Monday, November 2, 2009

Drop and Give Me 20!

Today the news is rampant with reports regarding the National Health Insurance Debate. Mandatory health care for all is the mantra of the day – at least on the democratic side of the debate. I think as part of that “mandatory” health care coverage there should be some “mandatory” stipulations, like in order to access this health insurance if you’re obese you should be required to enroll in a weight reduction program. And I’m not talking about Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or Nutrisystems – I’m talking about going to a good old fashion Fat Farm. As a person who has had her own struggles with weight over the years, I don’t feel that I’m indulging in Fat-profiling, being prejudice against the wide-loads, or am a Fatist by suggesting this.

Over and over again we hear about the rising health care costs in this country, and at the top of the list as the main culprits for this ever increasing cost is the treatment of heart disease, followed closely by diabetes – two conditions that are intricately linked to obesity. I would bet that if we rounded up all the fat people (myself included) and shipped them off to a Fat Farm for however many days it took to get their weight under control (and required them to return if they put back on any poundage), while covering their expenses (mortgage payment, food, bills, etc.) for the duration of time they were there, we would still be spending far less then we do now as a nation on health care costs. And hey, such a plan, while putting some of the “diet” gurus out of business, would create all kinds of jobs for nutritionists, cooks, trainers, hospitality jobs, etc. which would help jumpstart the economy. It’s a win-win: healthier population, more jobs, and I might not have to stand on the bus.

Everyday I ride the bus and out of the 40 or so fellow riders, I estimate that about 70% of them are overweight – and 8, or 20%, are morbidly obese – meaning they take up two seats which sometimes means some of us have to stand. How ridiculous! When I’m sitting reading my book or faux snoozing so I don’t have to talk to the resident Chatty Cathy, I might periodically glance at one of the aforementioned fatty’s and feel kind of sorry for them that they’ve let themselves go and got to this very unflattering and extremely unhealthy place in their lives. But when I’m standing, being jostled to and fro as the bus careens down the freeway and my knees are aching from the weight of my own 15 extra pounds of blubber, I have little mercy for them as they ooze over the two seats their mammoth girths occupy. And not one of them at anytime has even attempted to apologize or even recognize that because of their selfish decision to do as they please and not take any responsibility for their current weighty circumstances, that some of us have to suffer, be uncomfortable, and, in addition, risk being thrown through the front window of the bus if the need arises to slam on the breaks to avoid the asshole rush hour drivers – which happens every day!

My doctor says the magic cure for weight loss is eat less and move more. Doesn’t require any special equipment, medications, experts, or insurance, and yet most of us aren’t willing to do either. As a tax payer, I’m required to pay taxes for educating our young, caring for the elderly, maintaining infrastructure and keeping people employed (like tax preparers and the IRS). I’m not really a willing participant in supporting some of these programs, but as a citizen these are not elective but are mandatory. If I want to live in this country, then I need to pony up and share the burden. Well, regarding national health insurance, some of that “burden” is directly attributable to the fatty’s. I’m not saying all of it, or even half, but come on, a huge (no pun intended) portion of our health care costs are to treat conditions that are directly related to our lifestyles and eating habits.

I say if everyone who’s overweight were required to attend Fatty Boot Camp and was forced to get up off their asses and exercise, and were limited only to healthy food choices, then we would not only be a trimmer, healthier, more fit society, but I would probably never have to stand on the bus again.