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Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 3:59:25 AM

Level

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I decided there were not enough threads about weight here at CM, so here's another one.

SYDNEY (AFP) - The world now has more overweight people than hungry ones and governments should design economic strategies to influence national diets, a conference of international experts have heard.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060814/hl_afp/healthobesityhungerconferenceaustralia_060814092201

_____________________________

Fake the heat and scratch the itch
Skinned up knees and salty lips
Let go it's harder holding on
One more trip and I'll be gone

~~ Stone Temple Pilots

Post #: 1

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 4:21:46 AM

LadyEllen

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From: Stourport-England
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Its not about intalling national dietary policy, its about ensuring fair trade for the poor and making sure their efforts to produce some of the food we overconsume in the west, are rewarded with adequate returns in terms of market price, (rather than them suffering break even or loss on the commodity markets from which more westerners grow fat financially), so that they can afford to feed themselves and their children.

The unregulated market is not a mechanism for ensuring that social needs are met. The unregulated market is based on exploitation of the weak by the strong at any given point in time; we had the same in relation to the labour market until unions were formed and adequate wage settlements had to be agreed by business owners; workers had until then been paid just enough to ensure they would have the strength for more work tomorrow. We now have to do something similar for the whole world to solve hunger.

Such a solution would also make food more expensive in the west, leading according to market theory to less demand. NB we are not talking about westerners starving by that mechanism, merely consuming less - which by the obesity statistics we certainly can afford to. The mechanism should operate to ensure that food resources and/or wealth to acquire them are more adequately shared out worldwide - with the west assuming a healthy profile by way of reduction and the third world assuming a healthy profile by way of increase.

But then of course there are profits to think about - a corporation's bottom line is far more important as we all know, than some 25 stone guy in the west killing himself with more sugar or some 4 stone African dying from hunger. The suggestion to alter diets is designed to do something about the former, whilst ensuring the maintenance of profits by way of "healthier options" ranges, whilst doing nothing about the latter.
E

(in reply to Level)

Post #: 2

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 8:03:06 AM

juliaoceania

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From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
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It makes me think it is something they are doing to processed foods that is causing this, along with inactivity.

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Post #: 3

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 9:11:09 AM

MistressLorelei

Posts: 997
Joined: 11/7/2005
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This article makes it sound like being hungry and undernourished is better than being overweight. Neither is a good thing, but certainly, in today's world we should not have 800 million hungry, undernourished people anywhere.

Edited to add:

Hi Level <smiles and waves>

< Message edited by MistressLorelei -- 8/15/2006 9:13:28 AM >

(in reply to juliaoceania)

Post #: 4

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 1:06:37 PM

NakedOnMyChain

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From: Indiana
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Level

SYDNEY (AFP) - The world now has more overweight people than hungry ones and governments should design economic strategies to influence national diets, a conference of international experts have heard.

I would be more than happy to donate my extra weight to the needy.

_____________________________

"Oh, it's torture, but I'm almost there."
~The Cure

"I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave."
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Post #: 5

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 1:09:21 PM

Dauric

Posts: 254
Joined: 7/13/2006
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I don't really think it's food intake that's the issue. It's treating the symptom, not the disease.

Part of it is we have a mass marketing pressure to buy and "Consume". You get more for your dollar when you "Super Size". "Hummer's make you invincible and immune to assholes" (although in my opinion they just make more assholes). Don't discount the power of marketing; there's a entire industry out there that makes billions every year applying the latest in psycology and technology to trigger your basist instincts.

Another part is stress, and too much stress causes hormone releases that make your body hoard calories. Every day we are asked to do more with less resources and for less money and benefits. Inflation drives prices up while our employers seek to improve the "borrom line" by reducing our pay. Outsourcing sends jobs overseasa so we have to provide more value for the dollar than someone in India, China, or Mexico thay can pay for a pittance. All the while te media and marketers seek to increase our anxiety, telling us how we aren't complete with GadgetX and our sexual intercourse is inferior without DrugY.

Finally, in a similar vein to the second part, we have no time. We work more hours, overscheduele our kids, and suffer more insomnia with each passing day. "Lunch Hours" are barely 20 minutes long. We eat fatty processed foods because we have no time to select something to cook from the grovery store, much less actually give it the time to cook it properly.

Legislating our eating habits will only make things worse.

And my $0.02 won't even buy you a 'tall' latte.

Dauric.

(in reply to MistressLorelei)

Post #: 6

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 1:36:57 PM

BlkTallFullfig

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Joined: 6/25/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: MistressLorelei
This article makes it sound like being hungry and undernourished is better than being overweight. Neither is a good thing, but certainly, in today's world we should not have 800 million hungry, undernourished people anywhere.

I agree...
I actually do share my food or ability to buy it with some of the undernourished of the world, and wish more people would do that with their money than buying more cars, plastic surgery, but that would be moi almost getting on my soapbox. *sigh* M

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(in reply to MistressLorelei)

Post #: 7

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 2:01:17 PM

Bearlee

Posts: 2311
Joined: 10/25/2004
From: South Central CO
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quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

It makes me think it is something they are doing to processed foods that is causing this, along with inactivity.

