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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)
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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)
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To: Sub-Driver

Why not just call them “pleasantly plump.”


23 posted on 08/04/2008 1:32:50 PM PDT by PGR88
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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)
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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.)
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To: Sub-Driver

fatass OK???


26 posted on 08/04/2008 1:44:52 PM PDT by Waco
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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)
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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!)
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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.)
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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.)
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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.)
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To: Sub-Driver

I suggest using the phrase “calorically gifted”.


32 posted on 08/04/2008 1:53:23 PM PDT by 6SJ7
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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))
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To: Sub-Driver

Why is a “National Child Measurement Programme” necessary?

Don’t they think the parents already know their kids are fat?


34 posted on 08/04/2008 2:00:25 PM PDT by I_Like_Spam
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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.)
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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
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To: Sub-Driver

My wife is an English expat, she loves stuff like this to remind her why she left.


37 posted on 08/04/2008 2:30:27 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Sub-Driver
"Government bans the word 'obese' to describe overweight children, but pork chop is still OK. "
38 posted on 08/04/2008 3:21:40 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
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To: Sub-Driver

bump


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)
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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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