Obesity Linked To Global Warming

[Dr. Shane]

Fatties cause global warming

THE rising number of fat people was yesterday blamed for global warming.

Scientists warned that the increase in big-eaters means more food production — a major cause of CO2 gas emissions warming the planet.

Overweight people are also more likely to drive, adding to environmental damage.

It means an extra BILLION TONNES of CO2 a year is created, according to World Health Organisation estimates of overweight people.

The scientists say providing extra grub for them to guzzle adds to carbon emissions that heat up the world, melting polar ice caps, raising sea levels and killing rain forests.

The environmental impact of fat humans is made even worse because they are more likely to travel by car — another major cause of carbon emissions.

And researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say wealthy nations like the US and Britain are getting fatter by the decade.

Dr Phil Edwards said: “Food production accounts for about one fifth of greenhouse gases.

“We need to do a lot more to reverse the global trend towards fatness. It is a key factor in the battle to reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change.

“It is time we took account of the amount we are eating.

“This is about over-consumption by the wealthy countries. And the world demand for meat is increasing to match that of Britain and America.

“It is also much easier to get in your car and pick up a pint of milk than to take a walk.”

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[Amelia]

Well lets just round up all the fatties and force them into fat camps. Wont that make it nicer for all the thin beautiful people?

[Gail]

I can't tell from the article how food production in general leads to more CO2. Are they talking meat production, as per mentioned in Diet for a New America?

[Bravus]

Couple of issues there:

1. All modern food production leads to some CO2 emissions with tractors plowing the fields, trucks carrying the produce to the markets and then to the manufacturies, manufacturing then distribution.

2. The main issue, though, is not CO2 but CH4 (methane) from the aforementioned bovine flatus. Methane is 20-30 times as effective a greenhouse gas as CO2, and is miffed that CO2 gets all the attention. If the world turned vegetarian overnight it would cut methane emissions dramatically.

SDAs win!

[True-believer]

Couple of issues there:If the world turned vegetarian overnight it would cut methane emissions dramatically.

SDAs win!

Excellent post Bravus...

But the world will never turn vegetarian overnight...

Fastfood restaurants like McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, Burger King, KFC, Pizza,

People all over the world absolutely loves the above mention fastfood places...

The obesity of fat people will increase far greater...

why???

why would you turn down a double quarter pounder from McDonalds---it could be fattening, but it sure is yummy and delicious.

People don't care about being healthy nowadays...

I work for the fastfood giant McDonalds, and I've been there now for nearly 11yrs, and I can officially say: "They will never loose business, and they will get a whole lot more busier."

Over the last year and two years we have made an extra $3000 more per month than what we use to...

But last four months ago we hit an extra $5000 more than what it is meant to be...

Fastfood is what people want, so fastfood is what they'll get.

[Dr. Shane]

I think when people eat healthy food they actually eat less. Many of the refined foods are not filling. Whole grain foods such as breads, tortillas, rice and pastas are much more filling than their refined counterparts. Foods that are high in fiber like beans, lentils, raw fruit, avocados, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, peas, baked potatoes, squash, almonds, peanuts and soy beans are all more filling than refined foods or meat.

As Bravus pointed out. The problem is twofold. One is the energy expended in growing and distributing food. The second is the methane emissions by animals being raised for food. A healthy vegetarian diet will address both issues. A person will eat less because the quality of the food will be better and no animals will need to be raised to support the diet. If one must eat meat, choose fish. It is the healthiest of all meats and does not emit methane. In fact, fish oil has been shown to decrease methane emissions in animals - many vegetarians would find that helpful.

[phkrause]

Excellent thought bravus. Instead of saying SDAs win, I would say the Bible and God win.

pk

[carolaa]

Couple of issues there:

1. All modern food production leads to some CO2 emissions with tractors plowing the fields, trucks carrying the produce to the markets and then to the manufacturies, manufacturing then distribution.

2. The main issue, though, is not CO2 but CH4 (methane) from the aforementioned bovine flatus. Methane is 20-30 times as effective a greenhouse gas as CO2, and is miffed that CO2 gets all the attention. If the world turned vegetarian overnight it would cut methane emissions dramatically.

SDAs win!

Now here I was thinking that more beans equals more flatus. What gives?

