First off, I'm sorry but I don't have any sources. I'm basing this off what I heard on the news before.

The UK government is thinking about implementing a new regime. This isn't a far-into process, meaning it will be a while before it happens if it ever does. However, this "regime" is that public weighing of children under the age of 16/17 (in primary and high schools) shall take place, and anyone who is even so much as a couple of pounds overweight shall be forced to take place at a "fat camp". I don't think it will be the hardcore "WORK THOSE LEGS FATTIES" type of place, but stilll... I think this is too much.

I think the government should stop treating people like 5 year olds, accept we know what's best for us and it's up for us to decide what to do with our lives, and generally keep their noses out of our personal business. Every now and then I get overweight, and usually burn it off after a couple of weeks. I'm telling you, if this happens to me I will absolutely refuse to go.

What do you guys think of this?

I think this is the wrong way to deal with widespread obesity. Whether it needs dealing with at all could be reasonably debated. Being overweight has been (though tenuously) linked to genetics and other factors beyond control of the individual concerned. You don't put people in prison for having ginger hair, do you? This isn't quite prison, but it's too similar not to bring in the analogy.

I agree. Personally, all I think should happen is you should be made to go for a check-up with your doctor every 2-3 months and he can tell you how you're getting on and what you need to be doing. Forcing us to lead our lives the way they want them (when not doing so would endanger no one but ourselves) is taking away our liberty.

It should and shouldn't be obligitory.There should be the option of going or not.

It's ridiculous. UK is a free country, and the last thing they need is some government telling them to go somewhere because of /insert cause here/.

Quote from Wtf

It's ridiculous. UK is a free country

But is it Nigel? is it?

the thing you have to accept is that little kids really don't know whats best for them, and hell they don't want to get thin their just kids. sure it seems like a dredging breech of human rights but its definitly for their own good, they'll definitly look back of their time in fatcamp as a good thing when their fit healthy young people

sure until they put weight on again. and this isn't just "little children", it's people my age who are quite capable of deciding for themselves what they want and how it will affect them.

fat camp, i'm assuming, isn't just about losing the weight. it's about how to change your lifestyle to keep yourself healthy and thin. and really if someone your age decides that they want to be fat for the rest of their lifes then they are an extremly stupid person

Indeed, but I'm sure people know this already. It just seems like some sort of public humiliation. Nobody wants to tell their friends "I spent summer at a fat camp".

They should just put more of an emphasis on PE/gym class in schools.

i don't know what it is about kids these days but they'll do allmost anything to get out of P.E, its pathetic and really weird

The only P.E I don't like is the crosscountry we do at the start of every year. Makes some people throw up. I like everything else though.

Quote from CGIllusion

They should just put more of an emphasis on PE/gym class in schools.

shhhiit 80% of the kids in PE bearly do what there told. Im in rotc and i have PE so after i run my two miles i go to PE. And im basically working on my frekin cuts because everyone is walking the track. Now im a big fella but rotc has given me stamina which is great i guess but nobody wants to get sweaty and i guess that's ok for the girls but come on? everyday? i think fat camp is just what they need, its hard work but in the end it will pay off. They won't worry about appearance and basically it would cut back on alot of things. i say go for it.

Bad idea.

Then again, there are some fat-ass kids around... in most cases, this can be blamed entirely on the parents. Television is so easy and convenient that playing catch is out of the question because we're too busy, that sort of thing. Hooray Western society!

EDIT: on the subject of PE in schools - in my high school, you only had to do it one semester per year, and you could just walk or play ping-pong if you wanted. Honestly I think that working out should be mandatory in these classes (with exception for physical disabilities and the like, of course, and only within reason). I've only just started working out on a regular basis this year at college and I can already notice a difference in my health.