Price Per Pound

that would never work, the junk food industry wouldnt allow it. neither would the pill makers. theres money in fat people.

It would work for me. I'd be happy to collect the governments' money if I lost weight, and more if I kept it off. I even think the Mayor of Varallo has approximately the right price / pound for his citizens. Though I think it would be even better to pay, say 10 Euros (US$15 approximately) for each percent of body weight lost from each individual's start point, then quadruple the payment for weight kept off for at least 6 months.

Anna

There need be some safeguards put in place. Only people that really are over weight and in danger of health problems because of it should be allowed to participate.

I could easily lose 10 pounds and keep it off but in my case it would not be a good idea. I only weight 150 lbs as it is and I'm 6'5".

I have the opposite weight problem then most people. I can't keep it on. I know most of you are thinking "Gee I wish I had that problem everything I eat puts pounds on me". But there are some of us out there that have to constantly eat just to maintain a livable weight. I consume at a minimum of 4000 calories a day just to keep my weight on. You know how hard it is to do this and eat healthy food at the same time? And if I'm physically active during the day instead of sitting in front of my computer at my day to day job I have to consume even more calories.

And NO I don't have a disease of any sort that any Dr can find. Its just my metabolism is VERY high. I even have a higher body temp than most people. My wife loves to snuggle up next to what she refers to as a "Human blast furnace" on cold nights.

I agree, Scotchdrinker.

Only those more than say, 10% over their ideal weight should be paid to lose pounds. In your case, you might be healthier if you were paid by the government or your insurance company to gain some weight. It sounds as if you don't have any reserves, so a bout of 'flu could all-too-easily drop your weight too low for safety.

I wish I knew a good way to average our two metabolic rates. Mine could stand to be kicked up a notch or two more, and it sounds like yours could use a little throttling back. I had an experience like yours when I was nursing my twins. I needed to consume 4-5000 high quality calories and 4 liters of fluid a day to maintain my weight and produce enough milk for them. It was interesting, but the coming back to a more normal-for-me level was tricky.

Anna

What happen if people gain back their weight or become even heavier say six months after they received their reward? Do they have to return the reward or pay a fine if they become heavier than before they start losing their weight? The money has to come from somewhere, not from tax payers.

Slong,

Why shouldn't the money to reward healthier behavior come from taxpayers?

The money to pay for medical care and disability payments caused by unhealthy behavior often does. Speaking as someone who pays pretty high taxes, I'd rather pay somebody $200 a year to keep their weight under control than pay for $10,000 knee replacements every 10-15 years.

Anna

Anna,

If it stays at $ 200/person yes but if the person gain back its weight than its a waste of money and taxpayers still have to pay $10,000 for knee replacement.

If people don't have the discipline to stay healthy they should not be rewarded.

I think there is enough incentive to keeping your body healthy already. People would probably lose weight. But as Slong says in 6 months the weight is back on and in addition to the money spent to lose the weight, the knee replacements and such would still be needed. Not to mention the money spent for those just slightly overweight receive tax money and never would require any Medicare help anyway.

Chazl