Americans: A bit too jolly and obese for the British

The British have another criticism of the United States. We're getting too fat. In fact, according to a study published in the British medical journal, the Lancet, a (very) full one-half of all Americans will be obese by 2030.

LONDON, ENGLAND (Catholic Online) - This sizable crisis can only be averted by making significant changes to domestic food policy, the article says. Strategies would include making healthful foods cheaper while imposing taxes on less healthful foods. A major criticism of the U.S. food policy is that the cheapest food is also the least healthful. Changes in the marketing of food products were also suggested. 

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Obesity is becoming the number one health problem in America as more and more Americans begin to suffer the effects of poor diet and a lack of exercise. Obesity significantly reduces life expectancy and dramatically increases the costs of health care for everyone. Even healthy people pay in some ways as the increased cost to ensure and cover obese patients is spread amongst all payers. 

The report also criticized current weight loss doctrine in the U.S.. While weight loss has always been about burning more calories than one takes in, the report also recommended changing expectations about weight loss. Individuals must realize that by reducing calorie intake they can lose weight, but to do so and remain healthy, the program must be oriented to long-term goals, taking several years, something difficult for impatient dieters to do.

Recently, many Americans have resorted to weight loss surgery to rapidly shed pounds, but such measures are dramatic and do not always provide lasting results because patients do not maintain healthy habits. 

The report also criticized governments for abandoning responsibility in addressing the obesity epidemic. However, it also acknowledged that while government could play a major role in reducing obesity, the ultimate choice, and responsibility, remains with the individual.

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