Do we need fat police?

If you were living in Japan, you'd feel more than frustrated if you couldn't fit into your size-12 jeans. Their government has just introduced compulsory fat checks for over-40s; if their waistline exceeds 90cm, they're told to lose weight, see a doctor and pay more for health care. But could drastic measures like this help our government do something about the 60% of us who are overweight or obese?

'As a population we're getting heavier, so in theory compulsory fat tests are a good idea,' says GP Kate Saffin. But people don't tend to respond well to being told what to do. So could voluntary health assessments be the answer? The UK government has launched a program of health checks for anyone aged 40-74. They'll check everything from weight problems to illness like heart disease and diabetes, and it's predicted these checks could save 2,000 lives annually.

Until a similar scheme is piloted in Australia, your GP is the best place to start if you're planning a lifestyle overhaul, it's never too late!