That photo makes me feel almost physically ill. Encountering this sort of thing almost daily is one of the torments of modern life! I largely agree with your arguments - there is absolutely no reason why 'poor' people need to be obese; it's simply a reflection of (a) their incredible ignorance about food and proper cooking, (b) a popular 'culture' based on lowest common denominator consumerism and an assumed right to instant self-gratification and (c) the attitude that 'someone else' (the state) will take responsibility for their own stupid actions. The only thing I would say in their defence is that, at least since New Labour, there has been an 'anti-elitist' tendency in the ruling establishment which has actively encouraged a 'race to the bottom'. The one thing I strongly disagree with, though, is your denial that widespread obesity is a problem. Obviously it puts an enormous strain on the health service (for example, a few years ago it was announced that larger and much more expensive ambulances were required because of the grotesque weight of so many people they needed to transport - this will clearly affect many other aspects of the NHS. It could be solved by charging over-weight people at the point of service, but obviously this won't happen as it would be 'against their human rights' or something.) Also, though, in my opinion it is a problem because it is frankly disgusting and upsetting to that part of the population that retains some degree of self-respect, and undoubtedly affects our mental well-being - I would say in the same way that air pollution, noise pollution, etc. does. I don't enjoy being confronted by self-inflicted wrecks of humanity all the time, any more than I do by rowdy drunks, aggressive beggars, deafening motorbiles, and so on. I totally agree with the principle of individual liberty, but with it should come individual responsibilty, and irresponsible behaviour should have consequences.
I think obesity probably is bad in most cases, though, not in and of it itself. I think they are aware of proper cooking, boiling peas is very easy; I just think they can't be bothered to do it.
As long as people are being bombarded with advertisements showing bad food choices as desirable, it's going to be hard to persuade them otherwise.
Lack of inclusion in most school curriculae of any practical instruction in choosing, preserving or cooking of natural ingredients is a pity.
Finding fruit and vegetables which are not potential carriers of toxic chemicals is becoming harder and organic products tend to be very pricey.
The proliferation of fast food and grocery deliveries direct to homes also makes for potential obesity.
When poor families had allotments, more children grew up on decent diets. The advent of frozen ready meals may have had an adverse effect on diet in at least two ways: Pre-cooked food which is then reheated may lose so much of its nutrient value that eating the packaging could provide a better outcome...
Prices are rising fast and choices appear to be shrinking.
Obesity means that the pump designed for a slim body, the heart, is obliged to work every faster and harder.
That photo makes me feel almost physically ill. Encountering this sort of thing almost daily is one of the torments of modern life! I largely agree with your arguments - there is absolutely no reason why 'poor' people need to be obese; it's simply a reflection of (a) their incredible ignorance about food and proper cooking, (b) a popular 'culture' based on lowest common denominator consumerism and an assumed right to instant self-gratification and (c) the attitude that 'someone else' (the state) will take responsibility for their own stupid actions. The only thing I would say in their defence is that, at least since New Labour, there has been an 'anti-elitist' tendency in the ruling establishment which has actively encouraged a 'race to the bottom'. The one thing I strongly disagree with, though, is your denial that widespread obesity is a problem. Obviously it puts an enormous strain on the health service (for example, a few years ago it was announced that larger and much more expensive ambulances were required because of the grotesque weight of so many people they needed to transport - this will clearly affect many other aspects of the NHS. It could be solved by charging over-weight people at the point of service, but obviously this won't happen as it would be 'against their human rights' or something.) Also, though, in my opinion it is a problem because it is frankly disgusting and upsetting to that part of the population that retains some degree of self-respect, and undoubtedly affects our mental well-being - I would say in the same way that air pollution, noise pollution, etc. does. I don't enjoy being confronted by self-inflicted wrecks of humanity all the time, any more than I do by rowdy drunks, aggressive beggars, deafening motorbiles, and so on. I totally agree with the principle of individual liberty, but with it should come individual responsibilty, and irresponsible behaviour should have consequences.
I think obesity probably is bad in most cases, though, not in and of it itself. I think they are aware of proper cooking, boiling peas is very easy; I just think they can't be bothered to do it.
As long as people are being bombarded with advertisements showing bad food choices as desirable, it's going to be hard to persuade them otherwise.
Lack of inclusion in most school curriculae of any practical instruction in choosing, preserving or cooking of natural ingredients is a pity.
Finding fruit and vegetables which are not potential carriers of toxic chemicals is becoming harder and organic products tend to be very pricey.
The proliferation of fast food and grocery deliveries direct to homes also makes for potential obesity.
When poor families had allotments, more children grew up on decent diets. The advent of frozen ready meals may have had an adverse effect on diet in at least two ways: Pre-cooked food which is then reheated may lose so much of its nutrient value that eating the packaging could provide a better outcome...
Prices are rising fast and choices appear to be shrinking.
Obesity means that the pump designed for a slim body, the heart, is obliged to work every faster and harder.