The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic is More Harmful Than Malnutrition
Obesity could be as economically damaging, worldwide, as malnutrition, which reduces the production of poorer countries by as much as 3 percent.
Even now, 6 percent of health costs in Europe and Central Asia are a result of obesity in adults.
In 1992, obesity cost France $12.1 billion in direct costs alone, and in 2000 obesity cost the state of California $22 billion.
Obesity also reduces life expectancy, which also has an effect on the economy. A recent study predicted that men could live five years less by 2050.
In response to these and other figures, European health ministers from 53 countries have approved the world's first charter to fight obesity, drafted by the World Health Organization.
The WHO charter aims to reverse the trend of increasing obesity by 2015. One of the charter's more controversial clauses is an obligation for legislation requiring private businesses to limit the marketing of fatty, sugary foods to children.
Obesity has tripled over the course of the last 20 years, and 10 percent of children and 20 percent of adults will be obese in Europe and Central Asia by 2010 if present trends continue.
Yahoo News November 15, 2006
CBS News November 16, 2006
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
Last year, I used the word globesity, a word coined by the World Health Organization, that very aptly describes the reach of an epidemic that is harming the health of so many people, young and old, around the world.
A recent study found that the number of overweight people exceeds the number who go hungry by 20 percent, and the problem is only getting worse with time.
Unfortunately, some solutions, such as higher taxes on soft drinks, are unlikely to fly in America.
Encouraging patients to make simple lifestyle changes and give them the help they need -- without drugs or surgery -- is a more lasting, powerful means to eradicate obesity quickly and efficiently.
You may not realize that you can now comment AND vote on articles at Vital Votes. Your participation will actually help select the articles that are sent out in this newsletter. And if your comments are good enough they will be posted in the newsletter.
If you aren't registered make sure you do so. Register now at Vital Votes. You have a chance of having your comment posted like Tom Male from Grandview, Ohio who made these excellent points:
"The obesity epidemic is not rooted in human gluttony, but rather human slothfulness.
People, quite simply, are too lazy to live healthfully, and I'm not referring to the general lack of exercise among the general population.
If people ate well they would avoid obesity without regimented exercise. Certainly, moderate exercise would improve their health even more, but exercise in itself is not the answer to physical fitness.
A natural whole food diet, eliminating all processed and refined 'foods' (they are not food).
If people would simply stop buying, and consuming 'convenient' foods and 'fast' foods they would experience a remarkable health recovery ... guaranteed.
Eat only whole foods. Prepared, highly refined, and processed food are just about all you find on the grocery shelves ... likewise with almost all restaurant fare.
THAT IS WHAT IS STARVING OUR BODIES, WHILE MAKING US OBESE IN AT THE SAME TIME!"
... Getting healthy and staying healthy can be a lot of work, but it is fun not being so lazy. Shopping for real food is worth the work.
I feel great and I will never go back to the place I was. And just for the record, I spend less on food now than when I was buying prepared convenience foods.
Even though organic foods are pricier than the factory farm products, they cost me less because I don't have to ingest as much to sate my hunger. I buy fresh vegetables and fruit every other day."
A chiropractor pointed out the following:
"It perhaps depends on how one wishes to define being malnourished, but I find most obese people are also malnourished.
In order to achieve optimum health one must be nourished well according to his/her genetic and environmental demands. In order to treat obesity, you must really treat the less than optimum nutritional status of the individual, not just cut calories."
I definitely agree, which is why I recommend fine-tuning your diet to meet your body's unique nutritional needs with metabolic typing.
Even now, 6 percent of health costs in Europe and Central Asia are a result of obesity in adults.
In 1992, obesity cost France $12.1 billion in direct costs alone, and in 2000 obesity cost the state of California $22 billion.
Obesity also reduces life expectancy, which also has an effect on the economy. A recent study predicted that men could live five years less by 2050.
In response to these and other figures, European health ministers from 53 countries have approved the world's first charter to fight obesity, drafted by the World Health Organization.
The WHO charter aims to reverse the trend of increasing obesity by 2015. One of the charter's more controversial clauses is an obligation for legislation requiring private businesses to limit the marketing of fatty, sugary foods to children.
Obesity has tripled over the course of the last 20 years, and 10 percent of children and 20 percent of adults will be obese in Europe and Central Asia by 2010 if present trends continue.
Yahoo News November 15, 2006
CBS News November 16, 2006
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
Last year, I used the word globesity, a word coined by the World Health Organization, that very aptly describes the reach of an epidemic that is harming the health of so many people, young and old, around the world.
A recent study found that the number of overweight people exceeds the number who go hungry by 20 percent, and the problem is only getting worse with time.
Unfortunately, some solutions, such as higher taxes on soft drinks, are unlikely to fly in America.
Encouraging patients to make simple lifestyle changes and give them the help they need -- without drugs or surgery -- is a more lasting, powerful means to eradicate obesity quickly and efficiently.
You may not realize that you can now comment AND vote on articles at Vital Votes. Your participation will actually help select the articles that are sent out in this newsletter. And if your comments are good enough they will be posted in the newsletter.
If you aren't registered make sure you do so. Register now at Vital Votes. You have a chance of having your comment posted like Tom Male from Grandview, Ohio who made these excellent points:
"The obesity epidemic is not rooted in human gluttony, but rather human slothfulness.
People, quite simply, are too lazy to live healthfully, and I'm not referring to the general lack of exercise among the general population.
If people ate well they would avoid obesity without regimented exercise. Certainly, moderate exercise would improve their health even more, but exercise in itself is not the answer to physical fitness.
A natural whole food diet, eliminating all processed and refined 'foods' (they are not food).
If people would simply stop buying, and consuming 'convenient' foods and 'fast' foods they would experience a remarkable health recovery ... guaranteed.
Eat only whole foods. Prepared, highly refined, and processed food are just about all you find on the grocery shelves ... likewise with almost all restaurant fare.
THAT IS WHAT IS STARVING OUR BODIES, WHILE MAKING US OBESE IN AT THE SAME TIME!"
... Getting healthy and staying healthy can be a lot of work, but it is fun not being so lazy. Shopping for real food is worth the work.
I feel great and I will never go back to the place I was. And just for the record, I spend less on food now than when I was buying prepared convenience foods.
Even though organic foods are pricier than the factory farm products, they cost me less because I don't have to ingest as much to sate my hunger. I buy fresh vegetables and fruit every other day."
A chiropractor pointed out the following:
"It perhaps depends on how one wishes to define being malnourished, but I find most obese people are also malnourished.
In order to achieve optimum health one must be nourished well according to his/her genetic and environmental demands. In order to treat obesity, you must really treat the less than optimum nutritional status of the individual, not just cut calories."
I definitely agree, which is why I recommend fine-tuning your diet to meet your body's unique nutritional needs with metabolic typing.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home