ok, i am super bo liao. i was so bored shaking legs and reading "IFRS – UK GAAP: A Comparison" in office today that more than half the time, i was toggling between bbc.co.uk and asia1.com. This was what i found:
From bbc.co.uk
The UK is the country most attached to fast food, closely followed by the United States, a survey has suggested.
A poll of 9,000 people in 13 nations, alongside a BBC investigation into global obesity, found vast variations in attitudes towards food and weight.
Many French get on the scales every day the poll found, while Singaporeans are the least likely to weigh themselves.
People are now said to be getting fatter in most of the world, with the exception of parts of Asia.
The three-day BBC series will look at the problems arising from the trend and what can be done about it.
This study, by market research firm Synovate, questioned 9,000 people in 13 countries across five continents.
Few people blamed their government for rising levels of obesity: the largest number of respondents blamed the food that was now available.
People in the UK and the US were the most likely to nominate "no self discipline" as the leading factor in obesity.
These two nations also had the most respondents who said they would be unable to give up fast food.
Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings.
Middle east diets
The survey also threw up some other interesting geographical variations.
Saudi Arabians and those from the United Arab Emirates were among the top consumers of low-fat food products, meal replacements and food supplements.
They were also the most interested in weight-loss courses, gym memberships and home exercise equipment.
"People are inherently contradictory and nowhere is it more obvious than on such a sensitive and important issue such as their weight," said Steve Garton of Synovate.
"The results show there’s a world of people who cannot deny themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola."
A recent study of men and women in 63 countries found between half and two-thirds of men were overweight or obese in 2006.
The populations of Canada and South Africa currently lead the way, with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29 – a calculation that takes into account both height and weight.
There is still some debate about the exact health risk posed by rising levels of obesity, but those who are overweight do have a higher risk of heart disease, Type II diabetes and other diseases including some cancers.
It is thought that an increasingly sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in rising obesity rates.
Health analysts warn that obesity-related illness threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems around the world.
Neville Rigby, of the International Obesity Task Force, said: "It is serious for individuals, but it is also serious for countries.
"Reports from the World Health Organization have shown that preventing chronic disease can have major economic benefits, and failing to do so can have major economic disadvantages."
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "This survey is a sad indictment of current eating habits in the UK."
Peter Hollins, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation said: "If we are to tackle the growing obesity crisis it is vital that Britain’s junk food addiction is addressed.
"But this isn’t going to happen whilst a junk-dominated diet is being normalised through the constant barrage of advertising and promotions."
And from asia1.com:
Britain tops fast-food league, as world obesity grows
Survey confirmed growing concern, but noted different strategies around the world for tackling it. -AFP
Wed, Jan 02, 2008
AFP
LONDON – BRITONS are the world’s biggest fans of fast food, just ahead of Americans, while famously gastronomic French are the least attracted by quick meals, according to a study published on Wednesday.
The survey of 13 countries also confirmed growing concern over obesity worldwide, but noted different priorities and strategies in different parts of the world for tackling it.
‘People are inherently contradictory and nowhere is it more obvious than on such a sensitive and important issue as their weight,’ said Steve Garton of polling body Synovate, who produced the survey jointly with the BBC.
‘The results show there’s a world of people who cannot deny themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola.’
In terms of fast food, Britain 45 per cent of Britons agreed with the statement ‘I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up’ ahead of 44 per cent for Americans and Canadians at 37 per cent.
France disagrees
The French, long proud of their reputation for high-class cuisine, strongly disagree: 81 per cent rejected the statement, followed by 75 per cent of Singaporeans and 73 per cent of people from Hong Kong and Romania.
‘Britons love their fish and chips,’ said Mr Garton, while Synovate’s head in France Thierry Pailleux underlined the different Gallic perspective.
‘French people take care of their image as a matter of course. Being thin is part of our culture and a point of pride,’ he said.
‘On top of this there is increasing awareness of the devastation obesity can cause to one’s health.’
Overall the obesity problem is fuelling increasing concern worldwide – although some are more concerned than others.
Step on the scale
Fifteen per cent of French people and 12 per cent of Americans weigh themselves every single day, while at the other end of the spectrum only 15 per cent of Hong Kongers get on the scales once or more every week. (How come this statement in both articles seem to imply different things??)
In terms of how to shed weight there are also different strategies.
Globally most people say cutting food intake is the best answer, followed by 43 per cent who do more exercise.
But there are regional variations: 57 per cent of Americans, 56 per cent of French and 54 per cent of Britons cut down on food to shed pounds, while 14 per cent of Malaysians opt for herbs and supplements to cut their weight.
People in the Middle East seem to combine all strategies: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the top users of low-fat products and meal replacements, but also gym memberships and home exercise equipment. — AFP
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