Americans are sicker than British

[Guest guest]

This is a very interesting article. It says that the British have almost half

the cancer and diabetes and other disease rates compared to Americans, who are

middle aged. The British also spend about half as much money in adjusted terms

on health care compared to the Americans. The article goes on the hypothesize

that one of the reasons the British have lower rates is because the American

have less financial stability (keeping up with the Jones and no national health

care system, etc.) I think they missed the whole point. Just look down almost

any major street in the US and you will see a myriad of fast food places. Go to

any grocery and look at the labels. I have never been to the UK but does anyone

have any better reasons? I especially want to hear from the UK people.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/05/02/sick.america.ap/index.html

 

GB

 

 

Gurubandhu

 

If you cannot see God in all,

You cannot see God at all.

 

Yogi Bhajan

 

 

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+

countries) for 2¢/min or less.

 

 

[Guest guest]

That is indeed an interesting article, GB. As a Brit I find it

interesting that the comparison was with England rather than Britain

as a whole, as here in Scotland we are always being told that we are

amongst the unhealthiest in Europe (perhaps that is to encourage us

to buck up and do a bit better). I do tend to believe that diet will

play a large part in the disparity. In Britain we jumped onto the

fast food bandwagon considerably later than in the States. As all

the people being used in the study were over 55, they have had the

benefit of having been reasonably nourished for a good part of their

lives. It would be interesting to see what the comparison rates

would be like 20 or 30 years from now, or to see a comparison

between younger people. There are children growing up in Britain now

who have never had a home-cooked meal and who live on MacDonalds and

Pizza Hut and other takeaways. The health problems and rates of

obesity amongst our young people is something that is constantly in

the news here.

Christie

 

, Guru Khalsa <greatyoga

wrote:

>

> This is a very interesting article. It says that the British have

almost half the cancer and diabetes and other disease rates compared

to Americans, who are middle aged. The British also spend about

half as much money in adjusted terms on health care compared to the

Americans. The article goes on the hypothesize that one of the

reasons the British have lower rates is because the American have

less financial stability (keeping up with the Jones and no national

health care system, etc.) I think they missed the whole point.

Just look down almost any major street in the US and you will see a

myriad of fast food places. Go to any grocery and look at the

labels. I have never been to the UK but does anyone have any better

reasons? I especially want to hear from the UK people.

>

> http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/05/02/sick.america.ap/index.html

>

> GB

>

>

> Gurubandhu

>

> If you cannot see God in all,

> You cannot see God at all.

>

> Yogi Bhajan

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

I can't say I have the answers here on this topic but I came to this country

aged 16 from Brunei in the Far East.

IMHO, I think the education in UK has played most part of why people are

living longer.

Being part of Europe has helped, since most of the food education influence

comes from Europe.

Recently, there have been many changes in school meals and junk food

outrage.

Most schools I know have cooked fresh food daily, kicked started by our

young Celebrity Chef, Jamie Oliver.

 

I work in a large hospital and there have also been recent changes to the

food preparation areas.

This again was a direct result of food education which originated directly

from our European neighbours, France, Italy, Spain, etc.

 

We had our fair share of problems but from this morning news, they are now

history.

More and more people are looking to grow Organic Food.

Those that can't grow organic food buys them from the local Supermarket.

The increase in sales of Organic Food have soared drastically over the years

and it continues to increase as we speak.

 

The Government have a big problem with Pensions since people are living

longer.

It will never be sorted completely but remains an on-going problem to us

here :-(

 

This is just my 2cents...as much as my knowledge goes, loll :-)))

 

 

 

Best Wishes,

Wee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of Guru Khalsa

Wednesday, May 03, 2006 7:32 AM

 

Americans are sicker than British

 

 

This is a very interesting article. It says that the British have almost

half the cancer and diabetes and other disease rates compared to Americans,

who are middle aged. The British also spend about half as much money in

adjusted terms on health care compared to the Americans. The article goes

on the hypothesize that one of the reasons the British have lower rates is

because the American have less financial stability (keeping up with the

Jones and no national health care system, etc.) I think they missed the

whole point. Just look down almost any major street in the US and you will

see a myriad of fast food places. Go to any grocery and look at the labels.