[olger]

And what about second-hand fat? Isn't that dangerous? Olger just bought a 3M PAPR respirator to filter out any second-hand fat floating around.

og

[Gerr]

Couple of issues there:

1. All modern food production leads to some CO2 emissions with tractors plowing the fields, trucks carrying the produce to the markets and then to the manufacturies, manufacturing then distribution.

2. The main issue, though, is not CO2 but CH4 (methane) from the aforementioned bovine flatus. Methane is 20-30 times as effective a greenhouse gas as CO2, and is miffed that CO2 gets all the attention. If the world turned vegetarian overnight it would cut methane emissions dramatically.

SDAs win!

Are you sure about that Bravus? In some parts of the world that may be true, but if Hindus start eating beef, CH4 emission from their countries might actually come down!

[Bravus]

Nup, because cows produce *far* more methane than humans, whatever the diet.

[carolaa]

Then we need to eat them up, so there's fewer of them around.

[Woody]

Fatties cause global warming

THE rising number of fat people was yesterday blamed for global warming.

Scientists warned that the increase in big-eaters means more food production — a major cause of CO2 gas emissions warming the planet.

Overweight people are also more likely to drive, adding to environmental damage.

It means an extra BILLION TONNES of CO2 a year is created, according to World Health Organisation estimates of overweight people.

The scientists say providing extra grub for them to guzzle adds to carbon emissions that heat up the world, melting polar ice caps, raising sea levels and killing rain forests.

The environmental impact of fat humans is made even worse because they are more likely to travel by car — another major cause of carbon emissions.

And researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say wealthy nations like the US and Britain are getting fatter by the decade.

Dr Phil Edwards said: “Food production accounts for about one fifth of greenhouse gases.

“We need to do a lot more to reverse the global trend towards fatness. It is a key factor in the battle to reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change.

“It is time we took account of the amount we are eating.

“This is about over-consumption by the wealthy countries. And the world demand for meat is increasing to match that of Britain and America.

“It is also much easier to get in your car and pick up a pint of milk than to take a walk.”

[text from link]

Yeah. Heard this report on my local news tonight.

[Outta Here]

Just an "aside" thought: I've seen plenty of overweight, life-long vegetarians.

[Woody]

Just an "aside" thought: I've seen plenty of overweight, life-long vegetarians.

Don't tell me ...

Which is less heathy ... eating meat or being overweight?

[nuff sed]

Of course no matter you slice and dice it, no matter what the facts "seem" to portray..."Everybody" knows that obesity and global warming are George Bush's fault!

[Woody]

Good Point Glad.

[phkrause]

Are we being sarcastic? Redwood and Gladussee!

pk

[Dr. Shane]

Just an "aside" thought: I've seen plenty of overweight, life-long vegetarians.

A lot of vegetarians still choose what to eat with their taste buds. Refined carbohydrates and sugar will not keep one slim and trim. Take a look at the church potlucks and one will quickly realize that Adventists are eating too much sugar and too many refined carbohydrates. Most are probably not exercising enough either.

Weight can be managed. Not everyone can shed a lot of pounds and become "skinny". However there is a difference between being obese and overweight. I believe obese is when a person is 100 lbs overweight. Is that right? For most people, eating the right foods and doing a little moderate exercise will prevent them from becoming obese. Being overweight and active is not as unhealthy as being ideal weight and inactive. Moderate exercise is just as important, in not more so, than proper diet.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Take a look at the church potlucks and one will quickly realize that Adventists are eating too much sugar and too many refined carbohydrates.

[Gerr]

Then we need to eat them up, so there's fewer of them around.

That's what I meant about the Hindus. They don't eat the cows who emit more CH4 than humans. So they could actually reduce the emission of that gas by eating the cows!

[Bravus]

But the cows are raised to be eaten. Maybe you guys are being facetious - I know Carol is. But the reality is that if people stopped eating meat farmers would stop growing it. Imagine all the land used for beef production turned to crop production... that alone would have a massive greenhouse gas impact... and, since crop production is more efficient, would also feed a lot more people.

You know, I think I'm talking myself into vegetarianism...

[Gail]

{edited by Gail}, I think I'm talking myself into vegetarianism...

Love it!!!

[olger]

gift for Bravus.

og

[phkrause]

I love it, and also olgers reply

pk