Yup... it's called sugar and carbohydrates and fat; all the stuff that’s ‘addicting’ to the palate. While my kitchen was all torn apart, I was eating a BUNCH of processed food…which I never do. I was shocked to find how much sugar and carbohydrates there are in some foods. And salt!!! OMG Some burritos sold at 7/11 (where I could get hot food) have more salt in that single item than a person needs in an entire day! Reminds me of that movie where the guy gained all that weight eating at McDonald’s for a month. Dang, some of those burger-meals have enough calories for an entire day! And...people 'snack' on this stuff? WOW There outta be a law! (okay...not, but still!)

beverly

(in reply to juliaoceania)

Post #: 8

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 2:04:50 PM

Bearlee

Posts: 2311
Joined: 10/25/2004
From: South Central CO
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Oh, and the fact that our fast-food stores are appearing all over the world, including third-world countries, is more than a little embarrasing! Right up there with our attempt to get women (including those in third-world countries) to quit nursing and purchase formula, instead. gggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

<wince>

(in reply to Bearlee)

Post #: 9

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 3:07:47 PM

Vancouver_cinful

Posts: 1911
Joined: 2/3/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: NakedOnMyChain

I would be more than happy to donate my extra weight to the needy.

NOMC, no baby news yet?

<--Watching for that big birth announcement!

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Cin

quote:

My Karma Account is huge, but I just can't seem to make a withdrawal!!

http://cinful.wordpress.com

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Post #: 10

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 3:17:18 PM

Vancouver_cinful

Posts: 1911
Joined: 2/3/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Dauric

Part of it is we have a mass marketing pressure to buy and "Consume". You get more for your dollar when you "Super Size". "Hummer's make you invincible and immune to assholes" (although in my opinion they just make more assholes). Don't discount the power of marketing; there's a entire industry out there that makes billions every year applying the latest in psycology and technology to trigger your basist instincts.

Absolutely. There is pressure to buy into the more-is-better philosophy. We now expect restuarants to pile on the food. We expect huge portion sizes, and feel cheated if we don't feel too-stuffed-to-move afterwards.

We tell ourselves we are just trying to get our money's worth.

When I go out to eat at such a place now, I go with the idea that I am bringing food home for the next day. I don't pressure myself to eat the whole thing, I eat half. It's amazing how much difference it makes. You can still enjoy a rich seafood linguini once in a while, but plan to have it for lunch the next day, or whatever.

Better money value, too.

Fast food restaurants taking over Europe and Asia is a huge mistake, too. They'll be suffering for that in no time. ::sigh::

_____________________________

Cin

quote:

My Karma Account is huge, but I just can't seem to make a withdrawal!!

http://cinful.wordpress.com

(in reply to Dauric)

Post #: 11

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 3:44:13 PM

MistressLorelei

Posts: 997
Joined: 11/7/2005
Status: offline

I think technology is the culprit. We have the ability to create highly processed, fat filled foods in pretty packaging, which require little effort to prepare. Then these products are advertised on the television... which people are just sitting in front of, not moving whatsoever. When there is nothing good on TV, the computer, or video games are other sedentary activities. And, kids are learning early about which sugary foods they want, and which video games they want to play.... by seeing them advertised on TV.

(in reply to Vancouver_cinful)

Post #: 12

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 4:53:51 PM

Level

Posts: 25145
Joined: 3/3/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: MistressLorelei

This article makes it sound like being hungry and undernourished is better than being overweight. Neither is a good thing, but certainly, in today's world we should not have 800 million hungry, undernourished people anywhere.

Edited to add:

Hi Level <smiles and waves>

Hi back atcha Lorelei , and I agree with your statements.

_____________________________

Fake the heat and scratch the itch
Skinned up knees and salty lips
Let go it's harder holding on
One more trip and I'll be gone

~~ Stone Temple Pilots

(in reply to MistressLorelei)

Post #: 13

RE: Weight of the World - 8/15/2006 5:17:06 PM

CatNmouse2002

Posts: 110
Joined: 5/15/2006
Status: offline

I am quoting this simply becouse I like I think Dauric is on to something .

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dauric

I don't really think it's food intake that's the issue. It's treating the symptom, not the disease.

Part of it is we have a mass marketing pressure to buy and "Consume". You get more for your dollar when you "Super Size". "Hummer's make you invincible and immune to assholes" (although in my opinion they just make more assholes). Don't discount the power of marketing; there's a entire industry out there that makes billions every year applying the latest in psycology and technology to trigger your basist instincts.

Another part is stress, and too much stress causes hormone releases that make your body hoard calories. Every day we are asked to do more with less resources and for less money and benefits. Inflation drives prices up while our employers seek to improve the "borrom line" by reducing our pay. Outsourcing sends jobs overseasa so we have to provide more value for the dollar than someone in India, China, or Mexico thay can pay for a pittance. All the while te media and marketers seek to increase our anxiety, telling us how we aren't complete with GadgetX and our sexual intercourse is inferior without DrugY.

