From Now On, Europe Focuses On Dieting Pills

A state of emergency has been recently put on European Union agenda. In the next ten years, European countries will be "on diet". The EU countries have to manage an alarming situation: high rate of obesity and overweight. It seems that all America's weight-loss problems along with diets and any kind of dieting pills crossed the Ocean.

European countries borrowed bad habits from Americans

Along with foods, Americans have brought the whole picture to the "Old continent": fad diets and related-weigh loss problems, dieting pills and dietary supplements. According to International Obesity Task Force, the prevalence of obesity has grown by up by 10 to 40 percent in most European countries from 1993 to 2003. It is an alarming statement. 30% of people living in the European Union are overweight and more than one in ten is now obese, according to EASO.

Not surprisingly, a war against obesity has started recently. European officials are worried specifically about childhood obesity since children with "weight problems" are three to five times more likely to suffer a heart attack or even stroke before the age of 65. Although this problem is not as urgent as the American issue, the forecasts are ruthless.

The battle against obesity

When overweight and obesity are on the agenda,

  • fast food and modern unhealthy eating habits (too many sweets and refined foods)

  • a sedentary lifestyle

are often quoted. Officials of the European Union are worried because obesity brings along related problems such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Unfortunately,70.000 cases are added each year, while heart disorders are already the leading cause of death in the European Union: half of all deaths are caused by heart disease.

Since the issue became so urgent, the EU was prompted to apply a "fight-plan" against obesity for the next ten years. Experts have decided in the recent European Congress of Obesity that the new fight-front should proceed on four major ways:

  • governments

  • NGOs

  • food industry

  • consumers themselves.

    Additionally, two pathways can be involved in this effort:

    • television

    • computer industry.

    They are to induce and educate nationwide a well-balanced eating regimen and promote physical activity and regular exercise (schools included). A direct and sharp link to the new way of eating (fast food, biscuits, high carbohydrate foods, fatty products) hasn't been established precisely. It is argued though that giving up old healthy habits proved a significant overweight factor. Thus, obesity has been declared "public enemy number one" in the European Union.

    Portugal case study

    Anorectic teenagers and obese middle-aged people - this is happening nowadays only in Portugal. It is a strange situation, the least to say. Nearly two-fifths of all Portuguese of 18 to 65 are overweight and no less than 15 percent are already obese while over 8% of all 18 and 19 year olds are extremely thin (twice than in the same age group in 1995). These facts were released in September 2004, after a study had been carried out and cited by Agency France-Presse.

    What do these two statistics disclose?

  • on one hand, the health of people of 18 to 65 (active Portugaese) is highly threatened by heart disease, stroke and diabetes

  • on the other hand, many teens of Portugal suffer from eating disorders (it is argued that they have a repulsive reaction to obesity and they are obsessed with their look).

    As the Portuguese have changed their eating habits lately, adding more sweets and fatty foods into their meals, the obesity range highly increased. A review of their eating habits reveals that many people go to work with no breakfast. Around ten o'clock in the morning there is the "coffee break", which is usually taken with a lot of sweet cakes, rolls, croissants. Lunch is regularly around one o'clock and means meat (codfish, veal, pork, chicken, rabbit) and potatoes (raw vegetables are rarely eaten). Another coffee break is around five o'clock. Dinner is at eight and consists of meat primarily. The Portuguese eat soup often but after a meal, not before. The famous caldo verde soup is preferred, in spite of the fact that it contains a potentially lethal piece of cholesterol rich sausage.

    Besides, Portugal is invaded by fast food, especially hamburger outlets like McDonalds. Not only large cities, but also small towns have a McDonalds. Not to mention the other fast-food outlets, which make things worse for the Portuguese.

    About The Author

    Dana Scripca writes for http://www.dietpillscentral.com where you can find more information about Diet Pills.

    danascri@gmail.com

    In The News:
    Powered by Feedzilla


    • Itsula - Travel Reviews, Social Network, Find Friends, and more...

