Should obesity be outlawed?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoENZBc9q47q4wJAtn.WEh3Q7BR.?qid=20070312140413AASDozV

its not healthy either?

Answer 1

Outlawed? Heck no -- it's survival of the fittest, literally. If people want to eat themselves to death, let 'em.
Outlawing it wouldn't do any good anyway...you'd just start a huge illegal dessert network :)

Answer 2

Outlawed is an unfortunate word choice...for both yours and the original question. I do believe, however, that the existence of both tobacco and excessive access to addictive foods containing no nutritional value are severe health hazards to America. And as such, I do think that some governmental intervention would show true concern for the citizens and the general health of the country. I don't generally advocate government interfering with people's lives...but with 78% of America being overweight and a staggering incidence of childhood diabetes today, Americans should think about the future of the country. Life expectancy will drop dramatically, and the numbers of people fit to serve in the military will be unbelievably low within the next 20 years. So what then? Not a bad idea to look ahead a little, and take steps to make America healthy. Otherwise, the country is just a sitting duck, waiting for a fit and aggressive enemy to get its foot in the door.

Answer 3

The choice begin using tobacco is always a choice, though after continued use, it can be an addiction. Obesity can be caused by poor choices, but it can also be caused by medical conditions, often within the endocrine system. If one were to say that obesity should be outlawed, what would happen to people who suffer from endocrine disorders, or other medical conditions that can cause obesity?

Answer 4

NNOOOOO! That would be *mean* and *unconstitutional*.

And that was sarcasm ladies and gentlemen.

Yes it should. Obesity is laziness. Pure laziness.
Go ahead, type responses trashing me and my views, I don't care. Only obese people think obese people have glandular problems. Only obese people think obese people AREN'T lazy.
Guess what, it's not a gland problem, it's an ELBOW problem.

Eat 3 times a day plus a modest snack, and guess what, you wont be obese. How many Cambodians do you see with GLAND problems? Enough excuses. When a building is unsightly, it get refaced or torn down. People need to stop with the human rights BS and get off the fricken couch and mow the lawn or walk around the block.

Answer 5

I don't think the law has any business dictating who can and cannot be obese. However, I do think that like with car insurance where good behavior gives you more benefits, it would be ok for some services to likewise reward people who lean towards a more healthy lifestyle. Not a penalty to those who don't (they should get basic decent benefits), but just extra benefits if you are more healthy. Like perhaps offering nutrition classes and exercise classes and then providing a lower rate if a person is trying.

Answer 6

By that logic, definitely. Maybe not obesity, maybe just eating too much.

Of course outlawing either tobacco or obesity is absurd. The same can be said about any drug.

Answer 7

About twenty years ago, my brother refused to invite me to his *first* wedding, because he said I was too fat and would be an embarrassment.
He subsequently got a divorce and gained 120 pounds, which he has been unable to shed. He has high blood pressure and is heading toward diabetes.
I, on the other hand, invited him to all three of my weddings, regardless of his appearance, because he is my brother and I love him, even though he's a shallow a**hole.
I am 120 pounds over weight, but have perfect bloodpressure, perfect blood sugar and a thyroid disorder, for which I take medication. I also belong to a gym and I go three times a week and put my heart into my workout.
There are a lot of people who are morbidly obese who are doing all they can to correct their condition, without results. If you outlaw obesity, you should also outlaw other weight related disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulemia. How about outlawing smoking?That's bad for you - and everyone who hangs with you. Let's outlaw drinking again. That was fun while it lasted. I heard from my folks that plenty of people went blind from drinking bad moonshine.
Any time you try to control the personal behavior of other people, such as their eating, drinking and smoking habits, you're going to run into a lot of resistance.
Why don't you put that mirror up to your own self righteous face and work on your own issues?
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Answer 8

No, it's not the government's business. Obese people pay higher insurance premiums, more doctor bills, more hospital bills and more for lots of other things. Therefore, they are paying for their lifestyle whether we like it or not. The government should keep their noses out of our personal business.

Answer 9

Yes. I think cigarettes should be illegal. I also think all Twinkies, candy bars, fast food restaurants, etc. be outlawed. I also think Ugly should be outlawed. There should also be an ordinance that overweight people trying to fit into Size 6's get ticketed. I think rudeness should be against the law.

It's too bad some people don't get it!

Answer 10

Cheeky, but keep in mind, they are making transfat against the law in a lot of places. And I do wonder why people continue to smoke (especially around their children, and when a woman is pregnant).

One of my friends is expecting her first, and told her parents that they were not allowed to smoke around her while she was pregnant, and not allowed to smoke around her child ever...they disowned her. What a choice!