Number One Fattest

Those right wing crazies who so frequently shout that the "U.S.A. is Number One", exaggerate often about allot, but now I have to admit they may be right in at least one category. The United States now leads the world's 33 most industrial nations in obesity. Hmmm 'Fat and Proud' should be our new motto. Or 'Fat Proud and Donut Fed'. Whatever the chant there is likely to be plenty of jiggling when we shout it out.

The report is from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which works on policies to promote better economies and quality of life. I wonder how fat those men and women are who work on that committee. Anyway, it cites that two thirds of people in the U.S. are overweight or obese. That's about a third of adults or more than 72 million as obese. Obesity is defined as being roughly 30 pounds over a healthy weight, so don't ask me if I am obese. Eat your donut and let my fat alone.Here are some observations from the report.

- The obesity rates have skyrocketed since the 1980s in almost all the countries.-Countries with the fastest obesity growth rates: the United States, Australia and England- Close behind (as close as anyone can get behind a fat behind) are Mexico (24.2% obesity), U.K. (23%), Slovakia (22.4%), Greece ( 21.9%), Australia(21.7%) and New Zealand (20.9%)_ The lowest obesity rates were found in South Korea (3.2%), Japan (also 3.2%), Switzerland (7.7%) , Norway (8%), Italy ( 8.5%) and Austria (9.1%)- Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, several types of cancer, other diseases and early death.

Haha Well one might say that "obesity is important in shaping America". Unfortunately, it's the wrong kind of shaping.The O ECD report made two major recommendations for controlling obesity, ones that will be likely be ignored. They are:.

- Individual lifestyle counseling by family doctors and dietitians
- Health promotion campaigns, compulsory food labeling and cooperation between industry and government in the regulation of food advertising to kids.

One big impetus for the growing obesity rate in the U.S. has been the proliferation and propagandizing of individuals to eat allegedly "healthy food". Much of the the healthy food is high in a caloric content, tastes awful and is too expensive. Walk in any grocery store and you will see endless displays of "healthy choice" food that is often far worse than the noble donut. This and the proliferation of fast food has made it hard for consumers to eat more what is really healthy- fresh fruits vegetables, lean eat and seafood.

But being realistic one must accept that with affluence (the 33 are all affluent nations) comes more fat. To some degree the correlation is inevitable.