Posted on 05/09/2012 2:21:57 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
NBC: Obesity 'No Longer A Question of Individual Responsibility,' Government Must Act By Kyle Drennen Created 05/09/2012 - 4:30pm
Touting new recommendations from an Institute of Medicine panel on obesity on Tuesday's NBC Nightly News, science correspondent Robert Bazell proclaimed to viewers: "...a sea change in how we perceive obesity. No longer a question of individual responsibility, but a need to change what's called an 'obesity-promoting environment.' Calling on corporations, government and individuals to act."
At the top of the broadcast, anchor Brian Williams sounded the alarm: "Weight of the nation. An American health crisis out of control, and tonight a reality check on what it might take to turn things around." Later teasing the upcoming story, he declared: "Getting past the question of will power, what's really to blame for a nation of exploding waistlines? Tonight, there is a surprising new answer."
In his report, Bazell proceeded to detail the dictates of the health panel: "...requiring at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity in schools. Public and workplace policies that encourage people of all ages to exercise more. Industry-wide guidelines on marketing food to children, including healthier choices for kids in restaurants and having healthy food available at all public events."
Bazell further pushed the findings: "With the cost of treating obesity-related illnesses approaching $200 billion a year, many on the panel say the nation is ready to act." The panel's vice chair, Dr. M.R.C. Greenwood implored: "It takes a lot of leadership. We need our mayors to step up to the plate, we need our school superintendents to step up to the plate."
Concluding the segment, Bazell lamented the public practicing "bad habits...in an environment that encourages them."
Only NBC saw fit to hype the panel's big government proposals on Tuesday. Neither ABC's World News nor the CBS Evening News reported on the topic.
Here is a full transcript of the May 8 Nightly News segment:
7:00PM ET TEASE:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Weight of the nation. An American health crisis out of control, and tonight a reality check on what it might take to turn things around.
7:12PM ET TEASE:
WILLIAMS: And up next, the weight of the nation. Getting past the question of will power, what's really to blame for a nation of exploding waistlines? Tonight, there is a surprising new answer.
7:14PM ET SEGMENT:
WILLIAMS: Back now with our reporting on what's being called the weight of the nation. Last night we told you about a stunning prediction that by the year 2030, health experts are telling us 42% of Americans will be obese. Today at a conference in Washington, some sweeping strategies for fighting this epidemic. We get more from our chief science correspondent Robert Bazell.
ROBERT BAZELL: Dr. Robin Goland is on the front lines of the obesity epidemic. And sees its consequences every day.
ROBIN GOLAND [COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER]: Our pediatricians are seeing obese 2-year-olds and 4-year-olds, we have 5-year-olds with impaired glucose tolerance. We have 8-year-olds with Type II diabetes. This is a catastrophe.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Most of you are familiar with the shocking statistics.
BAZELL: Today's recommendations from the prestigious Institute of Medicine, signal a sea change in how we perceive obesity. No longer a question of individual responsibility, but a need to change what's called an "obesity-promoting environment." Calling on corporations, government and individuals to act.
Among the panel's recommendations, requiring at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity in schools. Public and workplace policies that encourage people of all ages to exercise more. Industry-wide guidelines on marketing food to children, including healthier choices for kids in restaurants and having healthy food available at all public events.
With the cost of treating obesity-related illnesses approaching $200 billion a year, many on the panel say the nation is ready to act.
M.R.C. GREENWOOD [OBESITY PANEL VICE CHAIR]: It takes a lot of leadership. We need our mayors to step up to the plate, we need our school superintendents to step up to the plate.
BAZELL: With two thirds of Americans overweight and one third obese, the problem has become so critical that it's affecting almost every aspect of our daily lives. There are even worries that airplane seat belts can't protect the many heavy passengers.
JANEY PRATT [MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL]: We skip meals, we eat too quickly. We eat foods that are high in sugars and carbohydrates, in fats. And we eat more of them.
BAZELL: Bad habits, the panel said, in an environment that encourages them. Robert Bazell, NBC News, New York.
How many people read FR whilst jogging?
Point made.
The smokers told us this was coming.
So, they want Uncle Sam to start forcibly starving fat people now?
>> There are even worries that airplane seat belts can’t protect the many heavy passengers.
I’m so glad I don’t fly anywhere anymore. I’d hate to be in a plane crash at 400 mph and get hit by a flying fat person!
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But don’t worry. It’s not a dictatorship because you won’t actually be shot or shipped to camp for noncompliance. Just fined by the IRS. So it’s OK!
“You have exceeded the weight paramaters for your classification”
“You will be transfered to Fema Fat Farm 206Z for training and re-education.”
is this not one of the most frightening things you ever heard?
Problem solved if people had individual reponsibility via their insurance premiums for PROVEN health profile risks.
No government intervention could then be justified.
The problem with any government “direction” regarding obesity is that they are too heavily influenced by lobbyists from the food industry and are ignorant to the real reasons why obesity is becomming an epidemic.
As someone who has lost over 100 lbs, I have a lot of personal experience to draw from on this topic. The food in our grocery stores is killing us. All government intervention, up to this point, has thrust more horrid products upon us and ignores well established science all in the name of garnering incresed contributions from the large agri-businesses. Screw them all!
>>So, they want Uncle Sam to start forcibly starving fat people now?
No, they want to starve everyone, but they’re afraid that the fat people will still have enough energy reserves to fight once we realize what’s happening.
This government is not a political opponent or bad idea...it is our mortal enemy.
Well, they can start with limiting the EBT cards — I stood in line at a liquor store last night behind a woman with Haagen DaZ, sodas and chips who announced to the clerk “take it out of my EBT card.”
Solution: Make it so the EBT cards won’t work for junk food.
When I was working at the grocery store I got to where I could tell who was paying with EBT before they even got to my register. They were the ones with arrogant expressions, the carts full of chips, cheetos, soda, beer, and frozen pizza bites, and their kids ranging out of control.
Only once did I see someone use an EBT card for healthy food. Her kids were polite and well behaved, and when she handed me the card she looked ashamed of it. I’ve often wondered what happened to her. I would bet that she didn’t stay on food stamps long.
What about people who are skinny and can’t gain weight? Should the government step in on that too. Make everyone sort of standard weight?
Get ready for the full court press on what you eat. It will be called the "fat tax".
just more election distraction
My doctors clearly haven’t gotten the memo...they keep saying that *I* could stand to lose a few pounds,that *I* should modify my eating habits,that *I* should get more exercise.And all this time it was the *government’s* responsibility.
I’d sooner have the old presidental physical fitness programs of the sixties back, than this food nannydom.
Offer discounts on health insurance to people who walk, say, four miles a week and keep some sort of reasonable documentation of it. That would be more sensible.
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