Americans have failed at maintaining their health on their own.

That's why we have so many fat ****s walking around.

Forcing Americans to exercise isn't the answer, and wouldn't be right, but making it easier for them to do so might be.

Hopefully the government can come up with some national programs and encourage people to be a part of it.

Or requiring you to visit the doctor even if you don't want to do so.

It's fairly close, but we've had this discussion before.

There are such programs. They are voluntary, of course (now). There's a big difference between encouraging versus ordering.

I'm still "obese". Great idea, IMO.

I wonder if they'll then tie in to the records from your grocery store's shopper card so they'll know whether you're just fat cause you're fat, or fat cause you're living on a steady diet of Doritos, Twinkies and bacon?

Well here's what they can do with this data. They can target advertising for those programs more accurately.

If the average fat American was visited by a representative from a government-sponsored weight loss program, and encouraged to register and participate, I bet there would be fewer fat Americans.

But maybe I have my head way up my ass and America is hopelessly fat.

Here's a thought: currently the weight loss and exercise industry is thriving. Some people don't want to spend the money they feel they have to in order to lose weight. What if the government made it a lot cheaper for them?

It's useless, but we've had this discussion before.

It's scares the crap out of me that anyone would welcome such a visit.

Useless? No. Inaccurate for some people? Yes.

It's harmless, and potentially very beneficial.

And it would create jobs.

OBAMA!

I apologize folks, but this is pretty much how my entire generation sees the world, GC is a bit of a simpleton, but his views on this particular front do mirror his general demographic.

Nope, not interested in coming up with our own solutions, but hopefully [sic], big brother can fix everything for us...

I still blame the Baby Boomers. **** you guys.

If it's inaccurate for some people, then maybe we need to find an accurate measurement for everybody. And you know they exist, so quit rationalizing this crap.

I can almost guarantee that they will use this data in some form of discrimination down the road, but it will be presented as being for our own good, probably to do with increased premiums, sort of like they (insurance companies) are doing with smoking presently. However, being overweight and smoking are both bad for you and as health care is expensive, it would be wise to use certain incentives to get Americans to drop weight/quit smoking to try to bring down some of the expense. Of course, making fun of the overweight has been going on for years and that is a more direct approach which appears to have failed, although judging by your posts, it seems like you are going to continue to try that approach.

Not even close. The worst President this country has ever had is US Grant.