Nowadays even getting medical advice TO lose weight is becoming a rarity. Most folks will be given blood pressure pills and a whole host of nice expensive pharmaceuticals rather than be told to "eat less and walk more".... good advice but unfortunately it's not very profitable is it?

Anywho, I think you're bang on the money but the problem is much deeper. Sedentary lifestyles coupled with ridiculously high-calorie foods have become very deeply ingrained in our culture. Living up north, thankfully has given me a very active lifestyle- the only time I fire up the jeep is on the weekends to get groceries, other than that the rest of the week I'm on foot. But just recently I was in Los Angeles for work and it really opened my eyes to what Americans have to contend with!

In the course of a week I gained at least a couple of pounds, easily. Outside of work (which was in an office) the only activities were eating and driving, followed by more eating and driving. Each night, I didn't fall asleep in my hotel room but rather passed out in a sort of food coma. After living that lifestyle for just a few days I can completely understand how and why it's so easy to get overweight and stay that way.... it's almost like the deck is stacked against you otherwise!  

Excellent point!

My doctor (at a HMO, even) literally told/prescribed me to get 150 minutes of exercise a week and scheduled me with a dietician. I think it varies. But the trick too is that doctors are likely giving up on patients not listening to them, and going with things that they'll actually do.

Chikahiro, I bet it would cost less for insurance to pay for a gym membership than a lot of the medications out there!

I am overweight as well. I have bad eating habits but thank God it's not to the point of being obese. Recently I noticed signs of possible high blood preasure and find myself reconsidering my eating habits. But it's not easy. Avoiding that which you love for things you either never eat, don't like or might keep you hungry still is no piece of cake.

It's my opinion that money is oart of the problem. Have you ever noticed how often (when it comes toour health) the things you like are usually cheap while the things you need are usually expensive? Fast Food dollar menus versus $100 a month gyms, $10 meals at restaurant vs twice the price organic foods.

You know, that would be a fantastic idea. It's interesting to see that the Gov't wants to give so much to everyone for free but they don't pick thing that would actually be beneficial to us. Why not make gyms part of insurance? Why not make vitamins part of insurance?

there are all sorts of coverages for drug rehab and mental health.  Why not have coverage for physical training and nutritional education?  I think a lot of people have no idea what hey are putting in their bodies and if they do they don't know what it does to their body.  Most have heard that High Fructose Corn Syrup is bad (except for according to corn growers) and that hydrogenated oils are bad but how many know what exactly they are and why they are bad?

I don't know.  I think we know when we are not making healthy choices.  We all know that grilled chicke and steamed broccoli are better for us than fried foods or pizza.  I also think we know if we are fat.  We don't need the doctor to tell us.  It's a big problem.   Even those who succeed at getting the weight off, I think it is an extremely low percentage that actually keep it off.  I don't think there are any easy answers.