According to a French news agency report I read recently, people in Japan walk an average of 6.5 kilometers a day while people in the United States walk about 1,500 steps a day. The US is the world’s fattest country in terms of obesity rates while Japan is the thinnest. Obviously walking alone isn’t the only remedy for being overweight. People in Japan eat a lot of seafood and soups while people in the United States eat a lot of cheeseburgers and French fries.
The report cited in this news report said obesity is a global epidemic, especially in countries with higher per capita incomes. Nutritionists and medical doctors believe that a number of factors contribute to obesity, including the role of parents — not just as high trans-fat enablers, but also in encouraging eating disorders. What parents need to do is to teach sensible eating habits.
Genetics, too, plays a role, no doubt, as do psychological health, sleeping habits and the rate of physical activity. (One study even shows that breast-feeding might help children grow up leaner.)
Saudi Arabia used to have sensible eating habits. But today for various reasons 29 percent of Saudi men and 27 percent of women are clinically obese. The rate of obesity has grown by 30 percent since the mid-90s, one of the highest growth rates in the world.
Dr. Barry M. Popkin, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, estimates that one billion people worldwide are suffering from obesity due to changing eating habits (i.e., seafood to fast food).
The growth of white-collar jobs in many countries have created generations of desk jockeys whose rate of physical activity can be measured by the number of steps to and from their cars for their daily commutes. Few Saudis are hitting the treadmill at the gym, or speed walking on the Corniche. We have been overcome by the temptation of eating crisps in front of the television.
In my estimation, determination and the strong will can cure this epidemic, which, among other things, is skyrocketing the rate of diabetes.
Eating right is better than eating less, though a combination of the two works best. And always keep in mind that how much you eat must be met with a considerable amount of exercise time.
