Will it be illegal to feed the obese?

[turbotim]

If caught feeding them, the Health Department can take their permit.

House Bill No. 282, which was introduced this month, says: Any food establishment to which this section applies shall not be allowed to serve food to any person who is obese, based on criteria prescribed by the State Department of Health after consultation with the Mississippi Council on Obesity Prevention and Management established under Section 41-101-1 or its successor. The State Department of Health shall prepare written materials that describe and explain the criteria for determining whether a person is obese, and shall provide those materials to all food establishments to which this section applies. A food establishment shall be entitled to rely on the criteria for obesity in those written materials when determining whether or not it is allowed to serve food to any person.

Very interesting. I wonder what their written materials is going to say.

Also there are some other bans or laws that are being looked at or has already passed on the site...

Earlier:
• N.Y. town weighs ban on Silly String
• A ban on iPods while crossing?
• Mayor of Fla. city wants to ban Chinese products
• Can Dallas ban saggy pants?
• Schools ban suggestive moves known as 'freak dancing' or 'grinding
• Dutch government to ban the burqa
• Babies are getting fatter, too

[Alan]

I guess this means I won't be able to go eat out in Mississippi if this gets passed....

[JanB]

Well.....there goes our "fat back" seasoned food.

[Full Quiver]

Even obese people need to eat sometime. Politicians are stupid.

[TW]

Like it or not, this is just the same as the bans on smoking. Now don't start with the "being fat doesn't effect other people argument," because it does. Obesity is as much a public health problem as smoking, the difference is that "it" is still socially acceptable.


TW

[Martha]

If the government is bound and determined to create even more laws, then it seems to me that the resturants should be required to serve only healthy food instead of the fat laden garbage they now serve. They should go after the food industry giants and make it illegal to put all the extra things in our food that are not necessary. Stuff like high fructose corn syrup and other additives that are truly bad for us. I don't think the resturant employees should have to make such a determination. They don't get paid enough for that kind of responsibility.

[Full Quiver]

Of course TW, last time i was around an obese person I gained 5 lbs.

[n2jesus]

The thing is, you don't have to smoke at all ever, but you do have to eat something to live...Two completely different problems to me...

[Full Quiver]

Here's the deal with smoking bans. First of all states have the right to enact such bans. Secondly, second hand smoke infringes on the rights of non smokers. Till smokers can prevent that they should be banned from smoking in public areas.

[Mole_J]

Like it or not, this is just the same as the bans on smoking. Now don't start with the "being fat doesn't effect other people argument," because it does. Obesity is as much a public health problem as smoking, the difference is that "it" is still socially acceptable.


TW

I agree with TW. There have already been efforts to get the price raised of food that is unhealthy to eat. I think fast food and junk food will be tomorrow's "cigarettes".

[TW]

I did not say that smoking was not a public health issue, I said that obesity was just as much a public health issue. To wit:

Obesity is a substantial public-health crisis in the United States and in the rest of the developed world. The prevalence is increasing rapidly in numerous developing nations worldwide. This growing rate represents a pandemic that needs urgent attention if its potential morbidity, mortality, and economic tolls are to be avoided.
The annual cost of managing obesity in the United States alone amounts to approximately $100 billion, of which approximately $52 billion are direct costs of healthcare. These costs amount to approximately 5.7% of all US health expenditure. The cost of lost productivity due to obesity is approximately $3.9 billion, and another $33 billion is spent annually on weight-loss products and services.
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1653.htm

TW

[Full Quiver]

You also said.....

Now don't start with the "being fat doesn't effect other people argument," because it does

We are all very much aware that obesity is a problem. What we are not aware of is how it is likened to smoking in the sense that it effects other people. Please enlighten us.

[cndlou]

My question would have to be... What will the government consider "obese"??? I have been dieting for 5+ years and have lost 80+ lbs and according to my doctor and my blood work...I am at a healthy weight now according to the build of my body... But according to all the "what's healthy" stuff... I am still about 45 to 50 lbs overweight... I think a law like that would only make diseases like anorixa and bulimia more popular than they are now....

[one love]

Our generation is going to be the generation with the most heart problems because of fast food, Im guilty. It just seems easier when on the move. Me and Danielle are trying to get salads when traveling or on the road so it is not so bad.


Now I have to really show some concern with the thought i am hearing. Some people have disorders and problems whether with matabilism(spelling?) or thyroid and many other things that put weight on some quicker then others. They can eat less and gain more.
I have never been around a heavy person and been effected in a bad way, the weight didnt just jump off of me and bam I was 20 pounds heavier. It is a problem and many do over eat and need help, this problem related to health is very bad. But if I am in a room with smokers you have second hand smoke, not to mention I get a instant head ache, they effect me personally. Then I go off smelling like an ash trey. In my area you can not smoke in the public such as gas stations etc. When I visit N.C. I get an instant head ache and stink when I get gas in some places because the person behind the counter is smoking while ringing me up

[Full Quiver]

Again I gained 5lbs last time I was around a fat person which happened to be earlier when i looked in the mirror.