Pay obese to lose weight, Australian doctors urge - Singapore's Online Community

**yvonnetan782** · 13-09-2007, 11:21 AM

SYDNEY : Overweight people should be paid to attend weight-loss programmes to reduce the impact the growing obesity epidemic is having on the healthcare system, a group of Australian doctors said Wednesday.

Obesity has more than doubled in Australia in the last 20 years and is placing an uncomfortable strain not only on waistlines but on health services, the Australian General Practice Network said.

To combat the spiralling problem, it wants the government to give the overweight a A$170 (US$141) subsidy to do something about their expanding physique.

The network, which represents general practitioners, said effective weight-loss programmes were often too expensive, particularly for those with modest incomes.

"We believe that this (money) will go a long way to helping people get access to accredited weight-loss programmes where the people will be supported," network chairman Tony Hobbs told state radio.

"They'll have goals set, they will be expected to come back at the end of the 12-week programme and be measured to see whether or not they've been able to succeed with their weight-loss programme."

The network said it was important to tackle the issue immediately because of the growing rates of type-2 diabetes, heart disease and cancers linked to obesity.

The top national organisation representing doctors, the Australian Medical Association (AMA), said action should focus on educating people about their health rather than encouraging a quick-fix dieting programme.

"The real issue is educating people overall into adopting a healthy lifestyle, understanding the healthy choices that they need to make and that becoming part of their lives. Not a 12-week programme where a diet and strict controls are in place," AMA president Dr Rosanna Capolingua told ABC radio. - AFP/ch

**id_peace** · 13-09-2007, 12:16 PM

the idea is crap. totally crap.

**sgalextoh** · 13-09-2007, 01:21 PM

One of my friend saw 1 advertisement before. That company said free weight lossing programe. But in the end when he went to that company, they said the programe is free, but for every pound you loss, you have to pay them certain price. It's all crap! You don't get free lunch unless you work for it.

**wenchong1985** · 13-09-2007, 02:22 PM

just go BMTC la..is free and can help defend singapore also

**genzo2106** · 13-09-2007, 02:32 PM

well dnt think slimming centres will offer this type of programs..is a sure-losing investment/business proposal without a doubt

**sunnygalisbobo** · 13-09-2007, 03:16 PM

haha ok this is really quite lame. so working will have to pay more taxes soon and really, i think there are non expensive ways to lose weight. it might even help you save money. eat less, walk more you know? it's kinda sad ot see how pple don't care about themselves until the state has to step in and intervene cos these pple are becoming a libaility to them. so they don't help themselves and other pple who are paying tax. sigh.

**patrina** · 13-09-2007, 05:48 PM

Then like that no fair anymore :speechless:

**uyen** · 13-09-2007, 10:57 PM

this will still attract depress ppls .