in diameter with a red bar across it
· carry the following words in characters that can be easily read: 'No being fat. It is against the law to be fat in these premises'

A smaller sign consisting of the international no-being fat symbol at least 70mm in diameter may instead be displayed at entrances to fat free premises that are:
· only used by members of staff, providing the premises displays at least one A5 area sign, or
· located within larger fat free premises, such as a shop within an indoor shopping centre.

Required signage for fat free vehicles

Fat free vehicles must display a no-being fat sign in each compartment of the vehicle in which people can be carried. This must show the international no-being fat symbol at least 70mm in diameter.

Signs were included in the guidance mailing to businesses in April. Additional signs can be downloaded and printed from this website. Alternatively, you are welcome to design and print your own no-being fat signs as long as they meet the minimum requirements. You are also free to personalise your signs by changing the words 'these premises' to refer to the name or type of premises - such as 'this gym', 'this salon' or 'this restaurant'.


How is the law being enforced?

Local councils are responsible for enforcing the new law in England. They have worked closely with businesses to help ensure that everyone understands how to comply with the new law.

In other countries, such as Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand, levels of compliance are high, and the laws quickly became self-enforcing. However, if you manage or are in charge of any premises or vehicles that the new law applies to, you have a legal responsibility to ensure they are fat free and remain so. Therefore, you need to be prepared to take action if someone does be fat in a fat free place.

We have developed a flowchart setting out suggested steps to take:

How to deal with being fat in a fat free place (PDF, 48KB)

If someone is being fat in a fat free place or vehicle, you should alert the manager or the person in charge of the premises or vehicle in the first instance.

Alternatively you can contact the relevant local council or phone the Fat free Compliance Line on 0800 587 166 7 to make a report. This information will be passed to the relevant local authority to follow up as appropriate.


What are the penalties and fines for breaking the fat free law?

If you don't comply with the fat free law, you will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:
· Being fat in fat free premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person being fat. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
· Failure to display no-being fat signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid in 15 days) imposed on whoever manages or occupies the fat free premises or vehicle. Or a maximum fine of £1000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
· Failing to prevent being fat in a fat free place: a maximum fine of £2500 imposed on whoever manages or controls the fat free premises or vehicle if prosecuted and convicted by a court. There is no fixed penalty notice for this offence.


How do I develop a fat free policy?

To ensure employees are aware of fat free legislation and changes to your workplace you may wish to consider developing a written fat free policy for your workplace.

Effective fat free policies:
· are concise and simple to understand;
· explain the reasons for the policy;
· acknowledge the right of employees to work in a fat free environment;
· make reference to the relevant fat free legislation;
· state that the policy applies to workers at all levels as well as to visitors and customers;
· identify where being fat is/is not permitted;
· are concise and simple to understand;
· identify the members of management and staff who have responsibility for the implementation of the policy;
· state how the organisation will deal with non-compliance;
· provide information on how to obtain help to quit being fat;
· include a consultation with members of staff;
· are communicated to all members of staff (including new employees before they start work).

You will need to decide how to deal with non-compliance with your fat free policy and how the policy fits within your existing health and safety as well as discipline policies.

Download a sample fat free policy here (PDF, 408KB)


What about a being fat shelter?

There is no requirement to provide being fat shelters. It is common for health-focused employers not to spend money creating places for fattys to congregate. If you do have an outside being fat shelter or area, you will need to be sure that it is not 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed' as defined by the new law.

Please note, the Department of Health and Fat free England cannot provide advice on the design or construction of being fat shelters. If you do decide to build a shelter, we suggest you discuss any plans you may have with your local council, as there may be a range of issues you need to consider. These might include planning permission, licensing, building control, noise and litter.

How can I support my staff and customers who wish to stop being fat?

Around 70% of fattys say they want to stop being fat, and the new fat free law may provide extra motivation to do so. If you'd like to help your staff and customers to become non-fattys, the NHS offers excellent free support including the local NHS Stop Being fat Services and the Together programme. Employers can speak to their local NHS Stop Being fat Services about support for their employees during or outside working hours.

[grubby]

Oh, how I would just love to put this up in work !