By John Kim MD MPH

Jul 22, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

[http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/]

Above is a link for WHO stating below points:

Globally, there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, at least 300 million of them obese.

Obesity and overweight pose a major risk for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer.

The key causes are increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in saturated fats and sugars, and reduced physical activity.

Obesity is the new epidemic of developed and developing nations that increases disease risks from diabetes to cancer. It is a side effect of the our way of living. And there is no easy way to correct.

Low carb diets may be more effective on the short-term. However, no diet is shown to work long term.

I believe the solution is has to engage in a comprehensive reform in similar way we tackled epidemics of infectious diseases by creating infrastructure such as clean water and food supply and sewage. We need to create a society where being healthy is easily achieved naturally, rather than blaming everything on an individual.

John Kim MD MPH
[www.georgiaintegrative.com]

By Dixie Dawg

Jul 21, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Steven, the north has just as many, maybe more rednecks as the south, you just don't have a name for them up there. I've worked for two company's that were based up north (MI and MN) and they have just as many or more fat and uneducated people as down here. However, because they are more the norm up there they don't realize they need help and worse, they think they got a good education when they can't spell their way out of a wet paper bag). Give it a rest and live in the real world, they don't call it the "rust belt" for nothing.

By pls

Jul 21, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Hey Steven,
Wait a minute. There are some states up north that can't be far behind. I know because I see the folks at the Walmart in PA! Their diets of cheese, sausage (and beer) may not be fried but it sure is fattening. And with their lack of fashion sense and no make-up for the women---it just seems worse!

By Steven

Jul 21, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

This does not suprise me at all. These poor southerners are lazy. The only thing they know how to do is drink beer and eat fatty foods. Maybe this is why they do so poor academically. Put down those fatty foods and that rebel flag and exercise.

By anthroview

Jul 21, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

Hey, bikeatlanta, I think twinkiecat1 has your answer how to reach #1!

By the way, folks, if you want to see the fattest people on the planet.one only needs to visit Disneyworld or Kennedy Space Center.

By COA

Jul 20, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

The funny thing about twinkie1cat is that there's absolutely no doubt that she's a woman. Even without mention of women's clothing sizes it would be obvious. Why are all the fat advocates women? Maybe women bear more of a social stigma from being overweight than men. But the fact is that men are much more likely to acknowledge that they are fat and that it's a problem than women are, even if they choose to do nothing about it.

By bertha

Jul 19, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Larger Americans: Isn't it harder to have sex if you're obese?

By Dixie Dawg

Jul 19, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

twinkie1cat, I feel sorry for you! My guess is you're one of those that order the diet soft drink with "biggie" fries and say it is "your bone type" or you are "big boned" and can't lose weight. Additionally, with all due respect you need to visit an eye doctor for some new glasses or contact lenses. Look at the number of children you'll see at the mall, Wal-Mart or just about anywhere that can't run to the end of their driveway and can't walk without their legs rubbing together. You are describing child abuse! We've got to stop worrying so much about being PC and call a duck a duck. Too many people are FAT and it needs to change. And for those that say "it's none of your business" I guess you are self insured? It is all of our business because we're all going to be paying for it with higher insurance rates, taxes, etc., that is how this country is. I hope you get some help.

By Dixie Dawg

Jul 19, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

It isn't so much our cultural foods as is often mention. While those may not help for the few of us that are from the south remember back to when we were growing up and you will not remember the huge number of overweight people. Of course there were a few but more people back then ate the traditional foods you are speaking of. Look at the fast food drive through's for your answer: 1) foods prepared away from the home are much worse for you 2) people today are too lazy to park their car and walk into the restaurant even though that is usually the faster way to go. When the lines are wrapped all the way around most fast food establishments you know that gas is still cheap and folks are lazy as h---! Additionally, "back in the day" as my son would say, when we ate a peice of peacan pie it wasn't the size of the whole plate. We ate desert more as a finish to the meal and most meals included veggies. Look at how many adults today don't eat veggies and worse yet how many allow their children to not eat them. Parents have allowed children to basically eat whatever they want and you can see the result in the size 34 waist pants on 12 year old "wide-bodied" kids. These same parents drive their children to the neighborhood swim and tennis clup instead of making them walk or ride their bikes (of course too many parents are too out of shape or lazy to ride or walk with them so their often all too happy to drive them). You also have drivers all over that don't realize that unless they are on an Interstate Highway they have to share the road with everyone, runners, walkers, cyclist, etc. Far too few drivers actually know the rules of the road and fewer yet follow them thus making people less likely to want to go out and excercise. Look at how many neighborhoods are built with narrow roads and no sidewalks - the same neighborhoods where minivans go 45 mph in order to get their overweight children to soccer practice. This is not rocket science folks. You've got to eat some veggies, fruit, drink some water and move a little; and you need a place to do it.

By glen

Jul 19, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

The U.S. is known as the Land of the Giants by travelers from overseas when they see Americans. I travel often to Bogota Colombia and will see only 4 overweight people in 4 days. It is a nice break not to see any overweight folks walking down the street holding a 64oz coke in their chubby fingers. Wake up America, get off the sugar laden cokes and do a no bread(low carb)diet. You only have one body.