What can we do about the obesity epidemic?

[AngryOldDem]

38. But I see this happening, eventually....

I posted in another thread yesterday that my employer has now offered a break on health insurance if people 1) take an online questionnaire about their health and health habits; 2) get a biometric screening; and 3) sign up to commit to walking at least 20,000 steps a month (counted with a pedometer, which is provided and free). Right now this is all being marketed with an upbeat, exercise-and-losing-weight-can-be-fun attitude. Teams have been formed and exercise events have started to make this more attractive.

But I think sooner rather than later all this will change into a more draconian policy of lose the weight or lose the job. This is already the possible outcome for employees who signed a smoking cessation pledge. There are far, far too many obese and morbidly obese people where I work and this has to be costing the employer big time -- more than what it is wiling to pay.

Employers will next target obesity, as much as they did smoking.

That said, the same people who sign up for this program also go down to the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch everyday, and are treated to a menu full of fried foods with generous portions, which can be supersized if desired. Outside of the salad bar, I see very little healthy eating options here.