Britain rewards citizens for working out

From: Becca Smith

The Christian Science Monitor reported Friday that in order to combat the rising obesity levels, Britain is investing $45 million into a program that monitors exercising. Nine different cities, now known as 'health towns,' are implementing a program where citizens will carry an electronic tag. The tags will work like a Dominick's Fresh Values or Jewel Preferred Card. When a citizen of a health town goes to a public park to work out, they can swipe the tag at various access points to log the distance they have covered and it will calculate the calories burned. Points will also be awarded for healthy grocery shopping. The tag will accumulate points based on how much its owner exercises (and extra points are rewarded if a work out is done everyday). Users can redeem the points for clothes, shoes, and even a day at the pool.

CSM reported that the program started because Britain's "obesity levels are among the highest in Europe. Over the past decade the obesity rate has risen by 50 percent, and now nearly a quarter of British adults are considered obese." Even though people understand that obesity is an important issue, some people are skeptical that the government is getting involved with its citizens fitness. Fast food business owners are also upset because it could send them out of business.