New Government Ploy: Fat Tests for Pensioners

Tuesday, 7th April 2009

Can this really be happening?

Everyone aged between 40 and 74 will be called in to their GP for a 'fat test' and prescribed weight management and exercise if they are found to be overweight, under a new Government drive on obesity.

Why, god help us, yes it can. And is. How, er, fatuous. The whole piece merits reading for its head-in-hands ghastliness. All thisbeing the case, though, isn't it obvious that this government programme doesn't go far enough? Why wait until people are 40? It's too late then, innit? And why are lardy 75 year olds getting off, er, lightly? Surely they should be "prescribed weight management and exercise" too? In fact, they should be required to spend an hour a day being gently spun around a kind of geriatric gerbil-wheel...

Every time one suspects that the term "Nanny state" is over-used, these clowns produce something that just makes one despair. And despair is important, because it uses up less energy - and hence is less exercise - than rage.

And what will happen when some 72 year-old codger refuses to take the necessary "weight management" steps? Will he be refused all treatment on the grounds that, like the poor smokers, he deserves to be ill or something? Where, in the name of god, will it all end?

[Hat-tip: Simon Clark]

Filed under: Britain (736 more articles) , O Tempora, O Mores (186 more articles)

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Stu

April 7th, 2009 4:17pm Report this comment

I would be nice if the nanny state also had a 'fat wallet test' for those MPs who think that it is not a problem to bleed the system. A nice new telly or kitchen whilst the rest of us foolishly work for a living is just what the doctor ordered.

maas101

April 7th, 2009 4:46pm Report this comment

And if I get called in I will prove to be just as elusive as my GP appears to be when I actually want to see him.

Maybe if they offered to re-imburse me for time I would lose then I would consider it. Or maybe I would point out that my GP is actually carrying quite a few more pounds than I am and suggest 'Physician heal thyself!'

R.Rowan

April 7th, 2009 4:50pm Report this comment

Theirs enough porkers in parliament for Dawn to start with,whats Browns body mass index?

D.

April 7th, 2009 6:35pm Report this comment

I'm fat, although under 40, and my weight and exercise plan is my business and not some civil servants. I pay my taxes, I'll eat as much as I damn well please. Whitehall: fuck off. ps I'm a Labour voter, or I used to be...

Fergus Pickering

April 7th, 2009 6:45pm Report this comment

I think it works like this. Doctor sends letter to patient. Patient tells doctor to fuck off and die. End of programme. I'm sure my nice doctor wouldn't even SUGGEST such a thing. I know if I got thinner I would just fade away.