Posted on 05/17/2013 8:29:21 AM PDT by Sopater
Eau Claire (WQOW) - There's no debating that obesity is a serious problem in this country. What may be open for debate is what the government can do to address it.
Eau Claire's Comprehensive Plan has a health chapter. It's a lengthy document designed to encourage healthy living. There are many ways a city could go about doing that. One of several ideas the city is proposing is an "obesity map".
City of Eau Claire Associate Planner, Ned Noel, says, "So that the map would describe possible areas that people are more overweight."
It's a unique step that's never been done in Eau Claire before. The data would be calculated using the body mass index.
"By mapping we can get a sense of what neighborhoods in the community that might need some more attention," says Lieska Giese, with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department.
Those areas could potentially see more walking trails, parks, or even a community garden.
Eau Claire resident, Heather Thom, says, "I think it's a great idea, I've struggled with my weight my whole life and just having more options of things to do, and Eau Claire is a great town to do things outside. I think that's an awesome idea."
Eau Claire resident, Mari Griffith, says, "I think that's really invasive of the city to even try and do something like that, they can look around the city and find parts that don't have parks or trails and just put them in for everybody to enjoy. They don't need to know where the quote on quote, "bigger people" live, in order to improve the city that way."
One concern expressed by some community members is this is an overstep in privacy. WQOW News 18 asked the city how it plans to collect the data without violating any HIPPA laws.
Noel says, "We'd want to work with group partners whether it is insurers, or hospitals, or schools, or the university."
Here's an example of how it could work: your insurance company may have your BMI on file. By law, it can share that information as long as other information that would identify you is not released. So what can be shared is the BMI of person "X" who lives in a certain neighborhood.
"By doing things at a community level or a systems level, we can make a difference in health. So not just, telling someone to exercise but actually making sure that there's a safe neighborhood for them to exercise in," says Giese.
The obesity mapping policy is just one part of the comprehensive health plan. The city says this summer the plan commission will hold a public hearing and the city council will eventually vote for final approval on the plan.
When do they come out with the homosexual and/or promiscuity map? These are unhealthy behaviors.
Eau Claire is not that large of a city. Any investigators could get the skinny on the locals by popping into a number of diners and luncheonettes and observing who eats what.
Oh, good grief! “I’m fat because I can’t afford to live where the government hasn’t provided nice, pretty places for me to walk around”?
What is this poor slob going to ask for when his weight balloons in the winter because it’s too cold to comfortably go outside? Ask the government to make it warmer? Move him to a warmer climate?
This might not be the height of absurdity, but you can see it from there.
I think we should offer [an offer they can’t refuse] all these do-gooders a trip to China to a Dissident Re-education Camp for sympathizing, evil controllers who have no earthly value.
When do they come out with the Gossips area?
These snoops would be the perfect group to know about minding other people’s business.
I can see it now; “Newspaper Sued After Publishing Map Showing Where Registered Fat People Live”
Jail these imbeciles.
Hard labor behind bars needs to be reinstituted.
It’s a source of amazement to me what a low level of respect government personnel have for the American people. They enjoy treating the citizenry like animals.
S'ok. I enjoy treating burro-craps like light pole decorations. ;)
/johnny
Government paid gym membership with government paid transportation to and from the gym. Some pay to offset any time he might have to take off work, free child care while he works out. Free athletic clothes and shoes. I probably missed something.
just burn all the fattie’s houses down.
foraging keeps you thin, comrade.
Food Stamps are fattening.
Eau Claire BMI map promoted by government. I’m told by my doctors that BMI will used by Obamacare to regulate whether, or not, those on Medicare will receive certain services (such as joint replacements).
And they laughed at Sarah Palin’s references to ‘death panels’.
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
>> Any investigators could get the skinny on the locals
...so to speak.
Ironic that a city whose name sounds like a donut would do this.
Rejects from the University of Wisconsin-Madison end up at UW-Oak Lair to hone their totalitarian skills. Yep, Eau Clair is a college town. ‘Nuff said.
In In the News/Activism forum, on a thread titled City of Eau Claire (WI) considers “obesity map”, IbJensen wrote:
“Jail these imbeciles”
No pepper the medium with condemnation for promoting the idiocy. Bet that station hasn’t made a mention about Bengahzi or the IRS except probably to defend the regimes actions.
I bet ground zero is City Hall
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