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The future looks more like WALL-E than we'd hoped, according to OECD obesity rate projections.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you should be aware that our country has a serious weight problem. And if you have any doubts, a recent study by the the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) is fairly convincing: They estimate that three out of every four Americans will be obese in 10 years. The study, titled “Obesity and the Economics of Prevention: Fit to Fat”, outlines the current obesity epidemic in America and other OECD countries.
Americans aren’t the only ones headed for a real-life version of WALL-E; England, Canada, Australia, and even infamously-thin European countries like Italy and France are headed to alarmingly high obesity rates according to the OECD’s projections. That’s pretty cold comfort, though, considering the burden of all that weight. The OECD outlines some grave consequences of being obese, from health care costs to socioeconomic disadvantages, including a 30% higher chance of early death for every extra 15 kilograms (or about 33 pounds), 25% higher medical costs, and average earnings that are 18% less than normal weight workers.
Projected obesity rates for nine OECD countries, based on current trends.
Whether you believe that their projections are accurate, the consequences of obesity are serious enough that it’s worth assessing some solutions before we test their theory. The conclusion of their study is a recommendation to combine obesity-prevention policies like health promotion campaigns, taxes, subsidies, and government regulation, with individual approaches like health care counseling.
What do you think we should do to address the obesity epidemic?
via Shine
