A study into worldwide obesity rates that has been published in the medical journal the Lencet, shows that Australia has the fastest growing obesity rates of anywhere country in the world. The study shows that a massive 63% of adults and 25% of all children are now overweight.
On current statistics Australia’s obesity rate has now caught up to America is is just behind the New Zealand figures.
Health experts are now calling on the government to intervene by creating a national anti obesity strategy.
The issues surrounding the obesity epidemic are similar to the issues that surround the tobacco industry. It has now been shown that foods which a loaded with processed sugar, salts and fats are in actual fact addictive. It has also been shown that sugar is an addictive substance and can also become a substance of abuse.
The food industry produces addictive processed foods which are packaged and then line our supermarket shelves. Many of these foods are seen as a healthy choices and yet they contain high amounts of processed sugars. With such a high level of processed sugar consumption it is no wonder Australia’s obesity rates have escalated.
Until the question of supplying addictive, sugar loaded foods is addressed the obesity epidemic will most likely continue to escalate.
Follow this link to view how the story was reported by the ABC.
Follow this link to view an abstract of the Study published on the 29/5/14 in The Lancet Journal.