I have never been to the UK but does anyone have any better reasons? I

especially want to hear from the UK people.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/05/02/sick.america.ap/index.html

 

GB

 

 

Gurubandhu

 

If you cannot see God in all,

You cannot see God at all.

 

Yogi Bhajan

 

 

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+

countries) for 2¢/min or less.

 

 

[Guest guest]

As an American who recently worked and resided in England for many

years, I would suggest that lack of paid vacation time in the US is a

huge component to this phenomena. While the average American gets

only 13 paid vacation days per year (many starting at only five or

ten), the average British citizen typically starts with at least 20

paid vacation days per year and averages 28 paid vacation days per

year. (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922052.html) My (British) ex-

father-in-law received eight weeks of paid vacation per year, which

was not unheard of for his generation.

 

Americans are often forced to work when they are ill (and, therefore,

never have time to properly recover and rejuvenate from their

illnesses) and rarely have sufficient leisure time to spend with

their families – if I recall correctly, many studies agree that

leisure time is a key component to one's overall happiness and

health. It seems the average American is unaware of how little time

we are allowed to spend relaxing with friends and family compared to

the rest of the western world. The CNN article closes with a quote

saying that we need to figure out " why " people get ill and I would

suggest lack of vacation time plays a large role.

[Guest guest]

This is very true. Most workers here in Britain would get around 10

days paid public holidays plus between 4 and 6 weeks paid holidays

per year. We also get paid sick leave, which varies from one job to

another but at least you know that you won't starve. I tend to

forget that as I am self-employed so none of that applies to me.

Christie

 

, " ANStack " <anstack

wrote:

>

> As an American who recently worked and resided in England for many

> years, I would suggest that lack of paid vacation time in the US

is a

> huge component to this phenomena. While the average American gets

> only 13 paid vacation days per year (many starting at only five or

> ten), the average British citizen typically starts with at least

20

> paid vacation days per year and averages 28 paid vacation days per

> year. (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922052.html) My (British)

ex-

> father-in-law received eight weeks of paid vacation per year,

which

> was not unheard of for his generation.

>

> Americans are often forced to work when they are ill (and,

therefore,

> never have time to properly recover and rejuvenate from their

> illnesses) and rarely have sufficient leisure time to spend with

> their families – if I recall correctly, many studies agree that

> leisure time is a key component to one's overall happiness and

> health. It seems the average American is unaware of how little

time

> we are allowed to spend relaxing with friends and family compared

to

> the rest of the western world. The CNN article closes with a

quote

> saying that we need to figure out " why " people get ill and I would

> suggest lack of vacation time plays a large role.

>

[Guest guest]

I think it is true that more people are buying organic food here,

Wee, but it tends to be more amongst those members of the middle

classes who are able to afford to buy it. I work mainly in areas of

social deprivation and have had clients who were unable to cook

anything more adventurous than oven chips and frozen chicken

dippers. I live in a moderately affluent area and always check out

other people's trolleys at the supermarket - so many of them are

filled to the top with frozen dinners and chiller cabinet ready

meals and not a fresh vegetable in sight. I hope that you are right,

Wee, and that things are improving but there are 20 or so years of

increasingly poor eating habits to make up for.

Christie

 

, " Wee K Chew "

<techiewee wrote:

>

> Hi,

>

> I can't say I have the answers here on this topic but I came to

this country

> aged 16 from Brunei in the Far East.

> IMHO, I think the education in UK has played most part of why

people are

> living longer.

> Being part of Europe has helped, since most of the food education

influence

> comes from Europe.

> Recently, there have been many changes in school meals and junk

food

> outrage.

> Most schools I know have cooked fresh food daily, kicked started

by our

> young Celebrity Chef, Jamie Oliver.

>

> I work in a large hospital and there have also been recent changes

to the

> food preparation areas.

> This again was a direct result of food education which originated

directly

> from our European neighbours, France, Italy, Spain, etc.

>

> We had our fair share of problems but from this morning news, they

are now

> history.

> More and more people are looking to grow Organic Food.

