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Japan Imposes "Fine On Fat"
An anonymous reader writes "A recently-introduced law in Japan requires all businesses to have mandatory obesity checks (video link) for all their employees and employees' family members over the age of 40, CNN reports. If the employee or family member is deemed obese, and does not lose the extra fat soon, their employer faces large fines. The legislated upper limit for the waistline is 33.5" for men, and 35.5" for women. Should America adopt universal health insurance, could we live to see the same kind of individual health regulations imposed on us by the government? By comparison, the average waistline in America in 2005 was 39 inches for men, 37 inches for women."
When the average person has a "thyroid disorder", it's no longer a disorder. Perhaps we should say that humans (somehow, specifically industrialized nation-dwelling humans) have evolved into a heftier variety. Perhaps not, because then some smart-assed scientist will just come along and point out that fat asses are FAR more common than thyroid problems after all.
Seriously, I used to weigh about 340 lbs. (154 kg) and never ONCE did I blame it on my "thyroid", I was even OFFERED the excuse my some kind-hearted but misguided people. No, my fat ass was Doritos and Mountain Dew congealed on top of my pelvis, and I think if you stop and pay attention to what the fat people are eating in the restaurants (count ALL the courses, and both appetizers) they'll realized that if there's a thyroid problem then the thyroid MUST have something to do with picking stuff up and putting it in your mouth.
I know, I sound harsh, and it's not really pointed at you some people, (probably like your dad) really DO have an actual thyroid issue, but for the vast majority it's just a super-great word that relieves them of all responsibility of action, and makes the 3 Big Macs they just ate a moot point, as they would be fat anyways, right?
I'm not a health nut, in fact I still look kinda mushy naked, but it's 190 pounds of mushy, not 340, and all the difference in the world was food regulation. It's not like I eat great, I'm drinking a high-sugar soda right now (no corn syrup though, it's Jones) but I stop after 1 Big Mac, or after 2 (sometimes 3) pieces of pizza, not 3 Macs or a Large pizza to myself, like before.
In summary, thyroid issues can be a problem, but they are a very popular scapegoat as well.