I disagree there has ever been censorship in GD or anywhere else on DU about weight.

[Mike 03]

I cannot even begin to count the number of threads, scientific discussions, or disputes on this topic.

I have no objections whatsoever to discussing this issue. I have loved ones who are overweight, and I try to be very fair and honest when arguing on this topic, as I am sure others here do as well.

[Ozymanithrax]

1. Perhaps we need a weight dungeon...

a place where threads on weight loss and weight problems can be treated in a weighty manner.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I don't know that anyone has been accused of censorship

in regard to weight. Just being accused of being nasty bullies.

[EstimatedProphet]

3. You don't go back far enough to remember the fat threads in the Lounge ~2005

[CreekDog]

4. I didn't say there's been censorship...

I said that some people act like asses when an opportunity to discuss someone's weight presents itself.

[OmahaBlueDog]

5. The fact is that if we are going to have the government involved in health care, it's fair game

I'm overweight. I have gained and lost the same 40 lbs more time than I can count. At some point (and I suspect that that point will come sooner or later) that privilege is going to cost me more money. Statistics say that, if I don't lose weight, the best outcome for the insurance companies is that I drop dead from a stroke or heart attack. At least that's cheap. More likely, I will need surgery ranging from knee replacement on up through multiple bypass. Five to six figure procedures with expensive aftercare. Or, I will develop diabetes and need constant maintenance. Again, expensive.

If the government is going to mandate coverage, in some way, shape, or form, they will have to subsidize the "market of last resort (i.e. the market for those with pre-existing conditions)." To do that, it is far easier to financially penalize those of us who are fond of pizza and beer rather than place the burden on already-angry taxpayers.

So, IMO, it's a fair issue to debate here. It is political, whether we like it or not.

[nickinSTL]

7. and what about those of us

who aren't fond of pizza and beer, and are still overweight?

I'm at the upper end of overweight by BMI, and I eat about as healthy as I can afford.

I'm not eating organic, but I eat whole grains and vegetables almost exclusively.

And yet, I'm overweight.

If they decide to brand all overweight people as high risk, what does someone like me do?

[OmahaBlueDog]

8. Here is my guess on how it will be handled

Step 1 will likely be management through education. Your rates will be jacked up to "$X", but you can get a big discount of if you participate in an effort to manage the problem. You'll do things like meet with a dietician, and then attend a series of educational programs and guided exercise sessions. Think "Weight Watchers" meets "Curves". If you don't attend, you lose your discount. If you do attend, and it works, you'll keep attending until you hit your target weight. Otherwise.....

Step 2 will likely be step 1 plus some kind of pharmacological intervention (think "Alli" - hopefully, don't think "Meredia"). If you don't attend & take the meds, you lose your discount. If you do attend & take the meds, and it works, you'll keep attending & medicating until you hit your target weight. Otherwise.....

Step 3 will likely be gastric banding or gastric bypass, and Step 1. You don't want surgery? You lose your discount. If that doesn't work, you'll likely keep your discount, but end up in classes (see step 1) for the rest of time.

It's a more intrusive variation of what private insurers do now with regard to diabetes and asthma. Bottom line, both the insurance industry and government are going to have a vested interest in keeping your BMI in the green or yellow areas of the chart.

[Ozymanithrax]

6. There should be a ruling that saying being fat is caused by lack of self control...

is derogatory to overweight people like me. That falls under a blanket attack, but it is still one of the most commonly held myths about overweight people, that they just lack self control.