HELSINKI (Reuters) - Obesity has spiraled into a worldwide epidemic affecting 250 million adults but a leading nutritional expert believes the worst is still to come.
Overweight adolescents are on course to fuel an even bigger global health problem as they mature into obese adults, he says.
"The younger generation, the generation after us, will be even more obese than we are, which doesn't make the future look very promising," Dr. Mikael Fogelholm said in an interview.
The chairman of the 12th European Congress on Obesity, which begins in Helsinki on Thursday, said the prevalence of obesity among adolescents has increased more rapidly than among the middle-aged population.
"We can't expect that the present generation will die and we will have a lean generation," added Dr. Fogelholm, who is also the director of the independent UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research in Finland.
A steady, and in some cases life-long, diet of high-fat fast foods and idle hours in front of the television and computer, has taken its toll on children.
"Most obese adults now had not been obese children," Fogelholm said. "They obtained their extra kilos (pounds) after they were 25 or 30 years old. But now we have more and more people who are already obese at the age of 10, 15 or 20.
"If the trend goes on, the future doesn't look better. It looks worse unless we can find a way to prevent obesity."
Along with expanding waistlines, being overweight or obese increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancer. In the United States, where over half of the adult population is obese or overweight, obesity costs about $93 billion a year in medical expenses.
Elsewhere obesity rates range from two percent in some developing countries, to 80 percent on remote Pacific Islands and about 20 percent in Western countries.
Fogelholm believes the solution to the problem must begin with changes that encourage people, and particularly youngsters, to get more exercise and to make healthy food choices. But he stressed that must include changes in how city centers are planned, how food is marketed and the sizes of portions in which it is served.
Ministries of transport, environment and education should be involved in health policies, he added.
"It's a complex phenomenon especially from a behavioral viewpoint," he said.
"If you think of smoking -- people either smoke or they don't smoke. But everyone has to eat and what they eat, how much and the amount of exercise they get make weight control a very complex behavior."
About 1,500 doctors, nutritionists, researchers and geneticists are attending the conference which runs to June 1.
Obesity Epidemic Set to Get Worse
Moderator: S2k Moderators
-
TexasStooge
- Category 5
- Posts: 38127
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2003 1:22 pm
- Location: Irving (Dallas County), TX
- Contact:
-
justjake
- Tropical Depression
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Mon May 26, 2003 6:50 am
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Contact:
DUH!!!
The problem is because we arne't obeying what God told us to do!
He said in Genesis to eat:
the fruits
the veggies
the SEEDS ALSO.
And He also cursed the groud FOR OUR SAKE! This means that we need to eat right, and get our exercise.
He told us what to eat and yet we still eat a burger, fries, and coke. And then we smoke, drink (I am not against drinking), and eat to excess and then wonder why we are so unhealthy.
Like I said before...DUH!
The problem is because we arne't obeying what God told us to do!
He said in Genesis to eat:
the fruits
the veggies
the SEEDS ALSO.
And He also cursed the groud FOR OUR SAKE! This means that we need to eat right, and get our exercise.
He told us what to eat and yet we still eat a burger, fries, and coke. And then we smoke, drink (I am not against drinking), and eat to excess and then wonder why we are so unhealthy.
Like I said before...DUH!
0 likes
-
weatherlover427
-
justjake
- Tropical Depression
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Mon May 26, 2003 6:50 am
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Contact:
I am not saying that we should never eat meat, because (the Christian point of view anyway!) Jesus ate fish, and Paul said in Romans that all foods are 'clean' to eat, where as for the Jews before his time were only allowed to eat the 'clean' animals.JQ Public wrote:So we're supposed to be veggie too i guess?
I had pasta for dinner tonight and had beef in it. It was YUMMY!!!
What I am saying is that people should eat more veggies and we all should especially eat the seeds of the fruit and veggies that we consume. Especially the apricot seeds.
If you want to know more, here is a link that you may find helpful:
http://www.worldwithoutcancer.com/
0 likes
-
Miss Mary
It all comes down to one thing, IMHO: size portions. Years ago people didn't eat the amount of food we do today. I've read that the dinner plate sizes have increased thru the years - I believe it. My mom has an antique set of blue and white dishes. Those dinner plates are about the size of a salad plate today! Order at any McD's, Wendy's, Burger King and you'll get the sales pitch - for only 39 cents more, you can supersize that meal. Or try ordering just a fish sandwich, and right away they're saying - do you want a combo meal? You say no, they come back with for only $.92 more you can have the meal (if you've ordered a drink), for example. Drink size cups have changed! The now small sized cup used to be the medium. You ask for a small cup, and you get that old med. size cup. Say again, no a small drink and you get the kiddee cup.
