Disease Proof

Here’s a great way to blame-shift. Obesity isn’t our fault—no way! Our “modern life” is to blame. Get a load of this Reuters report:

Weight gain does not result from people’s actions — such as overindulgence or laziness —alone, and is a far more passive phenomenon than is often assumed, according to Foresight.


It found that the technological revolution of the 20th century has led to weight gain becoming unavoidable for the majority of the population, because our bodies and biological makeup are out of step with our surroundings.

“Stocking up on food was key to survival in prehistoric times, but now with energy dense, cheap foods, labor-saving devices, motorized transport and sedentary work, obesity is rapidly becoming a consequence of modern life,” said Sir David King, the British government’s chief scientific adviser and head of the Foresight program.

The British Department of Health-sponsored project is the result of a two-year-long study into the causes of obesity involving almost 250 experts and scientists.

Phew! For a second I thought they were talking about Rocko’s Modern Life.