So on the one end of the scale we are desperately trying to find the secret to longer life and on the other end, due to our considerable ‘good fortune’ of abundancy, we may just have found a way to reduce our lifespan as a result of our current habits. Below is another take on an article we published previously regarding a new study detailing how the benefits of quitting smoking in relation to life expectancy may be offset by the fact that obesity is on the rise. Couple with this the fact that obesity is also linked with chronic conditions such as heart disease and obesity, this may in fact make matters worse. And just so it’s clear, although this is an American study, you can be sure the forecast is just as dire for the rest of the world (apparently Australia has the worst obesity rate in the world?).
Although we do know these things about smoking and obesity – will that make you reconsider your current lifestyle? Evidence suggests otherwise and this is due to the fact that there is so much disinformation out there about what food we eat and the fact that like smoking, many things are addictive. And then there is our complete disregard for delayed gratification – 2020 is forever away and it’s the holidays and you’ll start sorting your health out next year, right? How long have you been thinking like this? Was it your plan last year too? Did your health improve or get worse over the past 5 years?
We can all do a little more to look after ourselves – even if you feel things aren’t desperate for you at the moment – to ensure we take good care of ourselves for the future and set a good example for our children, family and friends. Especially during the holidays.
You can read more about the study we were talking about below:
Obesity Rise Trumps Smoking Decline
If past trends continue, nearly half of adults in the U.S. will meet the World Health Organization criteria for obesity by 2020, the forecast projects.
Better management of chronic conditions closely linked to obesity, including heart disease and diabetes, would also change the forecast, the researchers noted.
