USA vs the World on Obesity?
How does the US compare to other countries in attempts to fight obesity? Do they do more or less is it better or worse? While doing research on obesity I found many courses and seminars geared toward fitness professionals with the topic of obesity. This is no so in the US and if it is I am unaware of it. Let me know your thoughts.
I teach Pilates; I am not registered with this site but I would like to add my two cents. Shawn asked: “How does the US compare to other countries in attempts to fight obesity?” Firstly, IMHO, Europe is quickly catching up with the US in rates of obesity, and is having the same difficulty fighting it. In other countries outside of the US and Europe, being obese is lauded – it means you have a lot of money. Unfortunately, in those latter countries, a large proportion of the population is usually either starving or suffering from malnutrition. You can, of course, be overweight and suffer from malnutrition.
In the US (and Europe) I believe it behooves the governments to consider the health of their citizens and drastically cut back on subsidies for processed foods and vastly increase subsidies for fruits and vegetables.
Also, I believe there should be a movement such as the anti-smoking one or the wearing of seatbelts, to encourage people to move more. I don’t know how you could get such a movement started, but Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign (with which I have no affiliation) is a good start. Unfortunately, what will happen when she is no longer First Lady?
Well, I guess I haven’t answered the question, but thanks for allowing me to vent.
Ginnie