JOHNSON: Obesity ‘epidemic’: It’s no big, fat deal

The Washington Times ^ | June 13, 2014 | Drew Johnson

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

A British medical journal announced a finding last month that might be the best news in the history of the world: Nearly one out of three people in the world is overweight.

Members of the media responded to this thrilling discovery by lamenting the globe’s growing waistline. Pundits rushed to condemn widespread access to inexpensive food. Everyone seemed so excited to attack obesity that no one noticed the report’s incredible story of human achievement and hope.

Throughout history, malnutrition and hunger-related health issues have killed more people than any other cause. Over the course of the past half-century, however, the development of high-yield, disease-resistant crops, modern irrigation methods, and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides combined with improved transportation systems and the explosion of market-based economies throughout the world have made food far more plentiful, affordable and available than ever before. As a result, the world produces enough food to feed every person living today.

Even those who can’t afford food commonly have access to several meals a day through devoted charities, generous individuals and public-assistance programs.

Now, when people die of malnutrition or starvation, it’s almost always a result of war, political unrest or failed government policies that mismanage distribution of crops or food.

The tremendous advancements made in farming and food production have turned obesity into a bigger threat to humanity than starvation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even refers to obesity as an “epidemic.”

If obesity is an epidemic, it’s too bad there aren’t more like it. This epidemic is the result of so much available food that most people in the world can eat what they want, when they want. The consequences of this epidemic include a dramatic reduction in childhood deaths from malnutrition, better health across the globe and greatly increased longevity.

[a fool in paradise]

Well, all of this “freedom” sounds great, until we get the bills for expensive medical care and our society pays a (VERY high cost) for shortened work lives.

IF that is the criteria by which we judge others then no way in HELL should schools be pushing homosexuality as a lifestyle choice on youths.

Homosexualists die at far younger ages and HIV/AIDS medications don't come cheap.

[Nifster]

I hear you. That is what I do for my son-in-law every year... He is very tall and very thin and trying to get a 34 inch inseam matched with a 27 inch waist just seems to only come from special orders