Medifast - Take Shape For Life - Obesity is Not a Lifestyle Choice

WASHINGTON (AFP) � As adult obesity balloons in the United States, being overweight has become less of a health hazard and more of a lifestyle choice, the author of a new book argues.

"Obesity is a natural extension of an advancing economy. As you become a First World economy and you get all these labor-saving devices and low-cost, easily accessible foods, people are going to eat more and exercise less," health economist Eric Finkelstein told AFP.

In "The Fattening of America", published this month, Finkelstein says that adult obesity more than doubled in the United States between 1960 and 2004, rising from 13 percent to around 33 percent.

Globally, only Saudi Arabia fares worse than the United States in terms of the percentage of adults with a severe weight problem -- 35 percent of people in the oil-rich desert kingdom are classified as obese, the book says, citing data from the World Health Organization and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

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With the rising tide of obesity come health problems and an increased burden on the healthcare system and industry. "But the nasty side-effects of obesity aren't as nasty as they used to be," Finkelstein said.

"When you have a first-rate medical system that can cure the diseases that obesity promotes, you no longer need to worry so much about being obese," he told AFP.

Comments: Here's a guy who needs a reality check. This sounds like we are moving toward an acceptance of overweight and obese people as a natural extension of an advancing economy. Not that we shouldn't accept people, but thinking that overweight and obese people don't mind being, or want to be, overweight or obese is absurd, not to mention a death wish on the economic consequences to our health care system. The education that is missing in particular for the upcoming generation, about the detrimental effects of choosing fast foods, soft drinks, or other unhealthy and high-calorie foods and drinks over fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water, falls short of what is needed and certainly has to be increased to compete with the deceptive marketing done by corporate giants - ie. coke zero helps keep you hydrated. On another note, it is interesting how Saudi Arabia is second to the US in terms of percentages of adults with a severe weight problem. The interpretation could be made that being rich perpetuates laziness and gluttony, as those with hard labor jobs or ones that involve fitness training (i.e. athletes, trainers, and the like) might be less likely to be overweight. Either way, we can't think or spread the idea that our medical system is first-rate and therefore can more easily deal with the "problem". Our economic growth, personal growth, and even family health rests on the increase in knowledge and education and health of our society. Any other belief is dangerous to the existence of mankind!