Obesity "as bad as climate risk"!

[Ezzie.]

This is something quite close to my heart as I used to be fairly overweight but turned it round after realising what I was eating! But the sad thing is many people are not "seeing the light" and are continuing to consume vast amounts of really fatty foods =/

So give your opinions on the article below! :)


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7043639.stm



The public health threat posed by obesity in the UK is a "potential crisis on the scale of climate change", the health secretary has warned. Alan Johnson said the magnitude of the problem was becoming clear for the first time and "it is in everybody's interest to turn things round".
Details have emerged of a government study which says half the population could be obese within 25 years.
Ministers are drawing up a long-term action plan to tackle obesity.
Greater efforts
The government-commissioned Foresight report is expected to report on Wednesday.
It suggests the cost of the epidemic, in terms of health care provision and lost work hours, could reach £45bn a year by 2050, according to the Observer.
Professor Klim McPherson, of Oxford University, and Tim Marsh, of the National Heart Foundation, predict that within 15 years 86% of men will be overweight - but not necessarily obese - and within 20 years, 70% of women.
The study showed there had to be "further and faster" efforts beyond existing anti-obesity measures to encourage exercise and healthy eating, Mr Johnson said.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif We will only succeed if the problem is recognised, owned and addressed at every level and every part of society http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif


Alan Johnson, health secretary


Prime Minister Gordon Brown has backed a long-term action plan to fight obesity, funded by money earmarked in Tuesday's Comprehensive Spending Review.
The government is also due to ask the Food Standards Agency to probe the use of unhealthy "trans-fats", which have been linked to coronary heart disease, in fast food.
But Mr Johnson said individuals also had to take responsibility for their own health as part of a "cultural and societal shift".
He said: "There is no single solution to tackle obesity and it cannot be tackled by government action alone.
"We will only succeed if the problem is recognised, owned and addressed at every level and every part of society."
Ongoing challenges
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo told the BBC that a longer term view needed to be taken of the obesity issue.
She said: "The government has been doing a lot already in terms of healthy foods in schools, sports activity in schools, labelling of food, working with young people.
"This report was part of the development of our strategies.
"But the magnitude of the challenge if we don't act, what will happen in health terms for individuals and for our communities in 10, 20 years' time is really something we that we need to face up to, and that means looking at everything.
"The challenge is not just for health, it's about transport, education, about how we design our local communities, about whether we encourage people to walk to school for instance, or to work.
"We need a dramatic, long-term shift and that's what this report is making clear."

[FlyingJesus]

A worse problem than obesity is stress in my opinion. There are proven links between stress and not only mental health problems but physical - stressed people are prone to heart disease etc., and this can clearly be seen in some mediterranean countries. Italians and southern Frenchies drink eat and smoke all day long, but because they live relatively stress free lives (in general, of course not all of them are like that) they seem to live to like 200.

Therefore, I'd suggest that if you are overweight then by all means diet, but don't allow yourself to panic about it and don't make "getting thin" your entire lifestyle. Chillax.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I guess if it's as bad as climate change, then it's not bad at all as it doesn't exist :)


Anyway people will realise soon about the weight problems, it's just a thing which will pass I reckon.

[Ezzie.]

Hmm, yeah i agree on stress, it can cut your life by about 5-10 years i think i read once, which is pretty nuts, but obesity seems to be alot worse due to the fact that it'll basically cripple the country, whilst stress is an awful thing, there're workarounds in some occasions, but trying to convince someone who only eats fatty foods to stop is quite hard - just look at the u.s (i still love you retroguitar xD)

And about a passing fad.. hmm i dunno, i highly doubt it, tons of advertising on tv literally brainwashing kids to eat unhealthy foods, parents aren't seeming to care about their child's diet as much, it all seems like it's going to keep going and going until we get a huge back by the government to put up adverts on tv similar to the quit smoking adverts

[FlyingJesus]

There was some program on recently (I didn't watch it so could be wrong about some things) and some kid had only ever eaten junk food in her life. They like blindfolded her and made her eat a strawberry and she only knew what it was because it tasted "like strawberry flavoured food". It's pretty sad but also quite hilarious in my opinion, but then again I'm not really much for sympathy.

[Ezzie.]

There was some program on recently (I didn't watch it so could be wrong about some things) and some kid had only ever eaten junk food in her life. They like blindfolded her and made her eat a strawberry and she only knew what it was because it tasted "like strawberry flavoured food". It's pretty sad but also quite hilarious in my opinion, but then again I'm not really much for sympathy.

