Why is there a need for an anti-obesity law when there is no guarantee skinny people are a healthier lot?
This was among the responses from those on the "heavier side" regarding the Health Ministry's intention to enact an Anti-Obesity Act by 2020.
Pauline Wong of Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, said the law will clearly discriminate against big-sized people.
"It's not fair. If they want to institute such a law, they have to also include a bylaw that allows discriminated people to sue the companies or organisations which discriminate against them," said the 25-year-old journalist.
Wong said employers who judge people based on their physical appearance as opposed to ability and productivity, would appear less attractive to other potential employees.
Wong also said an anti-obesity law is an infringement of human rights.
"Everyone has the right to look the way they choose. If you determine shape and size for everyone, it negates their rights," she said.
Nevertheless, Wong agrees such an act has its positives.
"Obesity is rampant and is a serious problem and this Act could help address it. After all, a healthy employee is a productive one.
"Being too skinny is not healthy either. My mother's friend died of a heart attack at 45 and she was very skinny. Almost 70 per cent of her arteries were clogged with fat."
As such, Wong opined that if the Act is enacted, it should instead be called 'Healthy Employees Act'.
Another overweight person who wants to be known as 'G', also felt the Act would be unfair, biased and discriminatory.
"It's ridiculous. If a qualified person is denied the opportunity to work simply because the waist circumference is bigger than average, what's the point of him studying so hard in school? Just to be denied his dream job?," said the 35-year-old, a mixed rice shop operator and a mother of five.
"Often, people are overweight because of some genetic problem. They may eat healthily but are still plump. What's the government's plan for cases like these? If our children cannot find jobs just because they are obese, will that mean parents like me have to take care of them forever?"
She said the importance of healthy eating and being lean should instead be emphasised in schools.
However, Tufayl Abdul Manap, 27, felt the act would benefit obese people like him.
"Malaysia is a country with food-loving communities. Many of us also snack and sit in front of our computers without much activity and this causes us to put on more weight," said the cook from Kelana Jaya.
"People try to lose weight but fail miserably, so the Act might help push them towards not being obese. After all, there's a thin person inside every fat person."
A local daily reported that Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman acknowledged the fact the country was not ready for such a law anytime soon, until perhaps 2020. As such, the ministry would prepare public acceptance through education and awareness campaigns.
He had said the law would help reduce the high obesity rate and occurrence of related diseases.
It was reported that the proposed anti-obesity law would most likely be modeled after Japan's national anti-obesity law which came into effect in 2008.
Its provisions include measuring the waistlines of employees between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual medical check-up.
In Japan, companies face stiff penalties if their employees' waistlines exceed 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women.
Employees who fail to reduce their waistlines have to undergo counselling, while the employer would have to contribute to a health care programme for the elderly.
Nothing wrong with being fat, says Adibah Noor
THE anti-obesity law proposed by the Health Ministry is akin to saying it is wrong to be fat.
This is the opinion of comedienne-cum-singer Adibah Noor, one of the most prominent plus-sized celebrities in the country.
Adibah said society is slowly accepting people for their talents and skills as opposed to physical appearance and the implementation of such a law would be regressive.
"People like me have to work hard to establish our footprints in showbiz and such an Act would make it even more difficult," she said.
"I have chubby fans who complain they are qualified for certain jobs but are rejected because of their weight. To people like us, I tell them to put their foot down and claim what is rightfully theirs."
Adibah said even though she is not offended by the proposed Act, it would be tough on most obese people.
"Many of us are emotional eaters and this Act might make us more depressed. Many obese children will be scarred by constant teasing by their peers and when they enter the workforce, they have to abide by this Act?" she asked.
She pointed out skinny employees can be as unhealthy as their obese colleagues.
"Sometimes, employees on the heavier side take less medical leave than their more slender colleagues," she said.
"So, why not make the Act one that benefits the general health and well-being of everyone? Make it a Health Act instead of an Anti-Obesity Act."
