Today I am afraid is another rant, I am getting so exasperated at
the way politicians say something without considering the implications, only to
gain votes. There was an article in the Lancet, a leading UK medical magazine,
about a pronunciation by our Prime Minister. He said that morbidly obese people
should have their benefits withheld if they;
a) Do not accept a dietary regime.
b) Failing that get gastric band surgery.
Ra Ra a few more votes from disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, we should
teach these people a lesson, living the life of riley on benefits. That it is
what it is designed for. Lets look behind the populist rant.
Firstly there are less than two thousand people in the UK in this
category. Now this is a personal tragedy for each and every one of these
people, it is hardly something that is breaking the benefits system. Compared
to abuse of the tax system by individuals that pales into insignificance. But
hey tax cheats lobby the government and contribute to party coffers, no link
there then.
Secondly the Lancet points out that dietary intervention does not
work anyway. The body physiologically revolts against a diet. So the Prime
Minister is proposing a policy that medical professionals say do not work. But
lets not let rhetoric be compromised by fact.
Then he is proposing compulsory surgery. We are now in the realms
of some of the most extreme regimes in history both on the left and right. This
is an utterly abhorrent policy that if for instance you substituted sterilisation
for gastric band surgery would be rightly ridiculed. It is beyond the pale.
So then we look at what does actually work and I am quoting the
Lancet here, beyond dispute it is a more holistic interventionist approach that
involves a change in lifestyle, mentoring and education. But this does not make
a popular headline.
Once again are politicians are in search of an easy headline rather
than analysis of a problem and use of a solution that actually works.
Another rant over. We are off to Majorca tomorrow for a long
weekend, so hopefully my temper will have been improved by some Spanish sun,
wine, and good food. Also a classic railway journey. Ole…
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