The International Obesity Task Force(IOTF) is a global network of expertise, a research-led think tank and advocacy arm of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. They are working to alert the world to the growing health crisis threatened by soaring levels of obesity.  According to the IOTF:

• It is more than half a century since obesity was introduced into the international classification of diseases. In the 21st century it has become an epidemic. Yet even now it is not fully recognized as a disease even by some members of the medical profession. The links between overweight and obesity and a range of other serious diseases from diabetes and heart disease to cancer are more clearly understood, yet we are slow to mobilize action to tackle this world-wide problem effectively. Obesity levels in some countries have doubled in recent years and are rising in developing countries too. The consequences of ignoring obesity are increasing levels of serious illness and rising health costs.

According to the American Journal of Public Health:

• Television viewing may be a sedentary activity, but it is not for that reason that it is associated with obesity in children. The relationship between television viewing and obesity among children is limited to commercial television viewing and probably operates through the effect of advertising obesogenic foods on television.  Download the PDF here.

READ MORE: Commercials Are the Culprit in TV-Obesity Link, on Well and on TIMES TOPICS, Obesity, The New York Times.

Comments

• Written by Fay
  

• You should read as well

  • Being Fat Can Shrink Your Brain, But That’s Just The Beginning…
  • Wisconsin School Cut Crime by Changing the Menu
  • 6 Tips For Parents to Create a Healthful Environment
  • “Farmers’ Markets Would Become Like a Fruit & Vegetable Pharmacy…”
  • Top Five Myths About Children’s Vitamins – MYTH # 2: If you take vitamins, you can eat whatever you want.

  Zemanta