UK Bans Use of "Obese" To Describe Overweight Children

Kernel Sanders · 08-04-08, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Parents of primary school children will start getting letters in September telling them how fat their children are. But however much they weigh, no child will ever be described as obese.

The Department of Health has found in surveys that the term obese is a turn-off, so instead will use the term “very overweight” for those children whose body mass index exceeds 30, in an attempt to enlist parents’ support.

Primary care trusts have been given a detailed set of instructions, and a sample letter, explaining how to convey to parents the results of the National Child Measurement Programme.

Among other words not to be used is “exercise”. Dr Will Cavendish, Director of Health and Wellbeing at the department, said that this, too, conveyed an unhelpful image to parents. Being “physically active” is preferred.

You've got to be ****ing kidding me

DeeJayH · 08-04-08, 04:31 PM

Douchebaggery of highest order

fat kids are fat
obese kids are obese
stupid kids are stupid
retarded kids are retarded

Father Time · 08-04-08, 05:11 PM

I thought obese was a medical term.

Oh well political correctnes at it's ultimate stupidity.

He's what I'm betting will happen.

Obese will carry around more weight because it's a banned term.

People will figure out very quickly that 'very overweight' is just a substitute for obese and it will carry around the same weight that obese did.

Congratulations you accomplish nothing.

But did you really expect people who make fun of fat kids to all of a sudden not say forbidden words?

jamesrage · 08-04-08, 05:59 PM

This is the UK were talking about so I can not really say that I am surprised. If these parents have a problem with their kid being called obese then they need to do something about such maybe feed their kid less food and get their kids to exercise.

Gipper · 08-04-08, 06:09 PM

They're right. To spare the feelings of the children, we should eliminate the word obese as a description for them. Let's just call them "lardasses".

Quote:

Dear Parent,

After a physical evaluation of your child, he/she has fallen into the category of "lardass". This implies that your child needs to eat vegetables, exercise more, and that you are stupid/borderline neglect perpetuator. For shame.

Sincerely,

Random English School

Tucker Case · 08-04-08, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gipper

They're right. To spare the feelings of the children, we should eliminate the word obese as a description for them. Let's just call them "lardasses".

I need a warning before I read something like that. I shot soda out of my nose.

shuamort · 08-04-08, 06:47 PM

This was a "problem" when Wii Fit came out over there too.

Quote:

However, a father from the South-East spoke today of the embarrassment when his stepdaughter played the game and was labelled fat.

"She is a perfectly healthy, 4ft 9in tall 10-year-old who swims, dances and weighs only six stone," said the father, who did not want to be named for fear of embarrassing the girl further.

"She is solidly built but not fat. She was devastated to be called fat and we had to work hard to convince her she isn't.