Morning News Fix
September 25, 2007 by Sara Ost
Filed under Health, Morning News Fix, Obesity
“Why Are Our Kids Obese?” Scientists: “Um, Isn’t It Obvious?”
Scientists have released a study that essentially says kids are obese because, given our lifestyle, it would be weird if they weren’t. The environment children grow up in is all but designed to support obesity. The major problems: long school days with almost no emphasis on physical activity and the incessant marketing barrage of “fun” processed foods and drinks aimed exclusively at children.
‘Economy Class Syndrome’ Fear Is Overblown
The chance of developing a fatal blood clot in your cheapster seat is pretty low for most people. While it’s still a good idea to stretch during your flight, the actual risk only applies to about 1 in 5,000 people. Long-haul flights, being very tall or very short, pre-existing conditions, and oral contraceptive use increase the chances that you’re the “1″. Venous thromboembolism is when blood clots form in the legs (thank you, prolonged sitting) and escape to the heart, lungs, or brain. However, the scientists say many people are worrying needlessly and taking excessive safety precautions. For comparison, 1 in 5 of you will get in a traffic accident this year. Traveling by car is the number one killer of people under 44, in fact.
Thank Goodness for Geeks
Computer modeling may improve the accuracy and effectiveness of an important class of drugs. The technology being developed can predict structural changes in antibodies. The results are already exciting: in one cancer treatment that used the modeling, the drug’s binding affinity increased tenfold. That’s a good thing.
Re. Lifestyle Obesity –
Firstly, I reckon businesses that sell food within the grounds of education establishments have a moral responsibility to encourage healthy eating.
I’ve argued this elsewhere. Businesses, I’m told in response, cater to economic pressures. So if kids and teens want to eat junk, the business will sell junk, because that’s what sells the most. No business wants to make less money. That’s the way the world works, I’m told…..
Secondly, parents have a moral responsibility to give their children access to healthy food. This is more generally agreed upon. Yet I’d argue….well, I’d argue it’s the same argument…?
‘Secondly, parents have a moral responsibility to give their children access to healthy food.’
I wonder what percentage of parents actually know what healthy food is. How can healthy living and eating be reflected onto our kids if the adults lack even the most basic knowledge about nutrition?
This a serious problem, this genratons children are definately becomng more over-weight and obese! We should have more role models!!