http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/23 ... lth-costs/



I think this is crazy coming from Paris. Thinking that they can predict obesity by the year 2020.. I think that people are getting wiser about the foods they eat.. so I think this story is just crazy.. America is the richest county but why pick on us as the obese population. They don't even offer hope.. They think obesity is an epidemic worse than the flu or something.

Well, statistically speaking, America does have the highest percentage of obese and overweight individuals. As for the prediction, it's also based on statistics, and the rate of growth over the past few decades.

I think it's a real shame that so much emphasis can be put in the media about obesity, yet no one talks about the rising rates of eating disorders, or anything like that. It is kind of a 'taboo' subject.
Yes, obesity rates are going up, which is a terrible, terrible thing, what about giving some more support to eating disorders as well!
When I was at my very worst, I was 13 and the only place that would accept me in the whole of South Australia was the childrens ward at a hospital. They had no experience with this type of thing, therefore I have never gotten the proper treatment I needed. I want to write to parliament!!!!
Sorry, went a bit off topic there!

I just do not believe their "predictions." Fear mongers.
And what they consider obese is ridiculous! In the late 90s they moved changed the BMI system to make millions of more people be included in the overweight & obese categories. It's all about making $$$$$$$$

Why not? What mathematical or scientific evidence do you have to the contrary?

in my mind, the evidence to the contrary would be in how they define obese and overweight. if they go by BMI, which most studies do, then they are using a highly debated system of measurement, so people who are at a healthy weight for their body may be in the category of 'overweight' unnecessarily. It is also an economic study. after taking several economics courses at university, and comparing them to the interdisciplinary courses in which economics is just one of many factors to consider, i tend to regard a lot of economic-based studies as only part of the picture. economics has a way of oversimplifying a lot of things in order to get their results, which adds to inaccuracy.

just my two cents. =)

That's true, but if they're using constant measurements (there were A number of people of X weight in 1984, B number of people of X weight in 1994, C number of people of X weight in 2004), they would still be seeing a valid trend.

If this whole topic is of interest to you, I HIGHLY recommend the book "Fat Politics" by J. Eric Oliver.
It points out the inconsistencies in research and the statistical malfunctioning of a lot of the studies on obesity and what are considered associated diseases.

i just saw this, and i didnt want to make a whole other thread, but this seemed slightly relevant here. my apologies if its not.

"Being fat is now illegal in japan."
*May trigger* I'm not sure --- so its worth the precaution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1hqHo6lyUU


second trigger warning ** don't read the video comments.

Omfg I cannot believe how utterly insane and wrong that is about Japan... just ? They've gone utterly insane...
I feel sorry for the companies involved tbh as I can't see what choice they have... $19 billion dollar fines? Just ?

Honestly, I'm not surprised about Japan. Japanese society is completely insane in general, and this really isn't that far divorced from all the rest of the craziness.

That's pretty terrifying. It kind of makes me nauseous to imagine having to deal with that.