Finally, in a similar vein to the second part, we have no time. We work more hours, overscheduele our kids, and suffer more insomnia with each passing day. "Lunch Hours" are barely 20 minutes long.

I am with you up till here almost 100%

quote:

We eat fatty processed foods because we have no time to select something to cook from the grovery store, much less actually give it the time to cook it properly.

I think it has more to do with personal choice and off that of course we go back to the advertising and marketing . People , for the most part , eat what they choose to . Me and the mouse try to cook or prepair our lunches and snacks the day before . I know this HAS to of occured to others out there .

quote:

Legislating our eating habits will only make things worse.

And my $0.02 won't even buy you a 'tall' latte.

Dauric.

Back to agreeing with you 100 % on this final point . I would like to add that If people are properly educated and are shown the results of a proper diet from birth there would be no need to regulate their food .

What a splendid pie
Pizza pizza pie
Every minute, every second
Buy buy buy buy buy
What a splendid pie
Pizza pizza pie
Every minute, every second
Buy buy buy buy buy

Pepperoni and green peppers
Mushrooms, olive, chives
Pepperoni and green peppers
Mushrooms, olive, chives

Need therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes
Need therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes

What a splendid pie
Pizza pizza pie
Every minute, every second
Buy buy buy buy buy BUY
What a splendid pie
pizza pizza pie
every minute, every second
Buy buy buy buy buy

Pepperoni and green peppers
Mushrooms, olive, chives
Pepperoni and green peppers
Mushrooms, olive, chives

Need therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes

Well advertisings got you on the run
Need therapy, therapy, advertising causes
Well advertisings got you on the run
Need therapy, therapy, advertising causes
Well advertisings got you on the run
Advertisings got you on the run
Advertisings got you on the run
Advertisings got you on the run
Advertisings got you on the run
Advertisings got you on the run
Advertisings got you on the run

What a splendid pie
Pizza pizza pie
Every minute, every second
Buy buy buy buy buy
What a splendid pie
Pizza pizza pie
Every minute, every second
Buy buy buy buy buy

Pepperoni and green peppers
Mushrooms, olive, chives
Pepperoni and green peppers
Mushrooms, olive, chives

Need therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need
Therapy, therapy
Advertising causes need

--SOAD

(in reply to Dauric)

Post #: 14

RE: Weight of the World - 8/16/2006 12:53:19 AM

Dauric

Posts: 254
Joined: 7/13/2006
Status: offline

quote:

I am with you up till here almost 100%

quote:

We eat fatty processed foods because we have no time to select something to cook from the grovery store, much less actually give it the time to cook it properly.

I think it has more to do with personal choice and off that of course we go back to the advertising and marketing . People , for the most part , eat what they choose to . Me and the mouse try to cook or prepair our lunches and snacks the day before . I know this HAS to of occured to others out there .

Well, this comes from my own expereinces in the software development industry (web development mostly), but I'm not going to say that it only happens in that field. I've pulled two months of 7 days a week, 16 hours a day. If I had errands to run, I got to have a double-dose of insomnia. When you hit "The Push" before the deadline, y'know the one that got pushed back two months on account of someone's 'accounting error'... there's no time for much of anything. On that kind of insanity, no, you don't have time to cook.

For those who say have someone else cook for you, think about it: working like that there's no time to -have- someone else in your life, period. That's the chief reason I quit that shit.

Might there have been other options? Probably, but at the time I was -wayyyyyy- too brain-fried to know what they might have been.

And for all that work all I'm left with is $0.02.

Dauric.

< Message edited by Dauric -- 8/16/2006 1:00:49 AM >

(in reply to CatNmouse2002)

Post #: 15

RE: Weight of the World - 8/16/2006 7:31:30 AM

MistressLorelei

Posts: 997
Joined: 11/7/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dauric

Well, this comes from my own expereinces in the software development industry (web development mostly), but I'm not going to say that it only happens in that field. I've pulled two months of 7 days a week, 16 hours a day. If I had errands to run, I got to have a double-dose of insomnia. When you hit "The Push" before the deadline, y'know the one that got pushed back two months on account of someone's 'accounting error'... there's no time for much of anything. On that kind of insanity, no, you don't have time to cook.

For those who say have someone else cook for you, think about it: working like that there's no time to -have- someone else in your life, period. That's the chief reason I quit that shit.

Might there have been other options? Probably, but at the time I was -wayyyyyy- too brain-fried to know what they might have been.

And for all that work all I'm left with is $0.02.

Dauric.

Most anyone has time if they chooose to make it. People make time for morning coffee at work, cigarette breaks, time for a personal phone call. At home, free time is spent on the computer, watching TV. We all have the time, except when we need to use 'not having time' as an excuse.

We are a lazy society... convenience is our weakness. Healthy food is often easier to prepare than unhealthy food.... even the packaged kind. Bring an apple to work, sit it at your desk.... or go the machine, and buy a Snickers?

(in reply to Dauric)

Post #: 16

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