so... What is to blame for the rising level of obesity in the west?
is it tv? poor diet? no exercise? bad parenting? something else?
and more importantly what can be done about it? How do we stop this rising problem. Especially with children.

The biggest problem with obesity is people themselves...leading a sedentary lifestyle, eating the wrong foods, way too little exercise. Too much blame is diverted elsewhere (media) instead of people looking at themselves. People need to put in the hard yards when it comes to wanting to tackle obesity; there is a desire for a quick fix but they never work. Thats more of a general blanket veiw for me, I understand there's a few variables in it as well...its not always black and white. Whatever it is that has to be done about tackling obesity...it really needs to be done with a degree of urgency as obesity costs a nation a lot in dollar terms and to be done for peoples welfare. The strain it puts on the health system is enormous. We are now seeing a generation of children that may possibly die before their parents because they are obese or morbidly so. Increased education, support for those wanting to improve their health, maybe financial incentives (as if the health incentives weren't enough) such as subsidised gym memberships or tax breaks for those who walk to work or cycle, having fresh fruit and vegetables made more readily available and more importantly more affordable. Having said that when people say that its cheaper and easier to go out and buy McDonalds as opposed to making their own meals at home, its a bit of a cop out and to me a load of rubbish for you could end up spending $25 on a meal at Maccas for say four people when you can feed them with a home meal from ingredients you buy at the shops for $10-15 dollars...I am talking from an Australian perspective, I have no idea what fast food and grocery items cost elsewhere.

It's numerous factors depending on circumstance, never one thing. As Raph said, sometimes the problem lies in the upbringing; from families who believe in tradition of rich meals and and more caloric and plentiful food. It's hard to change a routine that you have to live with under one house, and it's kind of a kick in the teeth at that because of it.

The other major factor, as Insano said, are people themselves. A lot of society these days are far too lazy to look after themselves, and we're in a nation now where everything comes cheap and easy, and things like exercise aren't really considered a necessity by a large band of people as "it requires effort", or whatever.

Hell, a McDonalds meal here costs slightly less than, if not the same as, a meal in an ordinary restaurant.

In my opinion, parents who let there children get fat shouldn't be parents. It's unfair on the children and unfair on society for them to produce such fat slobs because 'oh I just can't stop him eating'. Yes you can, stop giving him the fucking food for one. It's simple. Some kids like food, some kids dont. Now if you have a child who doesn't like food, people generally don't just say oh okay he doesn't want any so he doesn't have to eat in his life, so why is it the other way round for fat kids? Children who are fat/tubby have to be the most funniest amazingest person to not get the piss taken out of them for being fat, so it's not like they LIKE being fat is it. They like the food, yes, but the parents are the ones who BUY the food so its logic NOT to buy the fatty foods. DUH.

Adults who are obese I haven't really got any time for except those with general eating disorders. Obese adults are usually the products of their parents bad parenting and because of all the bullying and most of the time I've met them been complete obnoxious pricks. If your an adult and obese just because you are too lazy to do anything about it then you can bugger off. But if your obese because of a medical problem then you should obviously get help and support as much as any disabled person would.

but surely the very fact that someone is obese is evidence of an eating disorder?

One could wager that there are often extenuating circumstances as to why there is a predeliction to eating junk and a sedentary lifestyle.

Obesity is (from what I know from my mother who is a doctor) usually a phase that can sometimes occur in children 8 - 13. If it doesn't pass, than it is pretty much the falt of whoever decided to eat a couch.

*ahem*

Edited by user 15 September 2009 10:28:39(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

wow, that's harsh

Well, aren't most Americans still children? I'm sorry, but America is one of the least mature countries in the world, because they are so rich.

What?! You're a fucking idiot, please shut up.