UK Council To Send Obese People 'Motivational' Texts Telling Them To Use Stairs

Qedward writes "Stoke-on-Trent City Council is sending texts to obese people in the area to help motivate them to lose weight. Examples of the texts sent include 'aim to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables each day,' 'aim to eat regular meals and keep a check on snacks and drinks' and 'maybe walk to the shops or use the stairs more often.' Over 100,000 people in the region are overweight or obese, the council said, and the texts are for those who are aged at least 18, have a body mass index of 25 or over and who have proactively signed up to receive the motivational messages."

Misleading headline again.

[sconeu]

But then I read the last line of TFS.

This is OPT-IN. You only get them if you sign up for them.

Of course, at some point, they will tap into NHS (I'm assuming that this is UK), and send to everyone, regardless of whether they had opted-in or not.

they need an incentive

[thetoadwarrior]

I don't think it's a surprised that people in Cambridge, for example, are quite healthy and fit and people in Stoke are not. It's not just a case of wealth but people in Cambridge are better educated and probably feel they have more to live for. The UK government has drained a lot of the country's ability to compete in favour of advancing London. It's no surprise people in poorer areas probably simply don't care. What's the incentive to lead a healthy life when you live in one of the more economically depressed areas of the country and the government makes it clear you don't matter because you're not a banker?

"Touch your toes, Winston!"

[Nova Express]

"Smith!" screamed the shrewish voice from the telescreen. "6079 Smith W.! Yes, YOU! Bend lower, please! You can do better than that. You’re not trying. Lower, please! THAT’S better, comrade."

Re:Too many puddings

[Anonymous Coward]

A part of being a member of a society is that you care for your fellow citizens. Some even take it so far that they are willing to risk their lives for their society, while others simply dedicate their entire lives and entire mental capacity to create ways to make you and other citizens safe. If you're a sociopath, at least consider that their death would mean that you would no longer get the benefits of their respective lines of work. A lot of geeks are too fat, and if you kill all fat geeks then the world would be a much scarier place.

Fortunately for you, geeks will keep protecting your networks against information warfare, keep improving the medical devices your will need when you get older and keep improving collision avoidance in the cars you drive. They will keep doing that even if they know that you despise them.

You're welcome...

Re:Misleading headline again.

[Anonymous Coward]

It speaks volumes that the idea that in the UK something like this isn't opt-in seems entirely plausible.

It does, but it speaks volumes about Slashdot, not about the UK.

Re:i hate fat fucks as much as the next guy...

[pr0fessor]

Being fat is not a condition.It is a lifestyle choice

That is not true and my wife will gladly tell you how she was injured, unable to walk more than a few feet for three years, given steroid based treatments that's side effects included weight gain, went from size 12 to 24 and now that she is able to exercise again, is back to size 18 and still loosing weight.

If you would like she can also tell you about worthless over priced treatments and tests and how insurance companies try to get out of paying.