U.S. Obesity Rate Rose Last Year

Reading article "U.S. Obesity Rate Rose Last Year" - Reply to this / 2 comment(s)
Yes, I know, the article is about the US, but I'm sure it's similar here (and we're about to launch in the US anyway!)

I wonder just how much of this links into more people being driven around in cars. It would be interesting to see a study between car ownership and the obesity rate in the US and the UK. We need to learn lessons from the UK and US and then apply them to countries such as India and parts of Africa that are developing rapidly, more western food is available (often fattier than their traditional food) and car ownership is on the up.

Having said that, it's interesting that:

"... the five states with the highest obesity rates -- Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana and Kentucky -- exhibit much higher rates of poverty than the national norm."

nearly 30% of people being officially obese is pretty horrific - in the UK it's approaching similar levels.. just think of how much that costs everyone. I know that setting maximum levels of fats, banning, certain ingredients etc is something that many think of as "big brother is watching" and of the government having too much control, but it's only by doing things like that that there will be any long term impact and it will save money in the long term (or at least prevent health care costs from rising so steeply).

I also think that there should be a lot more exercise encouraged in schools - I know I didn't enjoy a lot of the sports sessions at school, but at least it meant I got some exercise and I don't remember anyone at my secondary school being over weight.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115685747163348... 

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1. Re: U.S. Obesity Rate Rose Last Year by ecosrights, 862 days ago

   You'll find some worrying figures about the UK here in the Guardian where they are saying that forecasts are that over 60% of people will be overweight or obese in the UK in the next 4 years. That's a lot!
   
   1 in 5 children are expected to be obese by 2010.
   
   in a related article, the Guardian says that the National Obesity Forum has called for a ban on all junk food advertising prior to the watershed - it's a start. My question is how do they define "junk food".... and with so many kids having their own TVs, people having Sky+ and such like, does this ban really make that much difference?

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2. Re: U.S. Obesity Rate Rose Last Year by ninikins, 858 days ago

   I dont think that we can blame SkyTv but families need to get up and get goign instead of hanging around in front of the tv all day.

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