Culture
The population of our planet is growing very fast. Many scientists say that people will soon have big problems providing themselves with fresh water and food. At the same time, people are getting fatter and fatter every year. The US is no longer talked about as the fattest nation in the world. Russia and Europe are rapidly “gaining weight”.
Indeed, obesity has become a major problem for many developed countries around the world. 7-8 years ago, it was believed that obesity was mainly a problem in the United States. However, the obesity epidemic is now affecting Europe and Russia. About 60 percent of the Russian population suffers from this problem.
A recent study by the European Commission found that British women and Maltese men are the most obese in Europe. It turns out that almost a quarter (23.9 percent) of British women have problems with being overweight. Citizens of Malta and Latvia rank second and third on the list.
According to the World Health Organization, 25-70 percent of adults in Europe are overweight and obese. More than a third of Europeans are sedentary. As mentioned above, the UK is the fattest country in Europe. Ireland and Malta continue the list. The obesity problem also affects Romania (7.9 percent), Switzerland (8.1 percent) and Italy (9.9 percent).
UN experts say that more than 1.3 billion people living on earth are overweight or obese. This is a real paradox because one in seven people in the world suffer from malnutrition. About three million people die each year due to diseases caused by obesity, which is equivalent to the death rate caused by malnutrition.
Many European governments have realized that it would be much easier to simply force people to eat healthy. Danish lawmakers have introduced a tax on the fat content of butter and vegetable oils. It is 16 Danish kroner ($2.9) per kilogram of saturated fat.
Igor Orlov, a specialist doctor from the acupuncture center, noted that similar measures taken by the Danish authorities should be implemented in Russia as well. “People should understand that fatty foods increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and cause a variety of other problems. The fewer fatty foods a person eats, the longer they will live. Restricting the consumption of such food will be very beneficial for the health of the nation,” the expert said.
French authorities taxed carbonated drinks at the end of 2011. The tax on soft fruit drinks was raised by 25 percent and on soda by 35 percent. Many media reported in October 2011 that France banned ketchup in school meals. The measure was taken to promote healthy eating. Currently, ketchup and french fries can only be served once a week. It is also planned to increase vegetable dishes on the menu.
It is interesting that the country's high level of economic development does not make people's menus healthier. Quite the opposite: food is getting fatter. In the past, being overweight spoke about a person's high financial situation. Currently, healthy eating and fitness centers are expensive, so not everyone can afford it. Most people prefer simple foods: hamburgers, convenience foods, and pasta to which they add everything they can find in their fridge.
UN experts believe that high taxes will save humanity from fat. According to them, the introduction of a 9% tax on harmful food products will help reduce their consumption by 5-9 percent. However, what will ordinary people eat then if fast food becomes food for the rich?