It's not just Americans any more. But they are right up there.
LONDON - Britain’s status as the fat man of Europe was confirmed by a government report Tuesday showing that many citizens are losing the battle of the bulge and slipping into obesity.
The “Health Profile of England” report quoted figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) showing that adult obesity rates in Britain were the highest in Europe at 24 percent.
This compares with just eight percent in Italy, nine percent in France and about 12 percent in Ireland, Germany and Spain.
Obesity was measured as the percentage of people who had a body mass index (BMI) -- height to weight ratio — of more than 30.
Two months ago, the Department of Health warned that 13 million people in England would be obese by 2010 if nothing were done to tackle the problem.
While life expectancy is increasing across the board, the report said there was still an acute “north-south divide” in England — life expectancy among men in the north of the country is two years shorter than in the south.
The town of Boston in Lincolnshire, eastern England, was found to have the highest rate of obesity in the country.
The report also said that the proportion of obese children rose by 40 percent between 1995 and 2004.
Obesity was forced up the political agenda in Britain last year by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s campaign for better school dinners for children, which led to ministers announcing an extra 280 million pounds funding.
Prime Minister Tony Blair told BBC television Tuesday that people had to take some “personal responsibility” for their health.
“We can’t really afford a decent healthcare system going forward unless healthcare is not just about treating you when you are sick but also about looking after your fitness, your healthcare, and that requires people to take some personal responsibility for what they do,” he said.
The main opposition Conservatives’ spokesman on health, Andrew Lansley, called for “serious interventions”, including more school nurses and a food labelling scheme to help people build a good diet and tackle the problem.
Lawmakers and consumer bodies have been pushing Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, to ban junk food advertisements on television before 9:00 pm, although research published Monday suggested consumers opposed any such move.
Obesity is linked to conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and asthma.
The OECD says that more than half of adults are defined as either overweight or obese in 10 of its member countries, of which the top three offenders are the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
Overweight is defined as a body mass index of between 25 and 30.
2007-04-04 09:52:28
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answer #1
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answered by bomullock 5
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Are you saying that all of Canada, United States, Central America and South America are obese? Wow..that is amazing that so many good looking people come from these places and are considered obese by your standards.
Quit being a judge about it and just know that you have the willpower to not eat 3 pizzas.
2007-04-04 09:48:41
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answer #2
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answered by I Know, I Know 4
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I'm an American. Not all are fat. My opinion: I think part of the reason is there are too many people in this country who won't do the menial jobs and the immigrants come in to do those jobs. The people are too far from the farms and the hard work this country was built on. I can say this, I am fat.
2007-04-04 09:56:23
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answer #3
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answered by ladyofyorkies 3
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Actually, all would be about 40% of the country, but numbers vary according to who you talk to. The Big reason why is that most countries don't eat supersize meals, (and even our "regular size" meals are larger than most countries) and they cook more at home. They also walk to work, the grocery, or most places they go. I know people from other countries and most of them never owned a car until they came here. Walking may seem insignificant, but consider that 30 minutes a day, which is equal to about a mile and a half, is enough to maintain any weight, and it's really a big deal.
2007-04-04 09:54:36
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answer #4
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answered by teachingazteca 3
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It's because in America everyone goes by the saying "work hard, eat hard." We have such a fast paced lifestyle that it's hard to balance time. Americans work the most, and so everything has to be quick and easy for us. That's where fast food restaurants come in and obesity. I mean just look at how many fast food places you live buy. It's cheap, easy, and fast, so why not? Unfortunately, this type of mentality and convenience comes at a heavy price, i.e. heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
2007-04-04 09:50:36
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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there is a lot debate on which US chart to apply ... seeing by using fact the birthtime of the rustic is commonly taken as being the signing of the announcement of Independence, and that easily clock time has no longer been suggested/got here across. as a result, there are quite a few charts available, and proponents for each chart. The Gemini increasing chart is the main-customary. Sibley's chart, with Sag increasing makes a greater smart time of day ... yet isn't as broadly favourite. In Sibley's chart, Venus-Jupiter is interior the seventh homestead. MOON regulations the inhabitants of the rustic, no longer Venus or Jupiter. And the seventh house is the homestead of remote places affairs, truly with our open enemies. So, employing the Sibley chart as your physique of reference: No. The Jupiter-Venus conjunction in maximum cancers interior the seventh homestead isn't why people are obese.
2016-11-26 02:27:50
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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He must be substituting food for a problem of some sort. Lots of people go thru emotionally damaging stuff in life. Some use drugs, alcohol or food to help them. I am sorry but all Americans are not obese, but I agree too many are.
2007-04-04 10:17:31
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answer #7
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answered by Denise K 3
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The trend is alarming! We eat more. Restaurant proportions are greater and we eat out more often. Our food is more heavily laden with fat. High fructose corn syrup sweetens everything and there is evidence it doesn't trigger awareness of satiety. We watch more TV, play more video games, drive more, walk and exercise less. It's not safe for kids to play in many neighborhoods, bike riding in heavy traffic is dangerous. Children's sports are oriented to winning, giving the better players more playing time. Opportunities for less formal active sports participation has lessened.
It's not funny. Obese people will get more diabetes, have breathing problems like obstructive sleep apnea, esophageal reflux, heart disease and degenerative joint disease. Etc, etc.
2007-04-04 09:57:37
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answer #8
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answered by greydoc6 7
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dude, not ALL americans are obese!! dont you watch american tv?? because if you did, then you would know that lots are not obese, and i am one of those non-obese people and so is my bf and my brothers and my grandparents and my kid and my bf's kids and his ex-wife and lots of my friends and lidsay lohan and britney spears and david spade and brad pitt and..........i could go on and on dude but i wont because it would take up way too much space. but yes, america does have an obesity problem since we are pretty lazy at time but we also have an eating disorder problem too, look at all the models!! so dont think that just cause you saw one american fat that all of us are!!!!!
2007-04-04 09:51:23
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answer #9
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answered by slittle 2
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because Americans are so concerned about doing what is easiest!!! and easy means fast food and food that can be made really quick!!! there are so many preservatives in food which isn't good for you...People need to take time to COOK and make healthy meals that cover all food groups!!! and we don't get enough exercise...we are always in a hurry and instead of walking somewhere we jump in the car!!!
2007-04-04 09:52:59
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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