Adult, childhood obesity now a global problem

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Published: November 01, 2005 01:39 am

Adult, childhood obesity now a global problem

Five years ago, just under half of Norman's adults considered

themselves overweight or obese. Last year, that percentage was up to

nearly 58 percent, according to the Community Report Card.

Such an increase caused a flag to be placed on the report card,

indicating it is a trend that we all should be concerned with. It's

not just a local issue, either. Foreign Policy magazine reports

obesity has become a worldwide problem.

The magazine, in its November-December issue, reports both rich and

poor countries are packing on the pounds. The authors, directors of

a food policy and obesity center at Yale University, blame high-fat

foods that are cheap and readily available, lack of exercise and

increasing urbanization.

As obesity rates soar, so too does the number of people with

diabetes. In 1985, the magazine reports, 30 million people had

diabetes. By 1995, that number had soared to 135 million and

estimates are that between 2000 and 2030 the number of persons with

diabetes will be about 366 million.

The problem is not just adults, either. The authors' report today's

youth are officially the worst couch potatoes in history. Television

lures them for hours on end and junk food advertisements bombard

them at school and at home. Thirty percent of Iran's children are

considered overweight compared to about 25 percent in the United

States and Australia.

The authors also say being overweight has replaced unsafe drinking

water as a cause of death in developing countries. In rich

countries, like the U.S., average life expectancies may decline by

as many as five years unless drastic measures to combat obesity are

taken soo