I think a lot of anti-obesity programs aren’t that effective on most people; they either fat shame by showing pictures of obese kids (which is sort of just depressing for those kids, not encouraging) or tell you all the negative things about obesity that you already know. Los Angeles has just come out with the “Choose Less, Weigh Less” plan which offers an incredibly simple solution to many (though not all, o’course) people’s weight problems!
The “Choose Less, Weigh Less” campaign is in response to the widespread problem of portion control in the United States. Considering so many of our country’s popular restaurants serve meals with huge portions, as well as when people cook for themselves, we need to cut down and simply put a little less on our plates. The campaign will have billboards, radio spots, bus ads and social media placement in order to reach as many residents as possible. [via BlissTree]
Los Angeles is one of the most car-heavy places. While I lived there, I rarely walked anywhere unless it was less than a mile away. Even then, I was in the minority, as most residents do not ride their bikes due to poor bike lane planning. Riding public transportation or driving is much easier (especially since everything is so spread apart), so I can see why weight loss is so important in that area. Apparently, 24% of residents are obese, which is up 74% since 1997. In just fifteen years, things have changed dramatically, which translates to the city needing a different plan to get health up and size down.
I think this is an excellent idea! Instead of getting people to feel upset at themselves, which typically doesn’t have any effect besides encouraging shame and bullying, it’s a proactive way to show people that weight loss is possible. Those anti-obesity ads showing heavy people from the neck down holding food (often in weirdly muted colors) just make (A) overweight people feel horrible (B) non-overweight people feel afraid of weight gain or simply alienated by the message.
Therefore, I think these ads are a great concept. Even if you still eat the same bacon, pancakes, eggs, fried chicken or whatever you like, as long as you reduce the portions, those foods will have a significantly smaller impact on your waistline. Plus, it speaks to people who are not obese, as well: we all could benefit from making smart decisions with portions, whether it’s due to sugar, sodium, fat or any other content. It’s refreshingly different!
Lovelies, what do you think about L.A. County’s new obesity plan?
guest
I like the overall concept, but I’m sure most people, like me, will not care much once you sit down and order. I have to practice a lot of self control to not eat the whole portion (or at least a majority of it). For me, the best way to exercise portion control is to not eat out as often, or ask for a to-go container right away when the meal is served to save 1/2 of it for another meal later. And you’re right, it is not really bicyclist-friendly in Los Angeles. Most people I know would rather take the bus or drive, even if it is only a short distance away. The (vehicle) drivers are often very aggressive. Even though the the streets aren’t marked for bicycles, both drivers and bicyclists should be able to share the road.
guest
Or we could just let people live their lives the way they see fit, regardless of how unhealthy their lifestyle choices are. It’s called personal responsibility, people. Government agencies have no business being nannies.
This is just more liberal bullshit stockpiled on all the existing liberal bullshit.
guest
I don’t think much of it, considering that almost all of the foods up there are highly inflammatory, regardless of portion sizes. Plus, calories in/calories out tells only a fraction of the story about weight, and weight tells only a fraction of the story about health. Buuuut I guess government agencies have to spout what their lords and masters, lobbyists, tell them to.
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - True that.
guest
It was a brilliant waste of tax payers money. Now people will stop eating for 3 for sure. I mean it’s not like the calorie content of food is not already on menus.
guest
I think it’s a good idea. Maybe it won’t make any difference, but it is a better approach than shaming or isolating overweight people. It’s also an extremely simple concept, so maybe people will take to the idea a little more since it’s an easy to understand idea.
magnolia / 1028 posts
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - @WaitingToShrug@xanga - Cool. Let’s support the rise in obesity and diabetes!!
magnolia / 1028 posts
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - Lol… I guess to each their own.
guest
@pick_my_friggin_nose@xanga - Absolutely. And if their poor choices lead them to have health problems, make them pre-pay for their healthcare or they don’t get it and they get left out to suffer and die. Just means less stupid people on the face of this planet.
Sounds perfectly fair to me. They can make their own lifestyle choices but the nobody has to pay for their choices but themselves. That’s the most fair thing I can think of.
guest
@pick_my_friggin_nose@xanga - Well, ultimately, the only person you are responsible for looking out for is yourself, and same with everybody else. You are not responsible for looking after anyone else, and neither is the government, and you need to get out of their business and just worry about your own damn self.
What others do with their own lives doesn’t matter to me in the least, so long as they’re not infringing upon my right to do what I please or anyone else’s. Someone else being obese isn’t infringing on your right to be a fitness junkie, so I don’t see why it’s such a big damn deal to you.
(By the way, this coming from a raw vegan who runs at least 60 miles per week, rollerblades about 20 miles per week, does strength training 4x per week, and is a non-touring professional bowler. Yeah, I’m active, healthy, and physically fit.)
guest
@pick_my_friggin_nose@xanga - Or, like any reasonable person would conclude, let’s NOT, and let each person pay for their own health insurance. That way we can all stay out of each other’s business, yes?
magnolia / 1028 posts
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - No need to get testy.. But kudos to you for being a hardcore vegan/fitness junkie.
@WaitingToShrug@xanga - yeaaaah, I’m not even gonna try with you. So I’ll just go back to listening to rap music and be an “ignorant hoodlum.”
guest
@pick_my_friggin_nose@xanga - Getting testy is what I do, even with my closest friends. Don’t feel special.
guest
I think it’s great that LA is trying something that breaks away from the typical “fat person” ads.
For those people saying it’s not anyone’s business but an individuals, I’d like to remind people that morbidly obese people typically have more health issues than people with a lower BMI (not that I think BMI is particularly accurate, but I digress), and these people tend to get disability or other government aid programs that use our tax dollars.
Now, I’m not against people getting help from the government because the government’s true job is to protect and help the population, but I think it’s important that we address disabilities and health issues that run rampant in our population that can be fixed or prevented in order to help our people be happier and healthier.
Lots of people think eating and being “healthy” means expensive diets and exercise machines, and I think it’s nice to help people by showing that being healthier can start with something as small as portion sizes and buying bulk fruits and veggies (which tend to be fairly cheap) as snacks. Making these changes alone, depending on the diet and lifestyle of the person in question, can help someone lose 15-40 lbs a YEAR.
guest
holy shit that salad is 600 calories?!?!?! fucking a… mine never exceed 200. that’s just ridiculous.
xoxo K
guest
Dear individuals who monopolize taxpayer monies, a.k.a. Government: Get your greasy hands out of my wallet, and your humongous nose out of my fucking business.
@WaitingToShrug@xanga - Stop making so much sense. It’s hurting my brain!!!!
guest
@Mangonese@xanga - I think that people like yourself who would like to contribute to said campaigns should do it. That’s awesome that you care.
But I don’t think people like myself who if given the choice would choose not to should be forced to. I also don’t think people who are unhealthy because of irresponsibility should be subsidized by taxpayer money.
sunflower / 448 posts
@secretbeerreporter@xanga - Word.
guest
Oh my god.. are you telling me the secret to losing weight is as simple as portion control??? Holy crap.. I never knew. Thank god these people are showing us the way!
Sorry for the sarcasm, but this doesn’t matter. People are fat because they take the lazy way around everything; eating, exercising, whatever. You can waste your money on ad after ad but until they make the decision to help themselves, this won’t work. This will only inspire the people already working toward a healthy goal.. & obviously they’re not the target audience here. & while I’m against having to pay for these habits through taxes, at least it will help with the over-population problem.
guest
i do get the concept of having small portion sizes –> losing weight
but i always feel like I’m not gonna be full :S
guest
I think this is a great idea, although it most definitely is common sense.