Category Archives: Health

Joules – rare but minor progress for metrication

After many recent setbacks, it is pleasing to report a small but significant bit of progress in the long campaign to make the metric system (SI) the default system of measurement in the UK.  This minor (but perhaps somewhat pyrrhic) … Continue reading

Posted in Consumer affairs, Health, Science, Technical | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

Why is it important to weigh ourselves in kg?

The measurement mess in Britain is in itself reason enough for the discontinued use of stones and pounds for personal body mass (commonly weight), but is there a case for using kilograms that goes beyond this? This article proposes that … Continue reading

Posted in General, Health | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

A UK metric time line from 1980

In June last year, we published a time line up to 1980 showing progress towards the adoption of a single, simple, logical and coherent measurement system in the British Isles. We now bring this story up to date.

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, Health, History, Law, Road signs, Science, Sport, Technical | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Cardinals Hat calls time

A pub in Worcester, that for ten years served draught beer by the litre, has now closed due to rising costs.

Posted in Consumer affairs, Health, Law | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Two enduring controversies are highlighted by a food labelling consultation

A recent consultation by the UK Department of Health about food labelling has drawn attention to two long-standing issues, both relating to food energy and the calorie.

Posted in Consumer affairs, Health, Science | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

A metric time line for the UK

Metric Views has attempted to produce a timeline showing progress in the British Isles towards the adoption of a single, simple, rational and coherent measurement system. This article takes the story up to 1980 – the events of the past thirty … Continue reading

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, Health, History, Law, Science, Technical | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Understanding body weight and height in metric units

It was inevitable that the selection of London to host the Olympic Games would bring into focus some of the consequences of the UK’s measurement muddle. Metric Views looks at one aspect, the measurement of body height and weight, measured … Continue reading

Posted in Education, General, Health, Sport, World Records | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Prospects improve for food energy labelling using SI units

One of our readers wrote to Sainsbury’s to ask that guideline daily amounts (GDAs) of energy shown on packaging should be shown in kilojoules, the SI unit, as well as or instead of kilocalories. He has received a reply that … Continue reading

Posted in Consumer affairs, Health, Law, Science | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Why I became involved with measurement matters

One of our readers has written to explain why he became interested in the campaign to complete Britain’s prolonged metric changeover.

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, Health, Road signs, Science, Technical, Transport | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Bizarre 2/3 pint proposal to go ahead

Despite widespread ridicule, the Government has persisted with the previous Government’s barmy proposal to introduce a 2/3 pint measure for draught beer and cider.  Under the pretence of  “removing unnecessary red tape”, it has actually resisted calls for genuine deregulation.

Posted in Consumer affairs, General, Health | Tagged , , , , , , | 25 Comments