Well, I'm just a rambling here but this is a serious problem in our country. I don't know what the answer is except to downsize your food portions, eat from the 4 food groups, and exercise.
Well, I'm just a rambling here but this is a serious problem in our country. I don't know what the answer is except to downsize your food portions, eat from the 4 food groups, and exercise.
0 likes
-
furluvcats
- Category 5
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2003 12:02 am
- Location: Temecula, California
- Contact:
I agree with Mary and bfez...and we often have this discussion in our home. Brian's son is 12 years old, and obese. They say by this age, it sets your pattern for adulthood, and more than likely the obesity will stay with you, and you are prone to many many other health issues.
We had this child with us for 6 weeks last summer, and he went home 15 pounds thinner, and with a pumped up self esteem. (Think of growing up, always way overweight...you don't get to experience playing with other children,....bc you tire too easily....you get picked on by everyone...(kids are cruel)...no one picks you for sports teams....you don't experience girlfriends/boyfriends....) Obesity in our society is very prevelant, but also is a dividing factor socially, between happy healthy, well adjusted children, and moody, depressed, low self esteemed children.... Back to our story, the child went home, got many compliments, the weightloss was well recognized by his peers, and then boom...the mother didn't follow up on the healthy eating habits...she fed him Mc Donalds several times a week....he didn't get HEALTHY home cooked meals...he wasn't encouraged to swim, or walk or ride bikes, to keep up the weight loss...the mother set him back down in front of the TV, and video games, with sugary, high fat snacks, and let him go....Parents have to wake up!!! Make our childrens health top priority and watch what our children are doing with their time, and start cooking healthy home cooked meals...
What I did to help this child was always serve him 1 normal sized serving of dinner...no seconds!!!! And I suggested he put his fork down between each bite. Its a amazing how they can't shovel food into their mouths when they try this techique....and then I bought healthy snacks, sugar free snacks, and made sure the boy didn't sit mobile....he may complain, and groan about going out for a walk, or hiking, but by keeping him motivated, I;m sure this contributed to the weightloss.
We sit down to a family meal every night. I cook, my daughter cooks, we all cook together...we set a fine table, serve in courses, and we truly value this family time together every single night. We discuss everyone's days events...its a healthy family time. Its a shame that this isn't the case in so many homes today...Brian's daughter actually condemmed us for this...she said it isn't normal to have home cooked meals and everyone sit down at the same time and eat the same thing...isn't that sad? That's one of the saddest things I have ever heard. If we are truly loosing the American family to fast food, video games and independant feedings, then it's time for our families to wake up, and start acting like a family should!
Anyway, we have another chance with Brian's son this summer, to help make a difference in his health and his life...I hope to have wonderful things to report by summers end....
We had this child with us for 6 weeks last summer, and he went home 15 pounds thinner, and with a pumped up self esteem. (Think of growing up, always way overweight...you don't get to experience playing with other children,....bc you tire too easily....you get picked on by everyone...(kids are cruel)...no one picks you for sports teams....you don't experience girlfriends/boyfriends....) Obesity in our society is very prevelant, but also is a dividing factor socially, between happy healthy, well adjusted children, and moody, depressed, low self esteemed children.... Back to our story, the child went home, got many compliments, the weightloss was well recognized by his peers, and then boom...the mother didn't follow up on the healthy eating habits...she fed him Mc Donalds several times a week....he didn't get HEALTHY home cooked meals...he wasn't encouraged to swim, or walk or ride bikes, to keep up the weight loss...the mother set him back down in front of the TV, and video games, with sugary, high fat snacks, and let him go....Parents have to wake up!!! Make our childrens health top priority and watch what our children are doing with their time, and start cooking healthy home cooked meals...
What I did to help this child was always serve him 1 normal sized serving of dinner...no seconds!!!! And I suggested he put his fork down between each bite. Its a amazing how they can't shovel food into their mouths when they try this techique....and then I bought healthy snacks, sugar free snacks, and made sure the boy didn't sit mobile....he may complain, and groan about going out for a walk, or hiking, but by keeping him motivated, I;m sure this contributed to the weightloss.
We sit down to a family meal every night. I cook, my daughter cooks, we all cook together...we set a fine table, serve in courses, and we truly value this family time together every single night. We discuss everyone's days events...its a healthy family time. Its a shame that this isn't the case in so many homes today...Brian's daughter actually condemmed us for this...she said it isn't normal to have home cooked meals and everyone sit down at the same time and eat the same thing...isn't that sad? That's one of the saddest things I have ever heard. If we are truly loosing the American family to fast food, video games and independant feedings, then it's time for our families to wake up, and start acting like a family should!
