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Ah, but check out the chart about average temperature, we might not need as much clothing after all! In all seriousness, I’ll take an obesity crisis over starv
by achamayou 8y ago
Ah, but check out the chart about average temperature, we might not need as much clothing after all!
In all seriousness, I’ll take an obesity crisis over starvation any day. Sure we haven’t achieved perfect nutrition, but the situation is undoubtedly better.
- chiefalchemist 8y agoAh. Be careful what you wish for. Fact: More people now die as a result of too much food than not enough. Add on the related (healthcare) costs and we're over-eating our way to more problems we can't afford.
- achamayou 8y agoYes, but crucially, they choose to eat too much. They could stop. Those who starve never do so of their own will, and would absolutely take the alternative if it was available to them. As for the healthcare costs, I expect we will see something very similar to what happened with tobacco. A combination of economic disincentives and regulatory measures (no sugary drinks and snacks in schools, smaller portions etc), which will ultimately curb the problem.
- arbitrary_name 8y agoYou act as if free choice occurs in a vacuum. It does not. Billions spent on advertising, public policy designed to benefit the agriculture and food industries: let's not pretend we are all perfectly informed rational actors, that fallacy was debunked a generation ago.
- Zanni 8y agoBut they die later. No one’s dying of obesity in childhood. This is still an improvement.
- chiefalchemist 8y agoPerhaps. But that's not within the scope of the stat I referenced. Furthermore, childhood obesity __is__ on the rise. The related illnesses (e.g., type 2 diabetes) consume resources __unnecessarily__. Considering the infant mortality rate in the USA, I'd venture to say, obesity killing children. Please also factor in the dangers associated with obesity and pregnancy.