First of all, let’s define Obesity

An individual’s weight increases to the extent that it seriously endangers their health.

Obesity is diagnosed when your Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 30. You can easily do this by logging onto http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

This is the essence of the problem we need to solve

1. 23% of British adults are obese.
2. 26% of British Children under 10 are overweight or obese.
3. These percentages are expected to increase.
4. We will be faced with more obese related health problems than our NHS can afford to cope with by 2015.
5. Already overweight or obese children cannot be expected to take weight loss advice from their overweight or obese Mums and Dads. Nor are these Mums and Dads setting an example to their children by preparing a healthy meal for them while they eat the fast fattening food their children have become accustomed to eating.
6. How do we get the message through to the 23% of adults, many of whom are parents that they need to take positive action about their weight immediately?
7. How do we encourage these obese parents who are taking positive action to also enforce this exercise on any of their obese children?
8. How do we get this same message through to overweight or obese over 50’s?

Points 6, 7, and 8 are as far as we should initially go despite being aware of 10’s of thousands of others out there who also need to be told that they’re slowly killing themselves.

This is a huge problem that will not be solved in one fell swoop so we must first concentrate on those most at risk whose weight related illnesses will cost the Tax Payer the most money.

Are we agreed that parents of young children, children themselves and over 50’s are the 3 categories most likely to cost the Tax Payer most?

Why?

1. If parents are obese they’re unlikely to have the energy required to look after a young child, even worse if they take ill or become too obese to cope, will the child or children need to go into care?
2. Many obese children cannot fully interact with other children so will loose self esteem and may even be bullied because of their size.
3. Overweight or obese over 50’s may find it difficult to loose weight without support.

Possible and easily achievable Solutions

1. Every mother and father of young children will be asked to attend their GP for an MOT to include blood tests and bring any of their children under age 10 with them. GP’s will receive funding for this.
2. Concentrating first on the obese Mums, Dads and under 10 children the family will be strongly advised to immediately adopt a more healthy lifestyle and given a list of everyday quick meals and fast foods to avoid.
3. They’ll also be given a recommended and affordable healthy eating plan – not an enforced diet.
4. Finally they’ll be invited back 1 month later for a further checkup.
5. Exactly the same process will take place for all over 50’s.

We don’t live in a Police State

For this reason no obese parent or child can be forced to attend or adhere to any healthy eating plan.

Although what I’m about to suggest goes against everything I believe in, it may ultimately be necessary to charge any parent who fails to attend their GP for treatment in respect of any health problems that beset their family as a direct result of obesity.

The NHS can’t afford an obesity epidemic, nor can the British Taxpayer so somebody has to pay!

This is just a first step that I’m certain many of you will be more capable or qualified to expand on.

I’ve concentrated only on the cost to Tax Payers because that’s how the Department of Health thinks.

Frighten the hell out of obese people!

Finally a List of Health Risks related with obesity should be posted on Bill Boards everywhere, published in newspapers and every place of employment and include:

Sleep apnea – Type 2 Diabetes – Stroke – Cancer – Gallbladder disease – Respiratory problems – High cholesterol – High blood pressure – Coronary heart disease – Degeneration of bones and cartilage.

Six of these can KILL!

This is one TV Campaign I’d truly love to write myself.

I should in all honesty add that I’m obese having recently lost 47 lbs in 12 weeks with only 56 lbs more to loose to reach my ideal weight of 17 stone (238 lbs). I won’t ever be overweight again!