We recently had an interesting discussion in the Mind over Fatter yahoo group. One person posted:
My friend told me the past weekend that her cousin and her family of a husband and two children of younger than seven, are immigrating to New Zealand.
The cousin however was declared as too fat and can thus not qualify for citizenship. She only gets a visitors visa and has to come back after three months for at least a month at a time, during which time she can apply for another visitors visa.
If she loses enough weight she can reapply for conditional citizenship, however she will be monitored every four months for at least 5 years. If she gains weight and weighs more than the maximum they prescribe the conditional citizenship will expire!
While she still only has the 3 months visitors visa she is not allowed to take her children out the country with her when she leaves. Another contributor then added: I am also contemplating emigrating and a friend who recently emigrated to Australia said I should apply to them as they are more lenient when it comes to being overweight. Canada and New Zealand will not give entry to obese people, if you don't meet the recommended height/weight guideline forget about applying. His wife lost 40kgs following a high protein diet before they started their immigration process to save herself hurt and embarrassment.
While she still only has the 3 months visitors visa she is not allowed to take her children out the country with her when she leaves. Another contributor then added: I am also contemplating emigrating and a friend who recently emigrated to Australia said I should apply to them as they are more lenient when it comes to being overweight. Canada and New Zealand will not give entry to obese people, if you don't meet the recommended height/weight guideline forget about applying. His wife lost 40kgs following a high protein diet before they started their immigration process to save herself hurt and embarrassment.
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I wasn't aware of conditional citizenship! That's scary. Are you sure that's correct?
ReplyGosh -- this seems quite draconian to me. It's getting towards the "fat police" side of things. I can understand why Canada and New Zealand would want to make sure immigrants are in good health (to avoid burdening their hospitals etc), but this seems like a step too far.
Do you happen to know their definition of "obese"? If it's purely on BMI, it could penalise people with a high amount of muscle.
ReplyThat's pretty interesting. I had to have an extensive physical before getting Canadian permanent residence, and am pretty sure I would have been turned down for having AIDS or the like, but wasn't aware of BMI-related risks.
ReplyKeep in mind these are countries with nationalized health care. Imagine how outraged American taxpayers would be if the country were bringing in ill immigrants and then paying for their health care.
ReplyI'm afraid I don't know their definition of obese or have I been able to verify this for myself - I just thought it was an interesting/scary conversation to share with others and the two posters who had this conversation I've known for years and would rate as highly reputable.
We recently emigrated to the USA - and the only medical examination we had consisted of checking we'd had all our immunization shots, checking out lungs and a blood test for AIDS. We certainly weren't asked to stand on a scale. And as part of a recruiting team who brings pharmacists into the USA - I've been interested to note that pretty much as long as their is no infectious disease - there are no other conditions that would prevent someone from emigrating to the USA.
ReplyThat makes sense, since the USA doesn't pay for your healthcare if you get sick. Why would they care if you were at risk?
ReplyI have a friend who is seeking citizenship in NZ, and it seems to be based on a full examination by a GP including waist circumference, weight, body fat ratio.
ReplyPlease site your sources on where you've seen proof that Canada and New Zealand bans obese people from immigrating. I personally know one very obese woman that has immigrated successfully to Canada. And as an immigrant from the US to Canada the medical exam here that I experienced is fairly basic. Maybe it depends on which doctor performs the exam.
Also, the only mention of obesity in the medical practitioner handbooks for both countries is as a mention as sign of endocrine disorders that could tax the medical systems.
Canada Handbook
New Zealand Handbook
Also, most countries won't allow you to instantly become a citizen. You first have to become a legal permanent resident.
As for not being allowed to bring her children with her, most likely it's because their paperwork hasn't been processed and if they leave the applications will be concidered abandoned. Similar to the US.
It sounds like there's more to the story than this person being obese. Be careful what you quote.
ReplyI live in New Zealand (moved here from South Africa) and have never heard of an obesity issue for immigrants. In fact NZ has an obesity problem with all the Pacific Islanders that live here - they are just naturally big people.
ReplySo if you are too FAT to get into New Zealand you have to be pretty fat.
When we came here 10 years ago from Africa we didn't even have to do an Aids test.
maybe they have since tightened up on a lot of things.
Here is another article about this--I'm not sure if it is the same family, but it does seem to confirm that the original story may be true:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/lifestyle/brit-mans-wife-too-fat-to-join-him-in-new-zealand_1005624.html
ReplyI think this makes perfect sense. Some of these countries provide free medical care and America doesn't. Ok, a high percentage of health problems are caused by obesity. Now, how else would America's cardiologists, pharmacutical companies, weight loss companies, etc, etc get paid? By these countries eliminating the obese, they cut back on medical costs(which are free). Your welcome for the reality check.
ReplyUnfortunately this is all too painfully true.
I've got a job offer in New Zealand, and applied to get my job visa which should be no problem.
I go to the gym a lot - about 3-4 times a week. I have normal blood pressure, cholesterol and do not have diabetes.
I've worked hard to drop my BMI from 39.0 to 35.37
I've just been told today that my visa is being rejected simply due to that BMI figure being .37 over their magic number of 35.0
Reply