health

U.N.: Obesity levels in Europe at 'epidemic proportions'

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The report states that none of the 53 Member States of the Region currently on track to meet the WHO Global Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) target of halting the rise of obesity by 2025.

Again, regarding Europe, the report cited causation factors "unique to living in modern Europe’s highly digitalized societies" as drivers of obesity, including how the digital marketing of unhealthy food products to children, and the proliferation of sedentary online gaming, contribute to the rising tide of overweight and obesity in the European Region.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

WHO called for countries to adopt policies to improve “environmental factors” linked to obesity, including taxing sugary drinks, restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children and efforts to improve physical activity.

Taxing so-called "bad foods and drinks" is not a solution. The problem is the extra burden obese people put on health and social services. The simple response should be to charge them for their medical fees. Maybe make them pay 20-30%. Not making the rest of us pay extra for our food.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

One of the real reasons Covid hit western countries so hard!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

sajinosebleed

Nobody likes to hear that , and every other excuse is made, but that's exactly right.

samuraiviny

ive noticed the past few years. Lots of women in their 30 to 50s who are softer than a pillow, having not exercised since school days and enjoy a few too many Mister Donuts

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Lockdowns in general, especially working from home, will have boosted obesity. No commuting, no moving around offices, no lunch break, and just a short waddle to the fridge and microwave.

The emotional and financial costs of Project Fear scare tactics and lockdowns also drove increasingly depressed people to cheer themselves up with sweet treats.

Obesity may reduce a little as normality returns, people commute to offices, get out and about more, and lose a few pounds in advance of holidays. They may also be more concerned about their appearance now that their friends and colleagues can see more than just their head and shoulders on Zoom.

Do the WHO not realise that people take exception to politicians' heavy handed attempts at manipulating their lives in this way - we aren't dogs to be trained. And that short of a magic wand, they don't really have that much power over their citizens. If you increase the cost of sweets and fizzy drinks, people just have less money left for healthy food.

Most people don't like, trust or believe politicians. If you want to nudge lumpier citizens off their sofas before the springs collapse, employ vlogging influencers.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Obesity is cancerous. Globally, 1.4 billion people are overweight, of which about 50% are obese, many are young. This is an urgent issue to be adequately addressed, else it becomes deadly unhealthy.

The image shows 2 bottles of Coke.

Is that meant to show the drink is one of the major cause of overweight?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Less grains. Less protein. Less snacks and sugar. More veg, and move at least 1 hour a day, more if there's any excess weight.

Buy stuff that looks like food from a farm, orchard, or the sea, not convenience boxed junk. If it has a TV commercial, that's a good sign to avoid it almost always.

A little splurge once a week, isn't bad, just not more often. Food is fuel, not a celebration or reward.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

obesity among adults is higher across the continent than any other world region — except for the Americas.

I had a feeling that last bit was going to be there.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

One of the real reasons Covid hit western countries so hard!

> Nobody likes to hear that , and every other excuse is made, but that's exactly right.

Western countries also tested properly, and anyway, plenty of people died here in Asia of covid, despite the apparent lack of large people.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

diabetes was a rare disorder Pryor to 1980. now we see it in children.

In the 1980s kids played outside, these days they play inside often tapping a computer screen.

In the 1980s kids walked to school, now they are driven in case Jimmy Saville is waiting in the bushes for them.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Well, they have quite some levels out of and at epidemic proportion there and obesity is the very last one that comes to my mind. lol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Most of the these obese westerners somehow surprisingly can do more push-ups than healthy weight Asians. That's what i have noticed. It means they have more physical power.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Backpacking...

Most of the these obese westerners somehow surprisingly can do more push-ups than healthy weight Asians. That's what i have noticed.

Really? I noticed that many of them are in mobility scooters unable to walk around a shop. Not exactly dropping to knock out some pushups!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The first thing I notice every time I travel to the US is the insane amount of fat people. More and more every few years. Overweight, obese, call it what you want but it's not easy on the eyes. It doesn't look good nor is it healthy.

They need to reduce the portion of meals over there too. I literally laughed out loud when they brought me my enchilada dinner plate. I had to split it with two other people. No way I could eat all that. My glass of water was bigger than my head.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Just look at those fat, last Ameri.......

Oh, wait.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Look at the picture. What do you see? Coca Cola its a drug filled sugar habit! Getting rid of soda and sugar would do a lot of good!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

WHY are SO many Europeans so fat??

My god. Have some respect for yourself, Euros....

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Some of you are being mean and insensitive. Fat people should get more respect and should not be subjected to discrimination and shaming. It’s a lifestyle and they should be able to use the pronoun “them” or “we.”

Its time for fat activists to organize demonstrations and adopt a flag, perhaps one with a pattern of donuts, heaping plates of fried chicken on a background of potato chips.

Stop being so judgmental! Fat people contribute the most to support food companies and fast food workers. They should also have a holiday to celebrate their contribution to society.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Oh sure, make it about the US... But hey, if the food supply runs out, we can live off our fat for a month, while you skinny folks will be dropping left and right.

Who do you think is getting eaten first?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, the perfectly good, excess food thrown out every day in the US would feed every hungry person in the world. Maybe that’s why someone made it about the US?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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