Obesity Rise Trumps Smoking Decline --- Study: Life Expectancy Rise in U.S. to Slow

[HuckleB]

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20091202/obesity-rise-trumps-smoking-decline

"...

In an effort to forecast the effect of the rise in obesity and decline in smoking on health at the population level over the next decade, researchers from Harvard University and the University of Michigan examined data from national health surveys conducted from the early 1970s through 2006.

Their study appears in the Dec. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

In every scenario tested, the researchers found that the negative health impact of not addressing the obesity epidemic outweighed the benefits derived from the decline in smoking.

..."


Yowsa...

[HuckleB]

1. Who did this offend, and why was it so offensive as to deserve an unrec?

Just curious.

[NMDemDist2]

2. i saw a fascinating lecture on UCTV the other night on obesity

http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16717&subject=health

edit to add, I bought you back to even recs :hi:

[HuckleB]

4. Thanks. I'll check out the lecture later tonight!

Cheers!

[NMDemDist2]

7. what did you think? n/t

[HuckleB]

10. He's on to something, I suspect.

I definitely learned a few new things, and his assessment is very much in line with that of some Harvard researchers I saw speak in grad-school several years ago. Alas, the actual science of nutrition doesn't seem to get to the general public. Still, I think there's more to it than this. What, I'm not smart enough to say.

Thanks!

:hi:

[Warpy]

9. Looks like he's full of it

because sugar consumption has been higher in this country with lower obesity rates.

Something else is at work with the current epidemic obesity. The moralists need to give it a rest and the scientists need to get cracking on it.

[madrchsod]

3. looks like mine counted....

the facts do not lie

[Fridays Child]

5. So, is this just saying that, in terms of our national health...

...the rise in obesity is wiping out any improvement resulting from decreased tobacco use? I can't imagine why the thread would be unrecommended. It's not okay to ridicule anyone because of their size but that's not what this is about. Obesity is an epidemic disease. It must be openly discussed to be completely understood.

[mzmolly]

6. So we should start smoking in droves again?

;)

[Warpy]

8. If they want life expectancy to rise in the US

they need to institute universal single payer health insurance now.

That trumps everything.

[HuckleB]

11. No argument there.

[Thirtieschild]

12. Personal experience re smoking and obesity. Sigh.

I smoked for 28 years and have gained 70 pounds since I quit 27 years ago. A quarter pound or so a month doesn't sound like much, but over time will do it. I exercise regularly, am careful with my diet and am stuck at close to 200 pounds.