The modern world has unintentionally created the “perfect storm” for obesity.

I found a brilliant quote nicely summing up today’s worldwide battle with obesity. The quote is from Modifying the Environment to Reverse Obesity by James O. Hill, Holly R. Wyatt, and John C. Peters:

We have unintentionally created the “perfect storm” for obesity.
We have constructed an environment that is a perfect complement
for our biology—if the goal is to produce weight gain. Our
biology has evolved to the point that we eat when food is available
and rest when we do not have to be physically active. We
have created an environment in which food is inexpensive, readily
available, served in large portions, and heavily advertised.
This environment has eliminated the need for physical activity in
our jobs and our schools and provides us with engaging ways to
spend our leisure time being sedentary. Sedentary activities are
heavily promoted. Our food and physical activity policies support
high energy intake and low physical activity. Our cultural values
have allowed super-sizing to become popular. In essence, we have
achieved the “good life” that our ancestors were constantly seeking.
Obesity is an unintended and unanticipated consequence of
attaining the good life.

This is the super-threat because it shows how all the biggest threats are
so interrelated.

You probably won’t become overweight if you aren’t genetically predisposed
to do so, even when large amounts of food are available. If you live in
an environment where food is scarce, then you won’t be overweight either,
no matter what your genes say. And if you have to work hard all day, then it
won’t matter how much food is available or what your genes say, you probably
won’t become overweight.

Being overweight is caused by an often bewilderingly complex mix of
issues. We’ll explore the many ideas presented in this threat in separate, more
focused threats.