pro-obesity Melbourne?

I read this piece of news with interest. 

City of Yarra and several other municipalities are following the lead of five bayside councils, which recently moved to clamp down on boot camps that operate on beaches and foreshore parks.

But Yarra has gone a step further and proposed a ban on commercial exercise groups of more than six people from 18 public parks in Fitzroy, Clifton Hill and Richmond. Fitness classes will also be prohibited from exercising within 10 metres of playgrounds or 15 metres of picnic sheds and park benches. (Source: The Age)

This has incited much talk on the blog/forum on The Age. Personally, i think its not really justified these municipalities to impose fines. I mean, don’t you realise you Aussies are the fattest nation in the world?! The recent health report entitled “Australia’s Future ‘Fat Bomb’”  from Melbourne’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute show that 4 million Australians — or 26% of the adult population — are now obese compared to an estimated 25% of Americans. A further 5 million Australians are considered overweight. (Again, The Age reports this).(interestingly, Forbes reports in 2007 the overweight rates)

The report calls for a national weight loss strategy on the scale of smoking and skin cancer campaigns, including subsidising gym memberships and personal training sessions for heavier people. Wait lists for surgery could be prioritised on the basis of weight loss.

So it comes as a stark contrast to weight loss efforts when townships like Yarra want to fine commercial exercise groups. People are trying to exercise out in the nice spring/summer weather, out in the open, and fitness/personal trainers trying to make a living. You fine them for using public space? You might as well add an entry fee to a public park next time.

Let’s add a little balance to the argument: (by “100%” at The Age forum)

100% they should be made to pay!

Let’s be clear, this ban isnt on people just going for a run and going some pushups (an equally fine way to keep fit). It is on private businesses who use the parks “rent” free for personal wealth.

These trainers number one intention is to make money. They are not in business to help the public battle obesity.

Parks are incresingly expensive to run and some councils are forcing non private groups (eg. people who just recreationaly use parks) off the facilities.

Professional trainers who use the exepnsive facilities should have to pay for the right. Just like a healthy burger must pay more rent if it wants a prime large location that competes with mcDonalds, trainers should pay the councils.

Do not let them get of rent free.

Another visitor comments:

This is, quite frankly, ridiculous! Of course the trainer should have to pay – he’s running a commercial enterprise on a piece of land that our tax dollars pay to maintain. A portion of our income ends up going towards maintaining and running these parks, which is a wonderful thing – they’re an integral part of any community.

However, as Geoff said – “If I wanted to open a milk bar right on The Tan running track (next to the botanic gardens), I’d have to pay rent. If I run an outdoor gym, why should that be free?”

Perfect sense. I’m happy to contribute towards the maintenance of parks, but we should not have to subsidise a gym. The trainer isn’t doing this for the community – they’re doing it for the money! At the moment, these boot camps have almost zero in the way of overheads. They are a commercial enterprise, that contributes more to the degradation and use of our parkland, and they are profiting from the use of public space…

I’m sorry, but anyone who thinks they should be able to operate, free of charge, is a fool.

I used to think its battle of commercial interests. I realise now i am wrong. More like public space invaded by private fitness instructors. My simplistic view some time back was that the $1000 levy will force instructors to increase costs, and discourage people from signing up.  

Perhaps the only winners are the bariatric surgeons? Is public health addressing the obesity epidemic enough? Are policies and initiatives really effective? 

Thanks for reading, have a good day.