Well, I put that NewScientist article up the other day, about the guy writing the Diet Delusion, and he raises a compelling point.

There are more things that factor into obesity than just the fact that someone is willing to sell you shitty food.

I think I love this country too. So much that I might have to move to Greece.

isn't one of the principle rules of dieting, don't go so long without eating that you're starving? so wouldn't that make the people fatter?

Also, in this vein maybe we can prevent stupid people from buying Jackass videos, money-wasting fashionistas from shopping the Last Chance sale at Nieman's, and plastic surgery bunnies from getting another nose job?

Regulation just leads to a black market y'all - we're going to end up with Big Mac mules and fry pushers out behind all the weight watchers.

@braak: exactly. you can't tell an obese person that they can't have an extra value meal-- because what if that's the only food they can afford? fresh fruits and veggies aren't cheap-- but "food" loaded with chemicals sure is!

Actually, I think it IS illegal (in my state) for a bartender to serve an obviously intoxicated person.

If someone said I was too fat to eat at a restaurant I would stop at the grocery on the way home and buy 3 tubs of ice cream to console myself with. I mean really, this is the stupidest idea.

Let's legislate us some more behavior modification. Protect me from myself!

What, are they going to make people step on a scale and measure their height? I doubt it. And they'd run themselves out of customers if they tried.

@kroliosis: OMG...i am an idiot...you said exactly that, MOE. Ignore me.

My head just exploded. Who gets to decide if you're too fat to eat? Is there a giant scale? Is it based on the waitresses opinion? Do we all get giant scarlet numbers to wear on our chests when we leave the house? Dear God I want to kill whoever thought this up.

So what, waitresses have to go pinching people's fat to see what their BMI is? Or you should just get it branded on your forehead? Sick, dudes.

In MISSISSIPPI? I predict the Chamber of Commerce will kill this one. There will be no one left to eat at all those charming Mississippi eateries.

So, do restaurants have to fire all their employees over a 30 BMI or do the employees have to bring their lunches since they're not allowed to eat the food? Nothing like unemployment to starve you down to "healthy".

So the way to curb obesity is to starve obese people? This would be discrimination, plain and simple. You can't refuse to serve people based on their weight.

Oh, that Mississippi. Always on the cutting edge of discrimination and hypocrisy.

@Pinkosaurus: OH MY GOD THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!

@kroliosis: Yeah and evidence of 'overserving' a drunk can be used in court in some areas too. Bartenders don't always make that call, though. I should know (I am a bit of a tippler, a toss-pot, if you will).

@J.D.Regent: Seriously. Is this a plan to destroy the food service industry in Mississippi? Cause there ain't too many NON obese people there.

This is complete BS for a variety of reasons. I think the whole BMI thing is BS too. I'm an average sized woman (on the thin side of that), but my BMI is 'higher' than it should be. The BMI is only accurate if you're a skinny minny white woman-- most average-sized black folks I know (myself included) are considered 'fat' by the BMI. So that's problem #1 of oh so many.

Dumb idea # 3,187,923. First of all, unlike alcohol, I don't think too many obese people are leaving restaurants and immediately crashing into others and killing them, unless they're blocking the driveway into Dunkin' Donuts. Second, if they can't overeat at a restaurant, they'll go to the supermarket, blow the money on even more food, and overeat at home. Third, even if this is somehow Constitutional, it will just drive the obese indoors where they will eat and eat and eat until TLC change it's name from The Learning Channel to The Shows About 500 Pound People Channel.

Say, I could get a job where I wear one of those polyester uniforms and brandish calipers right next to the counter. "Ma'am, I can help you over here".

Um, and how are they going to measure your BMI? Do you have to step on the fatty scale before you can order? What if it's drive through and you can't see my giant ass?

Not classy y'all.

This reminds me of that Daria episode where they are selling chocolates to that huge woman who I believe has a heart attack right in front of them.

Anyway, on the brink of a recession I would not think it wise for Mississippi to ban anything that could possible bring money into their economy. This is honestly one of the weirdest and most offensive things I've ever heard of. What if they want a fucking salad?

Also: I see a loss of revenue for the Mississippi Mud Pie.

Wouldn't this just promote yet more home deliveries of Pizza Hut, Dominos and whatever else? Banning fat people from restaurants will only bring misery on the establishments that have to now tell Sally Saddlebags and Larry Lovehandles because then they'd have lots of people looking to sue them for discrimination. Even if they get tossed out left and right, it would still be a pain in the ass. Stupid stupid stupid. If I was a fat bastard and wanted to stuff my craw with their swill, they better take my hard-earned money, and like it!

