My chair has been stuck to my butt for years. Not because of my BMI but because they keep us chained to the desk. How about all the fat cops out there? Did you see the fat ones on the news trying to run to help the VaTech victims? Donuts for everyone!
My own tucus is getting larger because I stay at my desk reading all these posts. Most of those \”fat cops\” are actually wearing flack jackets under their uniforms. I, for one, would welcome a police officer no matter what shape he/she is in. Few seem to be attacking the study anymore. What gives? I sure hope Rosie shows up.
Okay, I was not trying to put down cops. The article was about obesity in the workplace and how it is effecting workers comp. From the news tapes I saw, there were a number of overweight police that were running to get to the victims. I saw one in particular that looked like he was struggling not to have a heart attack. Point being, what good is he going to be when he gets to the victim or to apprehending the criminal if he is breathless and can hardly stand up. You and I sitting at a desk all day are not much at risk of injuring ourselves.
Oh, by the way some of my very good friends are cops and they are overweight and are on diets now because in their department if they reach a certain level they are put in different jobs until they take the weight off.
I wonder if they took in to consideration age at all. It\’s not uncommon for older people to have put on some weight putting them into the overweight/obese category then their younger counterparts and which age comes more physical problems. Are the older and/or heavier individuals inflating the numbers?
I agree that the BMI table is not a perfect indicator for those who are over-weight, but generally, it does give some indication of individuals who carry more weight than their height should allow. I\’m sure, based on the information in the article, it was the most reliable measurement for the study. However, to me, the shocking statistic of the average medical claims costs per 100 employees – $51,019 for the obese compared to just $7,503 for the non-obese – is VERY interesting. Employers may find that hiring the slim and trim will ultimately trim their workers comp premiums.
I understand the points some of you made regarding the limitation of the BMI and the political/monetary pressure applied by the entire diet industry, but it is simply a fact that obese people, truly obese people, have difficulty managing the most menial tasks. I do not believe anyone would argue that medically over-weight people are less healthy and thus more prone to injury/sickness than those who are average weight. I just didn\’t realize how much weight it put on the workers comp system…
Does this mean it is going to be even more difficult for large people (some of whom may be 100% healthy) to find good jobs?
And because of the \”facts\” presented, will employers be legally allowed to discriminate against large people because of their potential damage to the bottom line?
Should employers be allowed to factor a person\’s size into their hiring decisions? According to this article, it sounds like they *may* have a legitimate reason to, in the name of sound business practices.
Obesity is a complex issue and there are numerous causes behind it. For some people, it is a serious problem. For other people, like myself, we\’re just fluffy and completely healthy.
How can a person tell how \”bad\” someone else\’s weight issues are just by looking at them? Does their size really tell the whole story? Will employers now require medical histories along with resumes?
Good questions…that\’s what I thought when I read the article. I\’ve been through ADA training before, but it has been a while. I honestly can\’t remember if obese people are a \”protected class.\” Seems to me they are.
By the way, i LOVE the new Jewel. It just goes to show you how popular you can be with a personality!!
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My chair has been stuck to my butt for years. Not because of my BMI but because they keep us chained to the desk. How about all the fat cops out there? Did you see the fat ones on the news trying to run to help the VaTech victims? Donuts for everyone!
Linda, when you need a cop, I\’ll bet you would be happy to see a fat one, or would you wait for the next avialable skinny cop??
The skinny one will get their first so it does not matter.
My own tucus is getting larger because I stay at my desk reading all these posts. Most of those \”fat cops\” are actually wearing flack jackets under their uniforms. I, for one, would welcome a police officer no matter what shape he/she is in. Few seem to be attacking the study anymore. What gives? I sure hope Rosie shows up.
I\’ve fought long and hard to accept myself as a full figured woman and i will not let a story like this affect MY self-esteem.
Okay, I was not trying to put down cops. The article was about obesity in the workplace and how it is effecting workers comp. From the news tapes I saw, there were a number of overweight police that were running to get to the victims. I saw one in particular that looked like he was struggling not to have a heart attack. Point being, what good is he going to be when he gets to the victim or to apprehending the criminal if he is breathless and can hardly stand up. You and I sitting at a desk all day are not much at risk of injuring ourselves.
Oh, by the way some of my very good friends are cops and they are overweight and are on diets now because in their department if they reach a certain level they are put in different jobs until they take the weight off.
I wonder if they took in to consideration age at all. It\’s not uncommon for older people to have put on some weight putting them into the overweight/obese category then their younger counterparts and which age comes more physical problems. Are the older and/or heavier individuals inflating the numbers?
I agree that the BMI table is not a perfect indicator for those who are over-weight, but generally, it does give some indication of individuals who carry more weight than their height should allow. I\’m sure, based on the information in the article, it was the most reliable measurement for the study. However, to me, the shocking statistic of the average medical claims costs per 100 employees – $51,019 for the obese compared to just $7,503 for the non-obese – is VERY interesting. Employers may find that hiring the slim and trim will ultimately trim their workers comp premiums.
I understand the points some of you made regarding the limitation of the BMI and the political/monetary pressure applied by the entire diet industry, but it is simply a fact that obese people, truly obese people, have difficulty managing the most menial tasks. I do not believe anyone would argue that medically over-weight people are less healthy and thus more prone to injury/sickness than those who are average weight. I just didn\’t realize how much weight it put on the workers comp system…
…people of size?
Does this mean it is going to be even more difficult for large people (some of whom may be 100% healthy) to find good jobs?
And because of the \”facts\” presented, will employers be legally allowed to discriminate against large people because of their potential damage to the bottom line?
Should employers be allowed to factor a person\’s size into their hiring decisions? According to this article, it sounds like they *may* have a legitimate reason to, in the name of sound business practices.
Obesity is a complex issue and there are numerous causes behind it. For some people, it is a serious problem. For other people, like myself, we\’re just fluffy and completely healthy.
How can a person tell how \”bad\” someone else\’s weight issues are just by looking at them? Does their size really tell the whole story? Will employers now require medical histories along with resumes?
Your thoughts?
Good questions…that\’s what I thought when I read the article. I\’ve been through ADA training before, but it has been a while. I honestly can\’t remember if obese people are a \”protected class.\” Seems to me they are.
By the way, i LOVE the new Jewel. It just goes to show you how popular you can be with a personality!!