3 ms·

> In fact, given the depth of the obesity problem in America, I would think that this sort of education should be mandatory in the schooling system. You're ass

by anamax 17y ago

> In fact, given the depth of the obesity problem in America, I would think that this sort of education should be mandatory in the schooling system. You're assuming that information availability is a problem yet your own example is different. In particular, you had information available while you were obese. You didn't stop being obese until you chose to act on the available information. What makes you think that a significant number of other people are different? Like you, most obese people know where to get the relevant information (if they don't have it already). How is making said information more available going to make them use it?

potatolicious 17y ago
> " In particular, you had information available while you were obese. You didn't stop being obese until you chose to act on the available information." I didn't have the information. The fact that nutritional education is practically free in Canada is not a well-publicized fact (most Canadians, even obese ones, are probably unaware). This is akin to claiming that some obscure website has some important factoid, meaning it is "available" to everyone. Technically true, but it doesn't mean people will even be aware that this information is available to them. Which is why I suggested making it mandatory in primary education - even subsidizing and making such services free means precious little if people aren't aware of the existence of such programs, or how powerful this information is. The works of Shakespeare are available freely just about anywhere you care to look, but we still roll this into our education system because, frankly, people will probably not go out of their way to learn it otherwise. For the greater benefit of society, critical information that everyone should know should be in the educational curriculum.
- anamax 17y ago
  What part of "eat less, exercise more" didn't you have? What part of "not so much fat, meat, and carbs" was unknown to you? This information isn't obscure or hard to find. In the US, we're inundated with it. Do you really believe that you'd have acted sooner if someone had given you the book earlier? Do you really want to hang your argument on "free"? (1) It's actually quite easy to find free nutrition info if you're interested. (2) It's even easier to find modestly priced info. I doubt that $5 makes a significant difference. As far as Shakespeare in school goes, the only folks who remember it were the folks who were interested. I saved the best for last. You've claimed that nutriton education would make a difference under the assumption that the US doesn't do it. It turns out that most US public schools do nutrion education. It doesn't seem to have the effect that you predicted.... FWIW, I'll bet that Canadian public schools also have nutrition education. Ig so, it sure made an impression on you....

by anamax 17y ago

potatolicious 17y ago

> " In particular, you had information available while you were obese. You didn't stop being obese until you chose to act on the available information." I didn't have the information. The fact that nutritional education is practically free in Canada is not a well-publicized fact (most Canadians, even obese ones, are probably unaware). This is akin to claiming that some obscure website has some important factoid, meaning it is "available" to everyone. Technically true, but it doesn't mean people will even be aware that this information is available to them. Which is why I suggested making it mandatory in primary education - even subsidizing and making such services free means precious little if people aren't aware of the existence of such programs, or how powerful this information is. The works of Shakespeare are available freely just about anywhere you care to look, but we still roll this into our education system because, frankly, people will probably not go out of their way to learn it otherwise. For the greater benefit of society, critical information that everyone should know should be in the educational curriculum.

anamax 17y ago
What part of "eat less, exercise more" didn't you have? What part of "not so much fat, meat, and carbs" was unknown to you? This information isn't obscure or hard to find. In the US, we're inundated with it. Do you really believe that you'd have acted sooner if someone had given you the book earlier? Do you really want to hang your argument on "free"? (1) It's actually quite easy to find free nutrition info if you're interested. (2) It's even easier to find modestly priced info. I doubt that $5 makes a significant difference. As far as Shakespeare in school goes, the only folks who remember it were the folks who were interested. I saved the best for last. You've claimed that nutriton education would make a difference under the assumption that the US doesn't do it. It turns out that most US public schools do nutrion education. It doesn't seem to have the effect that you predicted.... FWIW, I'll bet that Canadian public schools also have nutrition education. Ig so, it sure made an impression on you....