Obesity plague on the march........
This does not good look for traveling mongers.
[QUOTE]New study shows Brazil losing battle of the bulge
RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilians are battling the bulge.
A government study says the South American country known for its bikinis is expanding at the waistline.
The Health Ministry notes that in 2009, 46.6 percent of Brazil's 190 million people were overweight. That's up from 42.7 percent in 2006.
The rate of obesity also rose, from 11.4 percent in 2006 to 13.9 percent in 2009.
The study released Monday is based on interviews with 54,000 adults. The result: 51 percent of men and 42.3 percent of women are overweight.
The study blamed poor eating habits, lack of exercise and genetics.
Brazil is still slim, however, compared to the United States, where a recent study showed 68 percent of the population was overweight.
[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100621/ap_on_he_me/lt_brazil_battle_of_the_bulge[/url][/QUOTE]
Obesity and overweight populations everywhere.
Whether you guys like it or not, it's the Americanization of US life style towards western societies in Europe, Asia and South America too. How you ask? US fast food chains, unhealthy snack foods and sweet beverages. The damage began in the early, mid-1980's when fast food chains expanded across the pond.
When I moved to Europe there were no fast food chains and in Copenhagen only 2 pizza restaurants. Now these food chains are so close to each other, you can smell the fat. Every street corner there today has a pizza take-out business. Before it was pubs. Everyone is drinking colas etc. now. The population is exercising less. I used to take public transportation or bicycle to my work about 6 km. one way. Now cheap Asian vehicles are available to almost everyone at affordable prices.
70% Americans are overweight and 1/3 obese. The epidemic has been spreading overseas for over 20 years. IMHO the desire to improve the bottom line yearly has caused these problems. People need to be educated on the dangers of putting junk food in their mouth.
Another reason why so many more people are overweight is the mix of ethnic groups in families.
Hey Aussie, when will you be in DK?