The Whole World Is Becoming Fatter!

at 4:30 AM

In the Middle East people are getting fatter too.   A new study shows that 50-70% women in the Gulf states such as the Gulf state of Qatar are obese.  According to a paper that was presented at the Obesity Society' annual conference last year, the overweight are less productive than thin.  They take more time off work because of their various ailments, and when they are at work the morbidly obese produce less, equivalent to 22 days of lost production per year.  We are marching (or waddling) towards obesity at an incredible rate.  We should teach our children that we shouldn't be like Pooh Bear for whom it is always time for a snack.

Here are some numbers to chew on:

1.  $1,429- additional amount obese people spent on medical costs over normal-weight people in 2006

2.  $12.8 billion-annual loses to U.S. businesses from absenteeism due to obesity

3.  $60 million-annual cost to the U.S. military of recruiting and training replacements for first-term enlistees discharged due to weight problems

4.  5.6 million in 1980- Diagnosed cases of diabetes in the U.S.

5.  17.4 million in 2007- Diagnosed cases of diabetes in the U.S.

6. Prevalence of obesity in children: From 1976-1980- 5% in ages 2-5; 6.5% in ages 6-11.  From 2007-2008- prevalence of obesity in children in ages 2-5 was 10.4% but this prevalence in ages 6-11 jumped to 19.6%.
7. Prevalence of obesity in children: from