From: Peggy <naafa_pr@...>
Subject: [Naafa News] CDC Website Promotes Discrimination
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 6:30 PM


CDC Website Promotes Discrimination

For Immediate Release
July 7, 2009

Oakland, CA – The CDC's introduction of an "Obesity Cost Calculator" on their
LEAN Works! Website will undoubtedly increase workplace discrimination against
employees of size and especially harm people of color due to differences in
weight distribution and genetic predispositions to body size.  NAAFA, a civil
rights organization working to improve the lives of people of size, urges the
CDC to remove this tool, based on a flawed formula, from their website and
instead encourage employers to promote wellness programs based on Health at
Every Size principles.

NAAFA believes that good nutrition and enjoyable physical activity is good for
every body regardless of the size of that body and that the weight or BMI of an
individual is not an indicator of one's health.

Employers collecting private data from employees to estimate the cost of said
employee simply encourages that employer to "cut costs" by eliminating certain
employees and refusing to hire new employees who may appear to have similar
physical characteristics.  This practice encourages discrimination against
minority employees in particular who have a prevalence toward higher weight and
larger body sizes.

Recent studies indicate that people of higher weights are just as heart healthy
on average as people in the "so called ideal weight range".  Studies from the
CDC itself indicate that people in the "overweight" BMI category actually live
longer than those in the "ideal weight" range.  These studies have been
recently supported by studies from both Japan and Canada. 

There is no scientific data to support the CDC claim that those who are larger
use more healthcare services and it's impossible for the Obesity Cost Calculator
to be accurate.  Use of such a tool does a disservice to the business community
by spreading misinformation, reinforcing prejudicial stereotypes and promoting
further discrimination against an already marginalized group of people.

Founded in 1969, NAAFA is a non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to
improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate
discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for
self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and member support.
 
On the web:  http://www.naafa.org
             
For more information contact:
Peggy Howell, Public Relations Director, NAAFA
email:  naafa_pr@...


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