In advance of the World Health Summit held in Paris in October 2010, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) [an international organization consisting of 34 member countries that addresses the economic, social and governance challenges member-countries face in a globalized economy] released a report, Obesity and the Economics of Prevention: Fit not Fat, in September 2010 that states:
Obesity has risen to the top of the public health policy agenda worldwide. Before 1980, rates were generally well below 10%. They have since doubled or tripled in many countries, and in almost half of the OECD, 50% or more of the population is overweight. A key risk factor for numerous chronic diseases, obesity is a major public health concern.
Of the 33 nations the OECD studied, the top five countries leading the world in obesity (from first to fifth) are the United States, Mexico, Chile, New Zealand and the United kingdom. The report documents 34 percent of Americans are obese (defined as 30 pounds or more overweight) and another 34 percent are overweight. The OECD projects that 3 out of 4 Americans will be overweight or obese within 10 years, or by 2020.
Now that’s something to think about before we chow down on a bacon-cheese burger with lettuce, special sauce and pickles on a sesame seed bun, a side of fries and washed down with a sugar-filled drink … super-sized.
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