    Bidcorral Online Auctions

    Weight Loss for Good ? If Only You Had Known?

    Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or from a letter in the mail, it's hard to face the truth at times. Hear-ing it can really cut to... Read More

    Ten Important Things to Know Before You Join a Weight Loss Program

    1. What is my BMI and how do I calculate it? BMI means Body Mass Index. The value is associated with body fat and health risks. Healthy weight... Read More

    3 Simple Weight Loss Tips from the Pros

    Tip 1) DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AFTER EACH SNACKThis will help you get in your 8 to 10 glasses of water each day but it can also have other... Read More

    5 Easy Steps to Help You Lose Weight

    When losing weight, most of us don't have the time to drastically change our lifestyles. We need a practical and convenient way to integrate effective habits into our daily lives.... Read More

    Court Overturns Ban

    In December 2003, the FDA incorporated an ephedra ban making it illegal to sell any products containing ephedra. The ephedra ban was put in place after investigation of several allegations... Read More

    Low-carb Diets: Fad, Fallacy, or Fact?

    The most common and popular diet fad over the past two years has undoubtedly been the low-carb diet. It has many followers, both in the U.K. and the U.S.A., and... Read More

    Rating the Fad Diets

    THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how are we to know what works and what is safe? The only way to be sure is to discover the... Read More

    The Folly of Diet Recipes

    Have you ever wondered why diet books always seem to have a section of recipes?Apart from the desire to make the book look larger and therefore more worthwhile, why should... Read More

    The Most Under-Rated Aspect of Weightloss

    If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing many people find to do when they start a weight-loss program?", I would have to say right near the top... Read More

    Holiday Eating: Party Hearty Without Putting on the Pounds!

    The holidays are definitely a special time of year. These days, however, many women wonder whether "special" means happy -- or stressful. Do you know anyone who doesn't feel more... Read More

    Push a Button to Lose Weight

    Trash Your TV! is pleased to announce the easiest weight loss program in the world. It is as easy as pushing a button-the "Power" button on your TV. Turn the... Read More

    Weight Loss Psychology- Sticking to an Exercise Program!

    IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking their brains trying to figure out why they have such a hard time keeping members coming back. Most owners would... Read More

    Saboteurs to Your Weight Loss Plans

    Saboteurs are people and thoughts that are going to sabotage you when you are at all weak in your bid to better yourself. I can identify many internal and external... Read More

    The Rumbly-Grumbly Tummy After Gastric Bypass

    If you've been enjoying life after gastric bypass surgery you will know exactly what I'm talking about. That rumbly-tumbly stomach growl that's more bark than bite. It's the inactive tummy... Read More

    The TRUTH About How to Lose Weight

    The huge companies stealing your money by promising impossible results if you just drink their shake, take their pill, or do 10 minutes of exercise on their wiz-bang machines are... Read More

    Diet Tactics You Must Know To Lose Fat?

    This article is about making long-term changes in the foods you choose and eat, WITHOUT sacrificing good taste.Let's take a look at protein. Did you know the large majority of... Read More

    Fat, Fat Go Away

    I am Dr Patrick Flanagan, and this is the latest edition of my Dr Health Secrets newsletter.Lately I have written about toxins in our water and food supply. This installment... Read More

    The Perfect Diet Combined with a Healthy Weight Management

    The perfect diet should be combined with a healthy weight management or activity program.Weight management may conjure up that dreaded "exercise" word. And exercise to some means pushing the body... Read More

    Lose Body Fat by Choosing the Right Diet Plan For You

    If you are overweight and searching for the diet program or weight loss product that will be the best suit your individual needs and help you lose the weight as... Read More

    A New Option for Weight Loss Surgery

    These days, Jennifer Secrist has little interest in idle activities. The 23-year-old loves to rock climb, hike, ride her mountain bike, and do almost anything that gets her outside and... Read More