The Great Weight Debate, A Look At Diet And Lifestyle Verses Genetics.

It seems the answer to the ever growing obesity problem sweeping the world and getting worse each day is divided between the experts. One side seems adamant the genetic makeup plays a major role, then there are those other experts that argue strongly it is diet, not enough exercise and the modern lifestyle that pose a greater problem than the genetics in the majority of overweight, to chronically obese people.

It is probable you will have your own feelings on the subject but one thing that everyone should agree on is the subject of weight and obesity needs to be debated far more than it is to draw attention to this massive problem.

Overweight to the chronically obese, this snowballing problem is not going to go away, in fact recent figures suggest more than 31% of all Americans, 25% of Mexicans, 23% of United Kingdom residents are affected directly and unfortunately the list is not confined to these few countries, the question is can it reach an end?

If there is one thing all health experts do agree on it is that this killer has no boundaries, it does not discriminate between the sexes or age, it does not care where you reside but it certainly thrives on the way you live.

Stepping outside the circle and not wanting to ignore any of the detailed and extensive research done by those professionals and their organizations that have devoted many hours to the genes verses diet debate; however I would like to express some personal observations.

Having read many articles relating to the genetics argument, I would like to look objectively at the diet and lifestyle issues here. Yes, it is fair to say I cannot claim formal qualifications in this field, what I do have however is a lifetime closely connected to the obesity issues, as well as simply observing people.

Have you ever just sat at a coffee shop in the middle of a shopping mall, or sat in a park maybe near the beach and just watch the people walk by. If you try this method of observation you will see very quickly, there are an awful lot of people walking past that don't follow healthy diets. Sitting there for just a short period you are sure to see several families "very overweight" walking by with hands full of "junk food" yes, healthy diet stuff like, MacDonald's, Burger King, Dagwood dogs, hot dogs and then off they go to ice creamery or the donut shop for a nice healthy dessert, yep, one healthy diet, any wonder why Mum, Dad and the kids are just a little or maybe a lot on the fat side. Oh, look following a few paces behind, is this the family dog, looks like another member of the family has fallen victim of poor diet from the look of that very round torso. Kind of hard to see the gene pool theory at work here.

Okay, from here we will visit the local supermarket and observe the family doing the weekly shopping. Take a look in those shopping trolleys as you walk along the aisles. Just look at what Mum, Dad and the kids are pulling from the shelf in preparation for next week's dietary needs. A quick glance indicates all are carrying a few extra pounds, now just have a quick look at next week's diet in that trolley, potato chips, boxes of soft drink cans, cream biscuits, chocolates, is there some fresh fruit and vegetables in that shopping trolley, surely there must have been?

Alright I was being a bit cynical but the worst part about my cynical look at the shopping trip is, more times than you would imagine it is true.

Being honest with ourselves for a moment, we are well aware the consequence of poor diet and a "careless" attitude to exercise are the most significant factors in the ever growing obesity problem that is taking a stronger and stronger hold in many countries around the world. There is no doubt there is a valid argument, a certain portion of people that are classed as obese have a genuine genetic issue when it comes to weight loss but how do we lay the blame on genetic issues when Mum, Dad, the kids and the family pets are all overweight? Simply you cannot, the only reason here is lifestyles and diet issues.

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