WomenCo.

I cannot believe what I just read within the context of this article. The idea of government telling its people what they "should" weigh and the repercussions they face if they don't kinda baffles my brain. I have other more in depth opinions about this but I would love to know what your take is on this whole idea. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/world/asia/13fat.html?no_interstitial

KatS, I'm with you - as much as I'm for education and awareness regarding obesity, being tutored and/or chastised by the government regarding my weight seems inconceivably invasive to me, regardless of the intentions. 

Phyllis R. Neill, www.shementor.com

Promoting good health, not a bad idea- - - but, THIS from the land of Sumo wrestlers? Seriously?

the idea of a national weigh-in is a bit scary, isn't it?  I mean, that seems to me to be going a bit extreme.  What's next?  Mandatory checkbook reviews to make sure that you're not overspending and adding to the national debt crisis?  Animal Farm updated.

 Wow.  Well, as a longtime martial artist in the Japanese tradition, (third degree black belt in shotokan karate) and having spent time in Japan, I can tell you that that particular asian nation is all about the 'rules'.  It does not surprise me that, as a 'health measure' the government would want to regulate waistlines.  It also makes me want to both laugh and cry hysterically.  As one of the world's 'healthiest' countries, measured by longevity and low heart disease occurrences, I would think the Nippon-jin would be proud of that and stick to their heritage and not fall prey to the global 'fear of diabetes'.  Not that diabetes is not an epidemic problem in the world, but why go to such an extreme as a preventative measure?  Then again, this is the culture that brought punching trees until your knuckles turn to pulp to the world. ;)  (no, never did that... never will)

Beyond ridiculous!  Some people can not HELP the fact they are big; if they could they would have done so!  I myself used to be 105 size 4 in high school but due to the depo shots I went to a whopping 180 in 2 months I was horrified!  I have since then NEVER gotten below a size 9 but I have curves and I really do not LOOK that size.  Sure I am short, but I am stocky and the Dr. I go to was amazed I had hardly ANY body fat (cant say that now last years holidays kicked my butt but I am slowly getting back into control!) when I stepped on the scale she was quite shocked on how much I actually weighed, I had to point out to her that yes, muscle does weigh more than fat ALOT MORE!  If it was up to the BMI I would look like Nicole Richie pre-pregnancy when she was the stick figure, no thank you, I rather follow the hip to waist ratio its much more realistic!  Remember Marilyn would be considered not only a 'plus sized' model but almost OBESE by the modeling standards of today and honey there is NOTHING fat on her but maybe the jewels she was wearing!  I am all for work places doing programs and group discounts for health clubs.  I have worked for companies that have set up gyms in the office building, and it was quite handy.  In China everyone exercises in the mornings together, no excuses.  To them a fit body is a fit mind but there has to be an understand what 'fit' is.