Mexico's Latest Style To Beat The Obesity Outbreak: Induce Passengers Do Squats For Free Subway Tickets
Kate Carter: The country is one of the worlds fattest nations, but can making people do 10 squattings in exchange for a metro ride be anything more than a gimmick?
In 2013, Mexico squeezed past the United States to become one of the fattest nations on the planet with 32.8% of the population classified as obese, according to a UN report. In response, its government announced a hefty tax on sugary drinkings. Now, though, it is getting a bit more creative, and installing 30 motion-sensitive machines at subway stations that will dispense a free ticket to anyone who completes 10 squats.
Incentive-driven approaches to opposing obesity basically paying people to lose weight are not new, though anyone hoping to profit on their new year diet might want to move to Dubai , where, in 2013, the governmental forces offered its citizens 1 gram of gold for every 1kg( 2.2 lbs) they lost.
More importantly, such incentives appear to work studies have shown that financial rewards are an effective motive for weight loss. So combining a spot of exercising with saving fund on that universal grind, the daily commute, is perhaps less gimmicky than it appears.
But will it genuinely make any difference? A basic squat involves moving into a crouching stance, sticking the bottom out, heels down, weight centred over your feet, and up again. Its perhaps not the most dignified move to build in a crowded station, but a brilliant exercising for the legs and core.
There are endless variations on the humble squat, from leap squattings to lumping huge weights on your back officials in Mexico City should definitely consider giving an upgrade to anyone who can manage those squattings with a suitcase on each arm.
Ten squats a day, however, is a fairly low baseline and unlikely to burn more than a handful of calories. What it might do and this, you imagine, is the governments hope is start a virtuous circle. If you have knocked off your 10 squattings, you might opt for the stairs over the lift, or stroll a little further than usual on the way home.
One Russian station tried a similar notion before the Sochi Winter Olympics though the exchange rate there was a less favourable 30 squattings per ride. Obesity rates in the UK are the highest in Europe, so might London Transport consider the same approach? The press office, alas, devotes short shrift to the idea. Errr , no, tells a spokesman.
Then again, Mexico Citys subway tickets cost five pesos( 22 p ), the equivalent of two squattings per peso. A peak zone 1-only ticket with an Oyster card in London is currently 2.30 around 50 pesos. So thats 100 squattings, 200 for a return, or a whopping 515 squattings for an 11.70 zone 1-6 travelcard. And you probably wouldnt even get a seat either.
Read more: www.theguardian.com
Mexico's Latest Style To Beat The Obesity Outbreak: Induce Passengers Do Squats For Free Subway Tickets
Mexico's Latest Style To Beat The Obesity Outbreak: Induce Passengers Do Squats For Free Subway Tickets
Mexico's Latest Style To Beat The Obesity Outbreak: Induce Passengers Do Squats For Free Subway Tickets
Mexico's Latest Style To Beat The Obesity Outbreak: Induce Passengers Do Squats For Free Subway Tickets
Mexico's Latest Style To Beat The Obesity Outbreak: Induce Passengers Do Squats For Free Subway Tickets