The Anonymous Widower

Obesity

A report today says that we must take action to prevent obesity.

The government is just dithering, as it doesn’t want to lose votes.

I am only a bantamweight and I like to think that over the years, I’ve kept myself fit. Even after my stroke, I still exercise appropriately and have started to play real tennis again. I’m the same size as when I left University and got married in 1968.  I also wear the same made-to-measure morning suit that I had made in about 1975.

My weight and core strength are just two of the factors that helped me survive the stroke.  The most important one was that in Hong Kong, I was put on a clot-busting drip within an hour of the stroke.  That now happens in many parts of the UK.

So instead of dithering the government must take drastic action to cut obesity.

Taxes on junk food, alcohol,tobacco and other unhealthy foods must be raised severely.

In addition, I would inspect all food shops, cafes and restaurants.  Those that had a too sold a too high proportion of unhealthy foods and drinks, would have to reduce that level or close.

I would also introduce a yearly medical for everybody. If you are outside of certain parameters, then your driving licence would be suspended until you had reformed.

In an ideal world tobacco would be banned, but why not make sure it is only available from specially licenced government-owned shops, as alcohol is in Norway? Remember, I believe that my youngest son died partly because of his smoking.  Are smokers selfish enough to wish all of that grief on others, by continuing with their vile habit? Every time I pass an  obese smoker partly blocking the street, I make an appropriate rude remark. One day someone will try and hit me, but even in my state, I still feel I could outrun most of my targets.

Much of this post has just been read out on BBC Breakfast. I bet that lost them a few viewers.

But if we don’t take action, more and more of our taxes will go to subsidise those who abuse their bodies.

August 26, 2011 - Posted by AnonW | Health, News | Obesity, Smoking, Stroke