We are all fat!

[Keerin]

After reading a BBC article I am interested in your views and opinions on the matter of Britain being "a fat country" and how we can solve this problem.

First off, I think the BMI is a rubbish way to determine if you are overweight or not. For example, I think I am underweight. I am six foot 1 and I weigh between 11 and 12 stone. Now, there is not a single ounce of fat on me, my ribs poke out and if i lie down with no top on you can see my heart beating. I was told at school i was underweight and as far as i guessed i still am. On the BMI machine in the overgate, I was classed as perfectly on weight with a perfect BM of 22.2 (bang in the middle of healthy).

You can check your BMI here or view a chart here

Secondly, I think a ban on junk food advertising is a good place to start, with better education towards exercise and healthy eating a priority in schools, colleges and universities. It is hard to find out exactly what to eat if you want to be classed as healthy (salads are not as "healthy" as you think!) so I think that we need to helped along the way with what we should and shouldn't be eating.

[humndislocation]

I don't think that junk food advertising should be banned. Companies that make junk food have just as much right to advertise as anyone else. It's not their fault that people with no willpower eat too much of it.

[RiseAgainst]

Originally Posted by humndislocation

I don't think that junk food advertising should be banned. Companies that make junk food have just as much right to advertise as anyone else. It's not their fault that people with no willpower eat too much of it.

thats a class comment.

its people with no willpower who want it banned! same with cigerettes/alcohol etc etc

[AlanG]

Originally Posted by humndislocation

I don't think that junk food advertising should be banned. Companies that make junk food have just as much right to advertise as anyone else. It's not their fault that people with no willpower eat too much of it.

Also copies of the Dandy should have adverts for cigarettes in them and as promotions give some away for free occasionally (as they do with lollies etc).

[humndislocation]

Originally Posted by AlanG

Also copies of the Dandy should have adverts for cigarettes in them and as promotions give some away for free occasionally (as they do with lollies etc).

Won't someone PLEASE think of the children??

[Keerin]

Originally Posted by humndislocation

I don't think that junk food advertising should be banned. Companies that make junk food have just as much right to advertise as anyone else. It's not their fault that people with no willpower eat too much of it.

Children don't have much choice there. Less junk food advertisment = less people eating junk food = more people eating healthy products (in theory)

[Rebelius]

yep, cos if McDonalds adverts aren't on the TV, kids will all instantly forget that fast food exists.

[RiseAgainst]

Originally Posted by Rebelius

yep, cos if McDonalds adverts aren't on the TV, kids will all instantly forget that fast food exists.

thats the point thats missed by all these Jamie Oliver types.

you walk into a shop and you see big Cadbury/Mars stands yet no huge "EAT CELERY" types.

make junk food healthier rather than ban it.

[Shawman]

i'm insulted! i'm not fat, i'm dead sexy you see

[pixelsink]

I'm fat =)

[Keerin]

Originally Posted by Rebelius

yep, cos if McDonalds adverts aren't on the TV, kids will all instantly forget that fast food exists.

Of course not! That's just silly. What I meant was that advertising aimed at children is (in my opinion) below the belt.

http://www.epha.org/a/767

^^^ Some info on what I was suggesting.

Although not exactly a hugely credible source of information(internet poll... in america), i found this:

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/new...asp?NewsID=891

Suggesting that the majority of Americans see advertising directed at children as a problem relating to child obesity.

[Keerin]

Originally Posted by RiseAgainst

make junk food healthier rather than ban it.

how would that work? the reason its junk food is because its cheap to make. healthy foods are usually more expensive to produce, not as profitable...