Anyway, we have another chance with Brian's son this summer, to help make a difference in his health and his life...I hope to have wonderful things to report by summers end....
0 likes
-
Miss Mary
Stephanie,
What a story.....that poor boy! I too would have done all you did again last summer. Even if it was thrown out the window. Do it again I say. And keep on doing it. Hopefully one day as he's older he'll remember the examples you set and apply them himself.
Not to beat a dead horse with this info, but as you all know I had cancer 4 years ago. My recovery was very slow and so many activities my kids were in had to be curtailed or dropped. I was serving on two PTA committees at the time, all of that stopped - I just said I can't do this anymore and thankfully it was April so they said fine, school's out soon so we'll manage. Long story short, I reclaimed the dinner hour! We weren't running ouselves ragged anymore, eating in shifts, my car backing out of the garage as Jim was pulling in. We'd lower the windows....I'd blurt out, "Laura needs to be at the ball field at 7, or your dinner's on the stove. We all ate already"....things like that. Because now I was home 24/7, literally, we all had to time to catch our breath. Consequently I never went back to that PTA stuff, did that, it was nice but way too hectic for me. I made my family and my health a priority and I do think we benefitted from it. Had it not been for me getting sick, I honestly think we'd be on that fast track. Now I just say no, I can't do that when asked.....since my day to day health is so sporadic......and focus on my kids. They in turn have become busier but we still manage to eat dinner, all 4 of us (should say 5, count the dog, who's sitting nearby!) together at least 6 nights a week. It is a calm, quiet time to ask everyone how their day went. Sad that some families think it's okay to skip that and eat out of the mini-van, once again, for the 5th night in a row. When I hear of so many families on the go 7 days a week, I just think - that could have been us. I guess what I'm saying is you almost need a health crisis or emergency to make you consider a different, calmer and slower liftstyle. And oh, saying no is possible! I've actually practiced it and don't feel guilty saying it (to PTA committee work).
What a story.....that poor boy! I too would have done all you did again last summer. Even if it was thrown out the window. Do it again I say. And keep on doing it. Hopefully one day as he's older he'll remember the examples you set and apply them himself.
Not to beat a dead horse with this info, but as you all know I had cancer 4 years ago. My recovery was very slow and so many activities my kids were in had to be curtailed or dropped. I was serving on two PTA committees at the time, all of that stopped - I just said I can't do this anymore and thankfully it was April so they said fine, school's out soon so we'll manage. Long story short, I reclaimed the dinner hour! We weren't running ouselves ragged anymore, eating in shifts, my car backing out of the garage as Jim was pulling in. We'd lower the windows....I'd blurt out, "Laura needs to be at the ball field at 7, or your dinner's on the stove. We all ate already"....things like that. Because now I was home 24/7, literally, we all had to time to catch our breath. Consequently I never went back to that PTA stuff, did that, it was nice but way too hectic for me. I made my family and my health a priority and I do think we benefitted from it. Had it not been for me getting sick, I honestly think we'd be on that fast track. Now I just say no, I can't do that when asked.....since my day to day health is so sporadic......and focus on my kids. They in turn have become busier but we still manage to eat dinner, all 4 of us (should say 5, count the dog, who's sitting nearby!) together at least 6 nights a week. It is a calm, quiet time to ask everyone how their day went. Sad that some families think it's okay to skip that and eat out of the mini-van, once again, for the 5th night in a row. When I hear of so many families on the go 7 days a week, I just think - that could have been us. I guess what I'm saying is you almost need a health crisis or emergency to make you consider a different, calmer and slower liftstyle. And oh, saying no is possible! I've actually practiced it and don't feel guilty saying it (to PTA committee work).
0 likes
-
furluvcats
- Category 5
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2003 12:02 am
- Location: Temecula, California
- Contact:
It was me, not Steph, lol, but she always seems to get the response to what I wrote...lol.
I get alot of grief from family members for not having the kids in every sport imaginable, or boy scouts for my son, etc...but you know the way I think, and what my response is to them? Teaching children good family values, teaching them that their family is of utmost importance, that their family is always right there for them, is sooo important. My kids are home with me, I teach them at home, I dine with them at home, and we stay very busy always on the go. They don't need boy scouts to teach them about nature and camping...we do that! I'd rather have the kids spend time doing things with us, together as a family, and learning from us and our experiences, then being seperated from us, and having others share with them, what we can. I don't feel we shelter them, they have alot of friends that they spend weekends with and such...but we are there as a stable family unit, learning together, growing together, and loving one another..I think this is so important. Before ya know it, they'll be grown, and I'll be happy to say that we had a great time growing up together, and I won't feel I've missed out on anything in their lives. I love my family! And in return, I hope we are instilling in our kids, that family is important, and that they will pass these values down to their children, and their children, etc...This, I learned from my parents, and my family...Its a good possitive chain reaction thing!