Heh yeah it is pretty sad how everything's just processed and nothing seems "real" anymore, and lmao, no you're not really one for sympathy :P

[Virgin Mary]

I have no sympathy. If people want to eat themselves to death then let them. They died doing what they wanted and what they presumably liked doing. It just counteracts over-populating anyway.

[Ezzie.]

That's abit of an out of touch view to be honest dude.. Have you seen the amount of advertisements on television brainwashing young children into buying their products? Heck just look at Mcdonalds, they're constantly releasing new things to try and capture the minds of young children, just look at that "a pizza hut a pizza hut kentuky fried chicken and a pizza hut" song, it's all brainwasing- you see it in adults too, in such a world where we don't need to go out and do hard labour to bring bread on the table we're seeming to just become ever-more lazy.=/

[Virgin Mary]

Then their parents should be killed for neglect by giving them the means to eat such food.

[Ezzie.]

But they're being brainwashed by advertisements and the media too?

Bah don't you see ¬_¬

[GommeInc]

I am not rude enough to comment on obese people. Let them live like they want to, if they are happy, let them stay that way. If they are unhappy, direct them to 'the light.' Also, is this argument with obese people who are storing fat, or with also people who have ligament/joint problems and don't excrete as much as they should?

[Ezzie.]

I am not rude enough to comment on obese people. Let them live like they want to, if they are happy, let them stay that way. If they are unhappy, direct them to 'the light.' Also, is this argument with obese people who are storing fat, or with also people who have ligament/joint problems and don't excrete as much as they should?

I think generally directed towards "fat" people, but meh.. fair enough fi they want to live like that.. but it's going to cost the country billions in healthcare for them "/

[Virgin Mary]

Yes, but if you're stupid enough to be "brainwashed" then whatever. It doesn't take a genius to know that mcdonalds isn't good for you, if you're going to eat it then it's your own fault. Everyone knows whatever's bad for you tastes good, if you can't resist it then that's just a shame. Sorry but only idiots are going to go and eat mcdonalds and expect to stay skinny.

[Ezzie.]

You're completely ignoring what i'm saying.. what about children, that're put infront of the tv, see a mcdonalds advert?

Oh yeah sorry.. i guess they should have the mature aspects of decision making and hey! why don't we make a count your calorie kit for 2 year olds...

See where i'm getting at? :s

[FlyingJesus]

I eat at McDonalds and I'm skinny.

[Virgin Mary]

I understand what you're saying but at the end of the day everything is your own responsibility. I'm all for banning adverts that promote unhealthy food, but at the end of the day it is your decision. Either the parent is buying their child this food or you buy it out of your own will. A child can see all the unhealthy food promotions and adverts in the world, but if they're never given or never have them then they won't be interested in them. There are plenty of adverts promoting healthy food but that evidently doesn't seem to be working to the same effect. I don't call mothers who bring their children mcdonalds or stick chocolate and cakes in their lunchbox brainwashed, I call them ignorant.

ETA: I also think you're taking what I'm saying in a negative light. I have nothing against overweight people. I just think it's pretty ignorant to say you've been brainwashed or blame something else if you've grown obese due to your eating habits. I feel the same towards smokers who get lung cancer. I understand addictions and everything, but surely having your life on the line is the last wake up call and if you're not gonna take that call then it's your own fault.

[lAdmire]

I have no sympathy. If people want to eat themselves to death then let them. They died doing what they wanted and what they presumably liked doing. It just counteracts over-populating anyway.

That's kinda wrong. No sympathy? But sometimes people eat themselves to death because they are over stressed. It may have nothing to do with a love for food or anything. Imo, I think that obesity is something that is very high in our society & we should have different things to support people who are obese. Such as confidence builders, support groups, etc. This can give lots motivation.

& parents who supply these kids with fattening foods & complain that their children are overweight have no sense. I'm sorry. Like on Maury when they have those episodes, they say because their kid will fight for it & they feel bad. Well, when your kid is dead at the age of 5 from heart problems, etc. you won't feel bad after all. You'll regret everything you've done.

I think if our society created more healthy advertisements, restaurants, etc. Like the same foods we eat but a healthier version, then it would attract more people. This way, we'd live in a healthier society. Why can't we be like the French? Except the part where the doorways are smaller so that a person doesn't become overweight, that part is dumb. But our society complains about obesity, etc., yet we advertise every unhealthy food you could think of.

[GommeInc]

What I don't understand, is why everyone who eats fatty food has to be fat. I eat fattening food, alot compared to my brother and I am a 32" waist. My brother on the other hand, its alot of healthy stuff and because of his ligament problems, he is big. I feel sorry for him.

[Technologic]

It's all mcdonalds fault...

If they didnt have so many adverts and stores there would not be all these rival chains everywhere, no adverts. Less fatt people

[jesus]

it sed by 2010(?), 50% of britains ppl will be obese

thats like =/

[whiziz]

its their life let people do what they want govermant dont care mdonalds dont care they get millions of pounds from it

[jesus]

but then they all die sooner/cost the NHS loads.

[Cresendo]

Obesity is another disease, you can cure it, but it wont go down.

[:Liam]

I guess if it's as bad as climate change, then it's not bad at all as it doesn't exist :)


Anyway people will realise soon about the weight problems, it's just a thing which will pass I reckon.

LOL exactly what I was thinking!

[Browney]

Well, I'm borderline over-weight and to be honest I don't care I am. I'm enjoying food too much. I'd rather live a short chilled out life than panic that I'm fat. Of course I'll make healthier choices now and then, but I'm not gonna panic into jogging for 30 minutes everyday.

[g]

You should blame, any kind of gaming including habbo, runescape, next gen consoles etc because people who just live there and play on it all day just vegitating themselves,

[Ezzie.]

I don't really agree bwfc, the hardcore players yeah, but most people just go on for a few hours to mess about/have fun, i think there's a multitude of things to blame to be honest

[HotelUser]

I don't understand how some people can consume the amount of unhealthy foods that they do. Though it is not up to the government to stop people, and fast food restaurants don't have the responsibility to tell people their food is fattening. All they have to do is include the ingredients in their food on a list displayed to the public.
Where I live, there is more over-weight females than there are males.

[Ezzie.]

I went to florida for summer.. my lord.... ¬_¬

It was gob smacking.. some of the people were on scooters they were so huge! I'm not trying to be offensive but COME ON! if they had a condition yes, but i highly doubt that about 100 people all suffered from a condition which made their muscles/fat tissue larger, it was evermore annoying as my mum couldn't get a scooter and she's disabled which is another issue i wont in too

[Virgin Mary]

They should just remove any fast food restaurants including Subway - let's face it, carbs are fattening. They should just sell fruits and vegetables in shops and people can have them, that'll stop obesity.

[Ezzie.]

lol.. that's a silly ideal made by the atkins diet, our main percentage of nutrients should be carbs, every vegetable has carbs in it soo..

[Virgin Mary]

Then just don't let obese people eat anymore fattening food, e.g. chocolate, sweets, mcdonalds etc. It'll be like age bans but more of a weight ban.

[Browney]

I miss our vegetarian debates in the food section, Emzie. :P

And I find it a personal choice, not brain washing to be bought by these adverts.

[Ezzie.]

I miss our vegetarian debates in the food section, Emzie. :P

And I find it a personal choice, not brain washing to be bought by these adverts.

Lol they sure looked fun xD... and i'll just say that if obese people went vegetarian they sure as hell wouldn't be obese for long, if they ate a correct lifestyle of course! But that's slightly off-topic ;D

About a personal choice.. aye, ofcourse its a personal choice unless they have an eating disorder, but advertisements are almost like the little devil in the back of your brain like in cartoons, "go on one more cake.. it's so delicious" etc.

[:Liam]

They should just remove any fast food restaurants including Subway - let's face it, carbs are fattening. They should just sell fruits and vegetables in shops and people can have them, that'll stop obesity.
Theres a huge flaw in that theory. Carbohydrates are our main source of energy.

[Virgin Mary]

Theres a huge flaw in that theory. Carbohydrates are our main source of energy.
I know, I'm exaggerating and being ironic.

[GommeInc]

Lol they sure looked fun xD... and i'll just say that if obese people went vegetarian they sure as hell wouldn't be obese for long, if they ate a correct lifestyle of course! But that's slightly off-topic ;D
Most things have no meat in, they'll still be fat. Sweets, chocolate etc can still be eaten by vegetarian fatties. The argument is with moderation, not what lifestyle to have.

[Ezzie.]

Most things have no meat in, they'll still be fat. Sweets, chocolate etc can still be eaten by vegetarian fatties. The argument is with moderation, not what lifestyle to have.

note me saying "if they ate a correct lifestyle of course!"

and you confuse me virgin mary sometimes.../alot :P

[GommeInc]

note me saying "if they ate a correct lifestyle of course!"

and you confuse me virgin mary sometimes.../alot :P
Which was connected with a vegetarian lifestyle:


Lol they sure looked fun xD... and i'll just say that if obese people went vegetarian they sure as hell wouldn't be obese for long, if they ate a correct lifestyle of course! But that's slightly off-topic ;D
You connected the 'correct lifestyle' with vegetarianism. If it was meant to be another way to lose weight, then it would of been on it's own, like so:

"...if obese people went vegetarian they sure as hell wouldn't be obese for long OR if they ate a correct lifestyle of course!"

*puts away stick and continues English lesson*

[Ezzie.]

Dude, i'm on pain killers, and i came out of a fairly major op on my nose a week back! gimme a break ;D :(

[GommeInc]

Do you have a doctors note? You still have to take pain killers? Ouchy, my major op didn't even need me to be on any pain killlers, until I laid funny and accidentally reopened it in the night :P

[Ezzie.]

lol course i have a doctor's note, and it's not exactly pain killers.. erm.. sort of like anti infalammtory? tries to bring down the swelling, surprisingly i haven't felt any pain, except for when i peeled the plaster off and ripped the hairs off my face.. ¬_¬

[GommeInc]

Ah I know what you mean, I had it when I 'acceidently' put my hand through a glass door and cut my thumb open. I forgot to take them as often as I should and nearly fainted when they took the stitches out, it wasn't painful but it felt really... Urghhh...

Did your op come under cosmetic surgery, where they change the look of something, or was an operation where they have to change comething internally or remove something?

[Ezzie.]

ah.. when they took the nose plug things out.. i was going OWWW a little bit xD but it was cool cos the nurse did it slowly not yanked them out ^_^

and it was under all three i think, i talked to the surgeon who did it yesterday, he said that it was a fairly major operation as the cartilidge had built up so much on the left nostril i couldn't even breathe through that side, also my nose was bent to the.. right i think, now it's perfectly straight :D just feels weird, had the cast taken off and my face looks quite different :p

[GommeInc]

I had my stitches taken out really slowly, which is why it felt odd. You couldn't of taken them out quickly ot it would of just opened up the wound again :P

My op was major I think, because I had to have my spleen removed becfore it went toxic. It should be the size of a golf ball, mine was a mini football...

[Grig]

It's all easy to avoid with a balanced diet and healthy exercise and you don't have to be a nuclear scientist to figure that out!

[Browney]

Yey, can I join this tale of woe? ^_^ My ruptured appendix had an abssess of about 1 litre. Also, where normal cuts are made in the side, mine was so bad they cut it down the middle. But just thinking I had a baloon type thing inflated in my body by 1 litre of liquid makes me wonder where it all went.

[GommeInc]

Yey, can I join this tale of woe? ^_^ My ruptured appendix had an abssess of about 1 litre. Also, where normal cuts are made in the side, mine was so bad they cut it down the middle. But just thinking I had a baloon type thing inflated in my body by 1 litre of liquid makes me wonder where it all went.
I bulged outwards and of course you can join in the woe :D The only slight change to any of my other organs was my stomach. It was smaller than usual because my spleen pushed it out the way but it also managed to push my liver forwards which made me look chubby.

[-:Undertaker:-]

You should blame, any kind of gaming including habbo, runescape, next gen consoles etc because people who just live there and play on it all day just vegitating themselves,

No you should not.

Habbo, Runescape, McDonalds and so on are not to blame, as much as I hate McDonalds it's not their fault.

It's YOUR choice to eat junk food, saying it's Sulake, Jagex and McDonalds' fault is just like what many murders say to get away with it 'Oh my friend made me kill him' - no he didn't, you made that choice.

[Ezzie.]

Sort of undercover.. i think it's split like 70 percent on the person's choice and 30% on the consumer, the constant adverts shown to kids at a young age.. can't be a good influence

[FlyingJesus]

ehh without big industries like mcdonalds etc wed have no economy

[Ezzie.]

Lol we would have an economy still.. the gap'd just be filled by another company

[Virgin Mary]

That just makes me think that 50% of one's time should be spent watching mcdonald's adverts and the other 50% should be spent looking at pictures of skinny models so it evens out =[