Citing his own weight battle, PM urges Britain to get fit

[snoop1130]

Citing his own weight battle, PM urges Britain to get fit

By Elizabeth Piper and Guy Faulconbridge

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street in London, Britain, July 22, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson used his own struggle with weight on Monday to urge the British to get fitter and tackle widespread obesity that could heighten coronavirus risks.

 

New government measures to help people shed weight include banning TV and online adverts for junk food before 9.00 p.m., ending "buy one get one free" deals on such foods, and flagging calories on menus of large restaurants plus possibly on alcohol.

 

Johnson, 56, who has lost more than a stone (6 kg) since a life-threatening brush with COVID-19, was responding to research showing that those who are obese or overweight are at increased risk of death or severe illness from the disease.

 

The prime minister has a reputation as a bon viveur, who in the past has spoken of enjoying an expensive bottle of red wine and late-night binges on chorizo and cheese. But he has also championed cycling to work and introduced so-called "Boris bikes" in London for public use when mayor of the capital.

 

Last month, Johnson said British people were fatter than most European counterparts apart from Malta and his government targeted "tackling the obesity time bomb".

 

"I WAS TOO FAT"

 

"I've always wanted to lose weight for ages and ages and like many people I struggle with my weight, I go up and down. But since I recovered from coronavirus I have been steadily building up my fitness," he said in a Twitter video on Monday.

 

"When I went into ICU (intensive care) when I was really ill, I was way overweight ... and, you know, I was too fat," he added, describing his new regime as a gentle run in the morning which gives him more energy during the day.

 

Johnson, who has often mocked state "nannying", said he hoped the new health campaign was not "excessively bossy" but rather a gentle nudge for Britain to get fitter.

 

With more than 60% of adults in Britain considered overweight or obese, according to Public Health England, a "Better Health" campaign will be introduced with weight management services expanded in the National Health Service.

 

The opposition Labour Party said it had heard "big promises" from the ruling Conservatives before and criticised them for past health service cuts.

 

"An effective obesity strategy needs action, not consultation," said Labour's health and social care policy chief Alex Norris. "The Tories (Conservatives) have pared public health to the bone and people are paying the price for ten years of this complacency."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-27

 

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[evadgib]

HMG's version(s) released today:

 

Major new campaign encourages millions to lose weight and cut COVID-19 risk

 

New obesity strategy unveiled as country urged to lose weight to beat coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect the NHS

 

Edited July 27, 2020 by evadgib

[Proboscis]

Two features about this story are intriguing.

 

The first is the way the Prime Minister makes policy. It would appear that this now high priority and high cost policy would never have been initiated had the PM not caught a bad case of Covid-19 and had to be in hospital. Not sure whether it was because he was carrying a few pounds or not. But this is his way of coming up with policies. Lets hope he is never in a car crash otherwise we will all be banned from driving.

 

The second is the way that the UK has problems but just does not seem to be able to come up with solutions to them until there is some over-the-top version that goes too far. In this case, all the tools for making the suggested changes have been there for years and have been suggested by various interested parties but nothing happened. Now, in the middle of the worst economic crisis, companies in hospitality sector are having to invest in calorie counting. To conform to standards, they will now have to weigh each dish as it goes out. For a small restaurant this will be a huge cost for what is really not much benefit to the customer.

 

 

[Eric Loh]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Prime Minister Boris Johnson used his own struggle with weight on Monday to urge the British to get fitter and tackle widespread obesity

Give him credit for admitting that he is over weight. Not so for the other fatso in the White House who think he is a prefect human specimen with natural hair. 

[Thingamabob]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Give him credit for admitting that he is over weight. Not so for the other fatso in the White House who think he is a prefect human specimen with natural hair. 

However, both will be easily  re-elected.

[sawadee1947]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

and, you know, I was too fat," he added,

Just wait until Brexit is done... 

Many things for many people will be not available or too expensive. 

Then it's time for chlorinated chicken... ????

Enjoy Lord Woldemort 

[from the home of CC]

alcohol is a main component of the general unhealthiness, though it's addictive properties ensure it will always be a fabric of their society. Hell, the booze industry swayed public health recommendation even in the middle of a health emergency by pressuring the opening of bars by equating it with the economy, thus the power of this drug will ensure disease spread (let alone flawed decision making)..

[Kadilo]

Not great timing launching a “eat out to help out” encouraging people to go out and eat on the cheap, then tell them they should start looking at the amount of calories they are consuming. 
 

Of course, the government  will say the midweek treat should replace one of their existing meals not be an additional one but as some of these people struggle to control their eating it’s more likely gonna be the former and be counterproductive in getting people fitter. 
 

Clearly prompted by his experience with COVID and a fatty despite the fact he has allegedly lost 6kg. He claims he “was too fat”. Hello, you ARE too fat and still clinically obese bit at least you have made a start. 
 

I see now In addition he is introducing a bike repair scheme where people can get a £50 voucher to dust off their old jalopy and get cycling. Once again, cycling is supposed to be one of his alleged passions and wants to see more people getting fitter by following suit. 
 

Strange he is supposed to have been a keen cyclist for many years but is still clinically obese. 
 

I guess we should be glad he hasn't had a recent car accident else we might all be told to go and have driving lessons. 

Edited July 28, 2020 by Kadilo

[deportee]

Boris Johnson weight loss program: contract Coronavirus and nearly die.

[bannork]

This week portly Boris is lecturing on diet.

Next week the theme is marriage guidance.

Following that, Boris offers tips on child care.

He concludes these guides to a better life with a course on hair styling.

[rvaviator]

Cost of obesity to the NHS ?  Let each fat person register with there local GP ... GP will give them a target weight ..... 12 months later .. if they reach that weight .. they get XX pounds per kg lost ... if they keep it off ... 12 months later ... they get XX pounds again ... It may cost the government (tax payer) less than having to pay for all the extra cost that the NHS have to pay to look after fat people .... Call it a FAT tax rebate ????.