[bmir-alum-007]

Sadly, I think the only way for most Americans to maintain a healthy lifestyle would require significant, paternalistic education and intervention. One idea others have proposed would be clearly-and-emphatically warn of future denial of certain healthcare expenses and conditions for people that fail to achieve and maintain reasonable goals to curtail high-risk lifestyle choices, i.e., smoking, poor diet. The key is conditions which arise even with good lifestyle habits should have priority over people that don't take care of themselves and expect everyone else to clean up their mess.

(I'd be first in line because I could lose 20 lbs (9 kg).)

[bbcbasic]

> One idea others have proposed would be clearly-and-emphatically warn of future denial of certain healthcare expenses

A uncertain punishment in the distant future doesn't motivate anyone to do anything. That is human nature. Charging per kilo for airline tickets though may be a motivator though, because by losing weight you immediately save money.

[gfsn54nsf]

What really counts is happiness over time, with things like time dealing with diabetic loved ones factored in. Did anyone measure that one? At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how fat you are if you had a good time and it didn't cost too much.

[sp332]

Obesity is linked with poverty in the USA. "Counties with poverty rates of >35% have obesity rates 145% greater than wealthy counties." It's not all about lifestyle choices. http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/60/11/2667.full

[asquabventured]

That's the most totalitarian/fascist thing I've read all day, congratulations I suppose.

"Paternal education" has been seen before on a horrifying worldwide scale, for the most recently famous examples we have Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, The Kim's, etc.

Really now, that's how you think we should fix the problem of unhealthy Americans?