The Mississippi Food Police

Before I begin today's rant, I think to thank everyone for their thoughtful comments and intelligent responses to some mean comments on my blog.  I tend to leave most comments on my blog whether they are negative or positive. I do delete spam, weight loss ads, and any comments that are cruel.

Now speaking of cruel.  A Mississippi "lawmakers" have decided you may be too fat to eat out.
From the article by Sandy Szwarc: House Bill 282 was introduced in the 2008 legislative session on Friday by Representative W.T. Mayhall, Jr., a retired pharmaceutical salesman with DuPont-Merk. Its co-authors are Bobby Shows, a businessman, and John Read, a pharmacist."

The preamble of the bill itself:
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FROM SERVING FOOD TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OBESE, BASED ON CRITERIA PRESCRIBED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE WRITTEN MATERIALS THAT DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A PERSON IS OBESE AND TO PROVIDE THOSE MATERIALS TO THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

When it was quite obvious there is no way in hell something like this would pass, John Banzhaf a "consumer advocate" (who was unsuccessful in suing big foods) believes the bills can be salvaged if the focus is changed to fat children.  If a server at a fast food chain (obviously an expert in obesity) thinks that the kid is fat they shouldn't be served any meal that might be high in calories.

I think neither would have a chance to pass.  One good thing us fatties have is that the restaurant lobby is often on our side and they would fight this tooth and nail that people no matter what their size can eat anywhere they want and how much they want.

The kid thing is a little scarier.  Mostly because it's an easy card to play.  No one wants anything bad to happen to children (except inadequate schools, no health care and lack of food for about 10 million kids ).   A law like this would lead to disordered eating and low self-esteem.  You really think a fat kid will feel great and motivated when some server at Taco Bell says he's too fat to get Nachos bella grande.   Meanwhile his thin friends can get whatever they want because they are naturally slim.   Not being able to eat in public can lead to eating disorders. As the person will instead binge in private. I know because I was one of them.  When I dieted I ate beautifully in public. Lots of salads, fruits and small portions.  When I was alone it was a massive binge. 

It shouldn't be up to some food server to decide who can or cannot eat.  The parents and schools need to teach kids of ALL SIZES to eat well balanced meals (i.e. Lunch shouldn't be only carrot sticks), junk food in moderation and movement.  If lawmakers really wanted to do something that could actually be helpful for a change they could make sure schools were fully funded to ofter nutritious (and tasty) meals and regular PE classes.

While this bill has no hope of passing, please let the sponsors and supports know that it is not only a violation of civil rights, forced segregation, it is also plain cruel.

Comments

[Emily]

So, they're asking fast food employees making minimum wage(most of them teenage kids) and servers at other establishments making only a little more to make the judgement call of who should be served? That alone can only end badly.

[Cynthia]

A bill like that is ridiculous. At best, it would only hurt feelings and the child would eat elsewhere. Now, yeah, the issue of childhood obesity is a huge concern, but it boils down to parents need to care enough to teach their children to eat healthy. All their children, not just the fat ones.

Honestly, it gripes me whenever I see someone trying to lose weight and struggling because their house is full of junk food being consumed by the thin person. Junk food still isn't healthy for the thin! It's not going to nourish them well anymore than it nourishes a fat person.

Nor does being overweight automatically make one unhealthy! I mean, I'm obese, was morbidly obese and still have great bloodwork, just fine blood pressure, etc...

I could wish though that the government would give more support to the farmers growing good produce, as opposed to corn for corn syrup.

[Catherine Morgan]

Hey Cynthia. I did a post on the AP report from yesterday for BlogHer, and I linked to your site. :)

[Mack]

the Food Police Mississippi to Ban Fatties from Restaurants? because A state lawmaker wants to ban restaurants from serving the obese. Ok, more than 30 percent of adults in Mississippi are considered obese.The kid thing is a little scarier.The parents and schools need to teach kids of ALL SIZES to eat well balanced meals (i.e. Lunch shouldn't be only carrot sticks), junk food in moderation and movement.

mack

Addiction Recovery Mississippi