A health economist and co-author of a new book “The fattening America” points out that a predictable consequence of advanced and rich economy is a fatter population. Though obesity has established itself in western industrial societies, the author Eric Finkelstein, gives the examples of India and China where, he says, waistlines are growing rapidly along with their economies. “Combining with cheap, prevalent food, it has resulted in weight gain. We are seeing this now all over the world” he said in an interview. He argues Americans spend more time in front of the computer, in television, in cars than their parents and grand parents did and spend less time in kitchen making healthful meals or out doors, burning calories. On the other hand they are tempted by growing array of cheap, high calorie, fat and sugar-laden treats. The result: two thirds of the American adults are qualified as obese. But the choices that the Americans make are deliberate, knowing that overweight puts them at risk, he said. The research suggests that even after knowing this, many people will still choose to be over weight.
“The fattening America”.
Filed under: Health & Science, Lifestyle
Leave Your Comments