Recent Government obesity report

[simmo39]

Has anyone read this recent report, its quite interesting. It suggests that the current obsese epidemic is not just due to personal over indulgene and laziness, it is a combination of society factors. Such as poor diets, less active lifestyles, greater labour saving technology at home and work and more motorised transport, and it is an enevitable consequence of these combined factors.
Are we in an obese epidemic? It is down to us as individuals or the society we now live in? Or am I just looking for a scapegoat to blame for being overweight?

My view is that all these factors certainly contribute to the obesity issue, and in addition the total free market economy philospohy allows things like fast food outlets to spring up everywhere and make it more difficult for people to avoid going into them. (I never enter them personally as I can't stand them but think I saw some evidence once about the added problems they bring)

Some governments do intervene more than in the UK to try to manage some of these factors. It would be interesting to find out more about such measures and their effectiveness.

Its difficult though - the balance between personal freedom and responsibility and state control. At the end the day we all choose what to put in our mouths don't we. I'm commenting as an overwieght person too, and with the recent realistion that although not hugely fat this could have contributed to my recent cancer diagnosis. Very sobering.

Truth is that it's easier to be overweight than it is to be a healthy weight but it's a long way from inevitable. We are surrounded by food 24/7, move around less on foot and more in cars, do less physical work - all perfectly true.

But we can choose to have a better diet, move around more, eat a little less - no-ones forcing us to walk into a junk food restaurant or spend all night slumped in front of the TV. Might take a little effort or self-control on our part (not a fashionable suggestion) but it can be done.

Motivation is the missing link. Some subscribe to the 'we've all got to die of something' school of thought and let themselves go. Others prefer to look after themselves & keep in shape. Any government who can work out how to turn the former into the latter would be onto a winner....

It might seem odd in this economic climate BUT people have too much money as well. My mother was saying she remembers one year her parents couldn't afford to buy a bottle of wine for Christmas day so they had none. They weren't particularly poor, just average, but in those days things like wine cost more and people had to watch their money a bit more...I know people who get through several bottles a week...I could drink half to a whole bottle a night if I let myself...2/3rds is my ideal (two 250ml glasses is what gives me the most satisfying glow without any hangover symptoms!) - so times have changed. Even people with less wouldn't necessarily consider NOT drinking if they wanted to - they might just spend less on that drink. Or food. Hopefully that makes sense.

You all have such valid points, I agree that there are more fast food outlets, more bad food choices in today's supermarkets, and more money to spend or get credit to spend! When I was growing up money was tight for my parents and we lived on a tight budget. We only had sweets on a Friday night, fizzy drinks at Easter, birthdays and Xmas and my mum cooked from scratch!
Maybe becuase I felt a bit deprived as a child I over indulge now, but society I feel almost allows me to.
Chil1234 - you have such a positive attitude and I wish willpower/motivation could be bottled and we could buy that off the shelf! I wonder if they would be best sellers.....?