I get alot of grief from family members for not having the kids in every sport imaginable, or boy scouts for my son, etc...but you know the way I think, and what my response is to them? Teaching children good family values, teaching them that their family is of utmost importance, that their family is always right there for them, is sooo important. My kids are home with me, I teach them at home, I dine with them at home, and we stay very busy always on the go. They don't need boy scouts to teach them about nature and camping...we do that! I'd rather have the kids spend time doing things with us, together as a family, and learning from us and our experiences, then being seperated from us, and having others share with them, what we can. I don't feel we shelter them, they have alot of friends that they spend weekends with and such...but we are there as a stable family unit, learning together, growing together, and loving one another..I think this is so important. Before ya know it, they'll be grown, and I'll be happy to say that we had a great time growing up together, and I won't feel I've missed out on anything in their lives. I love my family! And in return, I hope we are instilling in our kids, that family is important, and that they will pass these values down to their children, and their children, etc...This, I learned from my parents, and my family...Its a good possitive chain reaction thing!
0 likes
-
Miss Mary
OMG - Fur/Shannon!!! I did that once with Dennis and Steve. LOL Ya know after I was reading that post, I kept thinking, someone else's husband is named Brian.....so sorry Furry! Won't do that again (although I did it once before...
)
Amen to spending time with your family too. I'm with ya on that one. Although I have a teen now (who wants to be friends more) we still manage to spend time together. We drag her along on trips and outings. Grumbling we hear, but secretly, deep down I think she appreciates us! Well, I know she does.....
One more final point to all this rush around craziness families take on.....Nina was on a Dance Studio's dance team. Competing, traveling, rehearsals, meetings, phone calls constantly, etc. This went on for 1 and 1/2 years. She was in Elem school then but I'd see the exhausted looks on the teen dancers faces, all the while attempting to do their homework, at the studio at yet another rehearsal. I swore I wanted Nina out of that studio by the time she started HS. Then her grades really started slipping (C's, D's) and another long story short, we pulled her completely out of this studio. 3 months before the end of the year. It made an impact on Nina - we valued her education more than dance. And she in turn began to see what her main priority was then - schoolwork. Now we drive by this studio and just shake our heads - like what were we thinking to get so wrapped up in that world? It might be for some families but not ours. And now she can enroll in school clubs b/c she's not at this demanding studio (w/ virtually no after school time available). She's dancing at a very low-key studio, just 90 minutes a week. Heaven if you ask me. Sometimes you just have to make a stand and say - family and/or school-work first. Church too! That's another big thing - the old studio would never permit Sunday school classes if traveling. Their attitude - ah, just skip that week. Traveling teams.....don't get me started. Fine for some families, just not our family.
Seems like you're doing all the right things Shannon. Keep it up. Note* I got your name right this time!!! LOL
)
Amen to spending time with your family too. I'm with ya on that one. Although I have a teen now (who wants to be friends more) we still manage to spend time together. We drag her along on trips and outings. Grumbling we hear, but secretly, deep down I think she appreciates us! Well, I know she does.....
One more final point to all this rush around craziness families take on.....Nina was on a Dance Studio's dance team. Competing, traveling, rehearsals, meetings, phone calls constantly, etc. This went on for 1 and 1/2 years. She was in Elem school then but I'd see the exhausted looks on the teen dancers faces, all the while attempting to do their homework, at the studio at yet another rehearsal. I swore I wanted Nina out of that studio by the time she started HS. Then her grades really started slipping (C's, D's) and another long story short, we pulled her completely out of this studio. 3 months before the end of the year. It made an impact on Nina - we valued her education more than dance. And she in turn began to see what her main priority was then - schoolwork. Now we drive by this studio and just shake our heads - like what were we thinking to get so wrapped up in that world? It might be for some families but not ours. And now she can enroll in school clubs b/c she's not at this demanding studio (w/ virtually no after school time available). She's dancing at a very low-key studio, just 90 minutes a week. Heaven if you ask me. Sometimes you just have to make a stand and say - family and/or school-work first. Church too! That's another big thing - the old studio would never permit Sunday school classes if traveling. Their attitude - ah, just skip that week. Traveling teams.....don't get me started. Fine for some families, just not our family.
Seems like you're doing all the right things Shannon. Keep it up. Note* I got your name right this time!!! LOL
0 likes
-
furluvcats
- Category 5
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2003 12:02 am
- Location: Temecula, California
- Contact:
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests