Opinion: Obesity epidemic becoming a global crisis

Letters to the editor: “The obese are digging their graves with their teeth.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Challenge for governments, health departments

Worldwide, Western nations lead the world in obesity levels, a product of affluence and poor choices. Globally, 13 per cent of the population are obese, 39 per cent of adults and one in five children overweight. It is a global crisis.

Australia ranks fifth of 23 nations with available data for obesity numbers for over 15s. Thirty per cent of Australians are at critically dangerous weights. Governments spend a greater portion of budgets combatting related health issues of the general population and the critical effect of obesity on our First Nation people.

To combat obesity, Western Australian hospitals will no longer sell sugared drinks through their vending machines. Two-thirds of Australians are either overweight or obese. It is at epidemic proportions and a consequence of behaviour and genetics.

Is this the “Nanny State” taking control of individual choice to combat the epidemic? The WA Government intends to further expand this ethos. Limitations on personal choice in a “Nanny State” culture takes away responsibility for individuals’ own actions.

The weight issue doesn’t seem to be a problem in developing countries where drought, corruption and poverty negatively impact population and food availability.

It is more than just a local issue. America leads the world in overweight populations.

With global communications and access to social media, low and middle-income citizens are more susceptible to marketing and promotion of junk food. Many opt for convenience and a treat; for some it often becomes a poor-choice lifestyle.

Health issues impacted by obesity contribute globally to eight per cent of fatal diseases. The narrative around our obesity epidemic and critical consequences continues to be a challenge for governments and health departments, requiring educational advertising.

The obese are digging their graves with their teeth.

- Eloise Rowe, Tannum Sands.

HARRY’S VIEW ON NEW CHIMP ENCOUNTER AT ROCKY ZOO

Harry's view on chimp encounters at the Rocky Zoo.

FACEBOOK COMMENTS

A pint-sized pest is getting away with attacking people outside the City Centre Plaza in South Rockhampton, and it seems there’s nothing that can be done about it.

Karen Westgarth: This little guy attached me outside Moore Eyes. His beak hit me just millimeters away from my left eye, hurt like hell, and scared the sh-- out of me as I didn’t know what it was until it flew back to its tree. So will nothing happen until someone is badly hurt?

Lisa-marie Parnell: I’ve been attacked too. That peewee thinks its a magpie.

Una Slatter: Crazy isn’t it, it can maim people, attack little kids & adults, cause accidents, yet it is protected.

Lawrie Capell: Peewee on steroids.

Benjamin Fitzgerald: In 2019 a peewee would attack me when I walked to work while going past the City Centre Plaza. After all they are a close relative to magpies so just cover your eyes as that’s where they can do the most damage.

 
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Originally published as Opinion: Obesity epidemic becoming a global crisis