Obesity Goes Where the Money Goes

I wanted to address something I touched on last post--obesity as a condition of prosperity.  The obesity epidemic that we are witnessing today in western society is only possible in an environment of abundance.  I am not talking individual wealth here, but prosperity of nations; and American obesity statistics, and pretty much that of the rest of the world, support this claim.  Obesity is rampant in North America and Europe, with Japan and South Korea having the highest rates in the east.

But wait, what about the rising powers of China and India?  They are experiencing rapid economic growth, but have they an obesity epidemic?  According to a recent report, extreme fatness is making its way to India.  As India's economy grows, the middle class increases as well, and western fast food companies are smelling opportunity like they haven't since, well, 1950s America.

And which demographic do you suppose the fast-food industry is targeting?...You got it--youngsters.  Let's go to the Hop... Reports disclose that one in three children in private schools in New Delhi are obese compared with one in ten in government schools.


"Obesity is emerging in India which has serious implications for metabolic health in the future," says researcher Seema Gulati. "Schoolchildren are attracted to the way it (junk food) is advertised," she said. "They feel it is something that is high status. They want to try it out."

Exactly...convenience, good taste, high status, western, bourgeois, you know...you've been there America, but now look atcha: 30% obesity in most states.  That's not overweight...that's obese...and it's crazy.  And I'm certain the trend will continue in the East, as Asian countries get more powerful.

Brazil is there already, and India is on its way...China anyone?  We'll see.  A major 2010 study called "The Rise of Asia's Middle Class" by the Asian Development Bank warned that in the next 20-30 years Asia will be faced with "an increasing number of chronic diseases on a scale previously unseen".

Obesity is a natural consequence of prosperity.  As money flows, so does the drive for convenience, and nothing more convenient than ready-made food for the go.  Wealth comes from work--lots of it--and this means limited time.  We Americans know that lifestyle all too well--the burning candles, chasing sensory stimuli and seeking greater and greater conveniences--and how it can lead to greater excesses.  Ultimately these excesses cause problems, like rising chronic diseases and epidemics of addiction: food, drugs, sex, and so on.

Hey I'm not knocking any of it...just pointing out the truths of the bigger picture.  We can waste time looking for new and novel causes of obesity--heck, lots of money to be made there--but if we really wish to make a dent in the obesity numbers, then understanding how the condition arises and develops over time is a hell of a lot more useful than trying to create new fantasies about genes and hormones, especially as we see it unfolding in other cultures mirroring our own.  Let's put two and two together, find real solutions to help those that truly want them, and then maybe we might even pave the way for others to understand and resolve their own issues.  But it won't happen anytime soon if we continue to foolishly blame outside forces when the problem is completely man-made.

Kabaddi for Long Life and Health

Hot cup o' tea, hot cup o' tea...want to get in great shape, South Asian style?  Then hat kabaddi, baby.  That's right--the sporting craze in Asia is kabaddi, a team competition that originated in South Asia as a form of combat training.*  Participants say they are in the greatest shape of their lives.  What makes it so healthful?  Check it out:

The game is played with two teams occupying opposite halves of a field and taking turns sending a "raider" into the other half, in order to win points by tagging or wrestling members of the opposing team; the raider then tries to return to his own half, holding his breath and chanting "kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi" during the whole raid.  The name — often chanted during a game — derives from a Tamil word meaning "holding of hand", which is indeed the crucial aspect of play. It is the national game of Bangladesh, and the state game of Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh in India. ~ from Wikipedia

As one commentator put it, "It's like a brutal game of Red Rover."  Hot cup o' tea, hot cup o' tea...

It's more like an MMA-form of Red Rover, as player do what ever they can to prevent a player from returning to his team.  Players acting as raiders hold their breath the entire time.  So the physical benefits are:

• Endurance (from breath-holding and moving)
• Running
• Dodging
• Kicking
• Defensive skills
• And taunting (never to be underestimated)

Watch the video below to get a glimpse of kabaddi.  Hot cup o' tea, hot cup o' tea...

The Indian team coach, Balwan Singh, says kabaddi is the secret to long, healthy life.  "Look at me, I'm 50 years old and I can hold my breath for three minutes."

Kabaddi seems to be a nice physical outlet for those dedicated to the spirit, too.  Three of the 14 members of Japan's kabaddi team at the Asian Games are reportedly monks, while five others have graduated from a Zen Buddhist institute.

"Training in kabaddi makes our bodies stronger and healthier, while Buddhism meets our spiritual needs," said Japan's team leader Kokei Ito.

So if you're interested in a new form of physical fitness, one that combines combat training with endurance (and taunting), a team sport offering competition, then try kabaddi.  It will kick your butt.

*Not designed by Navy SEALs

Sound Health Policy

India's health minister has an answer to universal health care--it's called universal yoga. That's right, the top-dog in the Indian health policy wants all schoolchildren to practice real health care. He wants them doing asanas. Nice. And the rational is that yoga helps prevent conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Now that's progressive.

Anbumani Ramadoss, the current Indian health minister, said he would make yoga mandatory for all school-going children, "There should be extensive scientific deliberations on yoga," he said, "And today I blatantly put that yoga reduces diabetes, yoga reduces hypertension, yoga reduces stress." True, true, but not all parties agree. The Muslim Malaysian Council or Malaysia's National Fatwa Council, has sparked protests claiming yoga will steer people away from the religion, causing them to use Hindu prayers, which are considered blasphemous. As a result, the council has put out an edict (fatwa) against practicing yoga. The council also outlaws "gay sex" and women wearing trousers. Holy moly...how primitive.

Well, the religious controversy aside, I think this is one good policy. I'm usually against mandates, but if you're going to have one, make it yogic. The Indian government could probably do just as well by making it a part of the school curriculum. This will help in a country where diabetes rates are highest in the world--41 million cases in 2007 and counting, and estimates hitting 70 million by 2025, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

Ah, the perils of modernization. Sometimes it's good to get back to one's roots--especially when those roots are so good for the body, mind and spirit. Maybe we can take a page out of that health book here in the U.S., and add that to our promised universal health care plan. At least the addition of state supported yoga might actually make a difference.

*Want to know how to do some basic asanas (yoga postures)? Check out this great yoga site here.