Seriously, if the state legislatures are going to take over managing my life for me, I'd like to be able to sue them when things don't go as planned, despite their best efforts. I mean, it's only fair, right?

@J.D.Regent: It's so true. Every restaraunt in the 'Sippi would go out of business. But that's cool, cuz pretty much the only places to eat there are chain places like Olive Garden and Chili's. Maybe all the Hooters can leave town so some mom & pop health food places can open up. Ahhhh, wishful thinking.

@blondegrlz: Oh, that would be so rage-inducing! If they had a giant scale, I mean! Make you get up on it in front of all the other customers...

'I'm sorry mam', you look like you might be edging on 30% BMI--please hop on the shame-o-scale 3000.'

Would the muscled-out football players be banned as well, or just the round-shaped people? Would there be a little silicone place mat telling me I must have this shape to order a side of tater tots? Would they still be allowed to hire fat people to work behind the counter?

@kroliosis: Hahahaha

discrimination lawsuit waiting to happen...actually could end up being good for overweight people in that it would give the courts an opportunity to say that discrimination against those of larger size is against the rules - either by classifying obesity as a form of disability or just stating that obese people are deserving of legal protection. That said I can't imagine the legislature, even the legislature of mississippi passing something so inane and likely to attract such an outcry...

@warmaiden: Not to mention barbecue and fried catfish.

Do you know what the obesity level in MS is?? Like that state isn't in enough economic trouble, you're now going to shut down every restaurant?? Why do I see a scrawny shrew of a republican behind this?

And forgive me if someone already said this (still doped up on cold medicine and a bit foggy today) but hasn't it already been established that BMI isn't a completely accurate indication of obesity? This is such ridiculous bullshit.

And seriously Mississippi, you got bigger problems than fat people. How about getting rid of the KKK?

I was born in Jackson. Fuck!

They should just require the restaurants to have smaller doors. Anybody who can't make it through the entrance doesn't get to eat.

We're getting closer and closer to Demolition Man. Remember that movie? Say what you will about Sandra Bullock and/or Sly, but it raised some interesting points about the state protecting us from ourselves and how it's not a good idea.

@BiscuitDoughJones: You know, Memphis would make a killing if Mississippi did this. People would be crossing the border for sausage and cheese plates.

Mmmmmm...sausage and cheese plate.

now i reeeeally want chicken and dumplings.

also, this is obviously retarded.

Why not instead ban items on all menus with over 30 grams of fat? What if a person starts with a BMI of 25 and eats a filet and fried onion at Outback everyday for 90 days? I have a feeling their BMI might jump to over 30, then what, they can't come in?!

Wow who would be the ones to enforce that? The teenagers who work at the restaurants? I can just see some tiny 15 year old girl telling a huge man that he must leave!

I've been to Germany and Greece and NO WAY are they fatter than us. All the heavier people I saw were tourists

Maybe some version of the sign at a carnival: "YOU MUST WEIGH THIS LITTLE TO EAT HERE"...?

@DorothyZbornak: You're absolutely right. BMI is bullshit.

OK, look, making fat guys pay for two seats in a plane because they would suffocate their neighbor is one thing, forbidding them to eat is another. THAT is absolute BULL.

If Mississipi does that, it will be a dangerous precedent.

@DorothyZbornak: Or removing the confederate flag from the state flag? And letting black people vote.

And good friggin' lord, do they not know that some already "dumpy" do their best not to eat in public because they don't want to be judged for being a fat fattie who's eating while fat?

@blackbirdfly: lol good one.

@DorothyZbornak: Actually fat people is probably one of Mississippi's biggest problems. Well, not really fat PEOPLE, but the conditions that lead to a whole lot of obese folks.

Obesity discrimination pisses me off. What are they gonna do? Sit in the doorway of the restaurant and measure people? What if it's a person on steroid treatments that has caused him/her to gain weight? What about pregnant women? Are they banned as well for eating for their fetus and subsequently putting on a few pounds? Is the family going to have to leave Grandma in the car because post-menopausal women tend to have more trouble metabolizing food? This is some bullshit. My grumpy levels just reached yellow alert.

Oh please. The fact that this is even a story is ridiculous (not that the story is HERE, just that it's even a thought in someone's tiny little brain). Legislate fatness?? wft? And to think I'm worried about my reproductive rights being taken away.

Plus Oprah is in MS now helping all those fatties...won't be a need to change any laws when she's through.