I'm kind of slack-jawed in shock over this article. I've been rendered speechless.
"Clothes made in larger sizes should carry a tag with an obesity helpline number, health specialists have suggested. . . . [and they recommend] printing a helpline numbers for advice with all clothes sold with a waist of more than 40 in for men and 37 in for boys, women’s garments with a waist of more than 35 in or size 16 or above, and more than 31 in for girls."
But I'll bet you just did a mental calculation to see if you were above or below those numbers, didn't you?
16 comments:
Speaking as someone who formerly had a waist size greater than 35 and was over a size 16, I can definitely say, that labels like that would just tick me off and make me avoid clothing stores even more. It wouldn't help me want to lose weight and I would be even less likely to call their "obesity helpline."
I think this is one of those, "you can lead a horse to water" situations. When a person is ready to lose weight, they will lose the weight (with hard work of course! ;) )
Ummmm, wow. Would that be because people in clothing of that size are unaware they are large? Does this plan take into account only waist size, or waist when compared with other things, say height?
But, I hate to say it, wasn't it just a few days ago Comm got all kinds of comments from people supporting the government intervening in how foods are prepared? If food, why not clothes?
I, too, was once over those numbers. Like I needed reminding; the fact that every two dozen garments only had ONE size 16 and NO size 18's was enough! Large-sized people do not need reminding that they are large. The already know it and already know what they want to do about it.
I think this is ripe for a SNL skit. Like calling the help line and screaming "Help, I can't get these pants on!!"
Because clothes are now sized "generously"- I know wear a 4. (I used to wear an 8- I haven't lost weight!)
now...you "know" it!
In a way I think this is a good attempt by the government. We have heard for years that people need to eat better and get more active in order to lose weight. But it was all talk and no support on the part of the government. Maybe there really is someone out there that would buy the clothes and use the resources of a helpline because they've got no other access to support or information. Personally, though, when I was that size it just would have insulted me.
Hmm, how about those warning labels in smaller-sized clothing so people who are dangerously underweight will have somewhere to go for help!?
As if.
This is so cool. I know I want the goverment telling me what to eat, when to eat, whether or not I'm too big AND could they please find a way to make sure I go to bed at a decent hour? Please!!??
and i just want the government to send me some money.
(that was a good one about the warning: YOU ARE DANGEROUSLY UNDERWEIGHT! CALL NOW! I think it should be an audio warning though.)
and come on does ANYONE really think that overweight people are UNAWARE of that fact? don't get me started.
I saw that as well. Will people just stop worrying about what I am doing with my life and let me live it.
I tire of do-gooders and activists who know what is for my own good.
Soon enough...ahhhh, this rant I save for my own blog.
I'm sure a label warning such as that is not going to inspire anyone to change their ways to conform to what someone considers to be a healthy size. Now if they are comparing Americans or Europeans with Asians, that would be a poor analysis, and since so much clothing is made overseas these days, you have to wonder who is making these decisions. I'm sure it is some well meaning, anorexic designer. Its ridiculous.
If the government was involved in my life ,I'd spend the whole time reading warning labels.
I was thinking about this again while running today. Will they also be putting warning labels in size 0 and size 2 clothes with Bulimia hotline numbers? Just a thought.
I firmly believe that obesity is a major problem in the US and will be a major health crisis in the next decade as rates of diabetes and heart disease go through the roof. It is something that we need to address and now (this coming from someone who is on the wrong side of the size limits). That being said, anyone who thinks that warning labels on clothes is the solution is mistaken. Warning labels on food might be a better idea but even that will have questionable results. At least then you are looking at the problem and not the symptom.
As if the fact that we have to shop in a special store just to buy those sizes weren't enough of a painful reminder.
Post a Comment