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Government bans the word 'obese' to describe overweight children
Times Online ^
Posted on 08/04/2008 1:13:20 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Government bans the word 'obese' to describe overweight children Obesity is a growing problem in the UK
Parents of primary school children will start getting letters in September telling them how fat their children are. But however much they weigh, no child will ever be described as obese.
The Department of Health has found in surveys that the term obese is a turn-off, so instead will use the term very overweight for those children whose body mass index exceeds 30, in an attempt to enlist parents support.
Primary care trusts have been given a detailed set of instructions, and a sample letter, explaining how to convey to parents the results of the National Child Measurement Programme.
Among other words not to be used is exercise. Dr Will Cavendish, Director of Health and Wellbeing at the department, said that this, too, conveyed an unhelpful image to parents. Being physically active is preferred.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: bmi; england; fat; fatkids; language; nannystate; obese; obesechildren; obesity; uk; unitedkingdom
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To: Sub-Driver
I tried telling my vet my cat wasn’t fat, she was just fluffy. He looked me in the eye and said “No, she’s not fluffy, she’s fat. Put her on a diet.”
21
posted on
08/04/2008 1:30:13 PM PDT
by
MissEdie
(On the Sixth Day God created Spurrier)
To: Sub-Driver
just add a new category to the list ...
Slim ~ Reg. ~ Husky ~ W/Suspenders
22
posted on
08/04/2008 1:31:58 PM PDT
by
Liberty Valance
(Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
To: Sub-Driver
Why not just call them “pleasantly plump.”
23
posted on
08/04/2008 1:32:50 PM PDT
by
PGR88
To: Sub-Driver
24
posted on
08/04/2008 1:35:35 PM PDT
by
ari-freedom
(Obamuh uh uh uh uh uh uh ummmmmm)
To: Sub-Driver
They’re not “fat”, they’re “hard to kidnap”.
25
posted on
08/04/2008 1:36:01 PM PDT
by
tacticalogic
("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
To: Sub-Driver
26
posted on
08/04/2008 1:44:52 PM PDT
by
Waco
To: Coffee200am
How long before the word Overweight is banned? Yep, the next word will be "Massive," or my favorite "GINORMO"
27
posted on
08/04/2008 1:47:24 PM PDT
by
Skooz
(Gabba Gabba we accept you we accept you one of us Gabba Gabba we accept you we accept you one of us)
To: tacticalogic
At least hard to kidnap without a wheelbarrow.
28
posted on
08/04/2008 1:49:06 PM PDT
by
MARTIAL MONK
(I'm waiting for the POP!)
To: Sub-Driver
First "cripple"
Then "fat".
Then "obese".
I suppose "stupid" is next...
Creative language at its finest.
29
posted on
08/04/2008 1:49:36 PM PDT
by
Publius6961
(You're Government, it's not your money, and you never have to show a profit.)
To: Sub-Driver
Removing words from the English language is the cornerstone of Newspeak.
30
posted on
08/04/2008 1:51:55 PM PDT
by
Maceman
(If you're not getting a tax cut, you're getting a pay cut.)
To: Sub-Driver
How split personality fits them better besides liar, cheats, thieves.
31
posted on
08/04/2008 1:53:10 PM PDT
by
freekitty
(Give me back my conservative vote.)
To: Sub-Driver
I suggest using the phrase “calorically gifted”.
32
posted on
08/04/2008 1:53:23 PM PDT
by
6SJ7
To: ari-freedom
33
posted on
08/04/2008 1:55:42 PM PDT
by
M203M4
(True Universal Suffrage: Pets of dead illegal-immigrant felons voting Democrat (twice))
To: Sub-Driver
Why is a “National Child Measurement Programme” necessary?
Don’t they think the parents already know their kids are fat?
To: Sub-Driver
Among other words not to be used is exercise. Dr Will Cavendish, Director of Health and Wellbeing at the department, said that this, too, conveyed an unhelpful image to parents.Exercise? And, if the kid is flunking in school--"study" becomes a bad word?
35
posted on
08/04/2008 2:06:29 PM PDT
by
TruthShallSetYouFree
(Abortion is to family planning what bankruptcy is to financial planning.)
To: Sub-Driver
How about that stalwart phrase from long ago...”husky?”
36
posted on
08/04/2008 2:15:16 PM PDT
by
doodad
To: Sub-Driver
My wife is an English expat, she loves stuff like this to remind her why she left.
To: Sub-Driver
"Government bans the word 'obese' to describe overweight children, but pork chop is still OK. "
To: Sub-Driver
39
posted on
08/04/2008 5:21:33 PM PDT
by
lowbridge
("I have never learned to fight for my freedom. I was only good at enjoying it" - Van Den Boogaard)
To: Sub-Driver
Morbidly obese children will be referred to as very, very overweight. Good grief.
40
posted on
08/04/2008 5:23:54 PM PDT
by
JustaDumbBlonde
("When the government fears the people there is liberty ... " Thomas Jefferson)
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