The Spring Festival is here, and with it comes the worry of “gaining three pounds during the holidays”. Obesity not only affects people's normal life and work, but also endangers health, safety and psychological state. You know, the existence of fat people has already attracted the attention of the government. In order to encourage weight loss, what "big tricks" have governments of various countries let go?

UK: Begins to tax companies that produce sugary drinks

Data map: The obesity rate among British women reaches 23%.

In March 2016, the then British Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne said that excessive consumption of sugary drinks can cause certain diseases. In order to "save the next generation", the UK will start taxing companies that produce sugary drinks. The "fat tax" is scheduled to be levied in April 2018 to give manufacturers enough time to adjust product formulas.

The British obesity rate ranks second among European countries, second only to Hungary. About 25% of Britons are obese, compared with the European average of 16.7%. The UK also has one of the highest sugar intakes in the West. A report released by Cancer Research UK in early 2016 pointed out that if current trends continue, nearly three-quarters of adults in the UK will be overweight or obese by 2035.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: You are responsible for losing weight, I am responsible for giving out gold

Data map: On July 19, 2013, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a participant in the "Lose Weight for Gold" event Weigh yourself. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Zhen

Dubai, whose living standards have deviated from the average level of the earth, is also very simple and crude in controlling the obesity rate.

In 2013, Dubai, United Arab Emirates launched the "Lose Weight for Gold" event. For every kilogram of weight lost, participants can receive one gram of gold, provided they lose at least two kilograms.

In 2014, Dubai once again held a weight loss and gold competition. Each child who successfully lost 1 kilogram could receive 1 gram of gold, worth about 31 euros. If the participating children are between the ages of 2 and 14, their rewards will be doubled.

However, there are reports that although this initiative does allow Dubai residents to successfully lose weight, for children, rapid weight loss may have serious consequences for metabolism.

Denmark: The first country in the world to impose a "fat tax"

Since 2011, Denmark has become the first country in the world to impose a "fat tax" to stimulate obese people. lose weight. According to the policy, consumers must pay an "obesity tax" of 16 Danish kroner per kilogram of saturated fat if they purchase food with a saturated fat content of more than 2.3%.

However, the investigation found that in the first year of the implementation of the "obesity tax", Danes paid an extra 200 million kronor to buy fat food, but did not change their consumption habits. The amount of high-fat, high-calorie foods purchased has not changed, but more options are being made for cheaper and perhaps less healthy products. In November 2012, the Danish Ministry of Taxation announced that they would abolish the "obesity tax" imposed more than a year ago on the grounds that the measure was too costly and failed to change the eating habits of the Danes.

Although the proportion of obese people in Denmark is less than 10%, slightly lower than the European average, the Danish Institute for Food and Economic Research pointed out that 4% of premature deaths in the country are due to excessive intake of Caused by saturated fat. Denmark was the first country to impose special taxes on foods that use trans fats. Denmark also imposes a separate tax on carbonated drinks, and has levied a special additional tax on candies for 90 years.

Japan: Waist circumference is too high and cannot go to work

Obesity has always been a personal matter, but in Japan it is a national matter. Japan was the first to legislate to control the obesity rate. s country.

The Japanese government implemented a law in 2008 to force local governments and companies to regularly measure the waist circumference of people aged 40 to 74, with the goal of reducing the obesity population by 25% within 7 years. The government has also set weight loss targets for residents and employees of relevant institutions, and institutions that fail to meet the standards will be fined.

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the waist circumference of men aged 40 to 74 should not exceed 33.5 inches (about 85 centimeters), and the waist circumference of women should not exceed 35.4 inches (about 90 centimeters). This is the international diabetes association for Japan. disease prevention regulations. If an overweight person also develops weight-related diseases, he or she will be required to lose weight. If the target is not reached after 3 months, he or she will need to receive weight loss advice. If he or she is still overweight after 6 months, he or she may need to receive weight loss re-education.

"What is your current body fat percentage?" has now become a frequently discussed topic among Japanese people. Many restaurants do not forget to advertise that they will not increase your body fat percentage.

United States: If you don’t lose weight, your boss will punish you without discussion

The United States passed a new medical bill in 2010, including allowing companies to implement punitive measures if employees’ health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight If you fail to meet the standards and do not improve your living habits, you may face fines. Many employers are very happy about this. Obese workers have higher health insurance costs and are more likely to take time off due to illness.

New Zealand: Driving away fat people from foreign countries

In New Zealand, obesity has become a threshold for applying for a visa.

In 2013, a citizen from South Africa was refused a renewed visa to New Zealand because he was overweight.

Immigration New Zealand says obese people place a burden on the country's health care system.

Data map: In May 2013, Albert Buitens’ application to renew his work visa was rejected because he was seriously overweight.

Coincidentally, in 2014, a British nurse weighing 134 kilograms was also rejected by the New Zealand Immigration Service for residency. The doctor who conducted the medical assessment believed that if the nurse had to live in New Zealand for four years, the medical expenses paid by the New Zealand government for her might be as high as NZ$25,000.

You should stop raising the average obesity level of our people here - the New Zealand government has openly expressed "malice" towards overweight people. It seems that if you want to go to New Zealand, you must first pay attention to your weight.