Your Turn: Do you agree with the 'Obesity Fee?'
Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.
Maggie recently told us about a new fee that Alabama State employees can expect to see in 2010: An obesity fee. That's right, state workers with a BMI of 35 and over will be expected to fork over and extra $25 a month for medical insurance. This comes after a policy that has smokers forking over extra money for medical insurance as well.
On one hand, such a policy reduces costs for those who practice healthy habits and it could reduce obesity rates in the long run. But on the other hand, isn't it a human rights violation to have to disclose your weight to your employer and pay more if they think you're too heavy?
Maggie recently told us about a new fee that Alabama State employees can expect to see in 2010: An obesity fee. That's right, state workers with a BMI of 35 and over will be expected to fork over and extra $25 a month for medical insurance. This comes after a policy that has smokers forking over extra money for medical insurance as well.
On one hand, such a policy reduces costs for those who practice healthy habits and it could reduce obesity rates in the long run. But on the other hand, isn't it a human rights violation to have to disclose your weight to your employer and pay more if they think you're too heavy?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-28-2008 @ 6:40AM
NRJiiD said...
As a formerly obese person I have to disagree/agree conditionally. Obesity is about body chemistry. Not any character flaw. Yes, lifestyle contributes to obesity but it is NOT the cause. Since struggling with my weight from high school to my mid-thirties and paying countless drs. and nutritionists to help me lose weight and failing each time from their high carb/low fat healthy heart diets - I read about the affect of carbohydrates on blood sugar. Pre-diabetes. Insulin resistance. Call it whatever you choose. It's body chemistry that affects the metabolism and weight gain. I applied an eating style to my life that controls my blood sugar and lost 200 pounds and have kept it off over 5 years. I'm now a certified personal trainer/group fitness instructor with a cardiac-rehab medical facility. If obese individuals are going to be held medically accountable for being obese - then the insurance companies and physicians need to be held accountable to assure the same people are equipped with the NECESSARY information to determine why they are obese and how to work with each individual metabolism. It works both ways.
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