The growing pains of modern society as it awkwardly adapts to an expanding obesity problem.
• In 2009 Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) refused to cover Alex Lange because he had a pre-existing condition: obesity. Alex’s parents were furious. Why? “He’s only four months old,” said his father, Bernie, to reporters. “He’s breast-feeding. We can’t put him on the Atkins diet or on a treadmill.” Amidst all the negative press (“RMHP Denies Healthy but Big Baby!”), the company explained that it had a relatively new process of determining which babies are most “insurable”—and at 17 pounds, Alex didn’t make that list. RMHP has since changed its policy to insure any healthy baby regardless of weight. The Langes’ “happy little chunky monkey” is now covered.
• In 2006 Lincoln University in Pennsylvania instituted a new graduation requirement: a three-credit “Fitness for Life” class. But the only students required to take it are the ones who are certified as clinically obese. Lincoln student and school newspaper editor Tiana Lawson, who, according to the rules, had to take the course, wrote, “I came here to get an education, which is something I have been doing quite well, despite the fact that I have a slightly high body mass index.” The head of Lincoln’s physical education department defended the Fitness for Life requirement (which consists of Tae Bo, aerobic dance, and water aerobics): “We as educators must tell students when certain factors are going to hinder them from achieving and maximizing life goals.” So far, about 600 students have had to take Fitness for Life.
• The Topeka, Kansas, branch of American Medical Response, one of the biggest ambulance companies in the United States, began charging extra in 2009 for “larger” patients. Now, if you’re picked up by an AMR ambulance and weigh more than 350 pounds, you’ll be billed for a $543 surcharge. AMR claims that they respond to so many calls from overweight people experiencing medical emergencies that they’ve had to spend thousands of dollars on winches, hoists, and extra-large, reinforced cots.
On February 8, 2000, the meaning of life was auctioned on eBay. Winning bid: $3.26.