> Those that can't grow organic food buys them from the local

Supermarket.

> The increase in sales of Organic Food have soared drastically over

the years

> and it continues to increase as we speak.

>

> The Government have a big problem with Pensions since people are

living

> longer.

> It will never be sorted completely but remains an on-going problem

to us

> here :-(

>

> This is just my 2cents...as much as my knowledge goes, loll :-)))

>

> Best Wishes,

> Wee

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wee,

 

You could very well be right. I have never been to Europe. I can think of 3

of the top chefs in the US that are into fresh and organic and cutting edge

foods. Alice Waters pretty much started the fresh food and organic food trend

in the US and possibily in Europe also. Charlie Trotter wrote a book on raw

food " cooking " with Roxanne Klein. Rick Bayless also from Chicago is cutting

edge Mexican and fusion cooking. So far they have not pulled in the masses.

The US started the worldwide conservation movement in probably the late 1800's

with Teddy Roosevelt and he also started the first national park in the world.

The US started the environmental movement with the publication of " Silent

Spring " by Rachel Carson in 1962. Earth Day was started by William Proxmire, a

US Senator in 1970. Since then Europe has outleaped us by far in the

environment and healthy eating. I think a lot of it has to do with economics.

People here always watch their pocketbooks. Organic

and healthy food is usually more expensive (on the surface). Later on it will

catch up in hospital bills. We don't look that far ahead. Also, in our harried

lives, people just want a quick " fix " and head to the nearest crack - make that

fast food - joint.

 

GB

 

 

 

 

 

Gurubandhu

 

If you cannot see God in all,

You cannot see God at all.

 

Yogi Bhajan

 

 

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates

starting at 1 & cent;/min.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

I am honoured but I can still be wrong in my humble opinion, lol :-)

This minute, I have little evidence to back my opinions.

 

On your last point, it is just as quick to make good food to eat.

By the time one gets to the *fast food shop*, probably be sitting down and

eating already, hehe, lol :-)

Judging from the *quick fix recipes* I saw posted here, it does not take

that long to cook good food.

 

My sister in Switzerland told me to serve smaller portions of *expensive

organic food*.

But increase the portions for the *cheaper organic food*.

Hey, this I find is a good compromise and making good economic sense :-)

Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive if some thought process is

invested.

After all, you are what you eat, ha, lol :-)

 

They are 4 of us in the family and all of us are extremely fit.

I don't even exercise although I am blessed with a job that requires a lot

of dexterity.

Clearly, this is evident and a good testimonial that eating healthy make

sense and doesn't have to be expensive.

 

Keep the recipes coming.

I enjoy reading all the banter and the great recipes that are posted here

:-)))

The information posted here are simply *incredible*.

 

PS.

I don't appear to see my own posts and I don't know why :-(

I can see all the replies though :-(

 

 

 

Best Wishes,

Wee

 

 

 

On Behalf Of Guru Khalsa

Thursday, May 04, 2006 3:11 AM

 

RE: Americans are sicker than British

 

 

Wee,

 

You could very well be right. I have never been to Europe. I can think

of 3 of the top chefs in the US that are into fresh and organic and cutting

edge foods. Alice Waters pretty much started the fresh food and organic

food trend in the US and possibily in Europe also. Charlie Trotter wrote a

book on raw food " cooking " with Roxanne Klein. Rick Bayless also from

Chicago is cutting edge Mexican and fusion cooking. So far they have not

pulled in the masses. The US started the worldwide conservation movement in

probably the late 1800's with Teddy Roosevelt and he also started the first

national park in the world. The US started the environmental movement with

the publication of " Silent Spring " by Rachel Carson in 1962. Earth Day was

started by William Proxmire, a US Senator in 1970. Since then Europe has

outleaped us by far in the environment and healthy eating. I think a lot of

it has to do with economics. People here always watch their pocketbooks.

Organic and healthy food is usually more expensive (on the surface). Later

on it will catch up in hospital bills. We don't look that far ahead. Also,

in our harried lives, people just want a quick " fix " and head to the nearest

crack - make that fast food - joint.

 

GB

 

 

 

 

 

Gurubandhu

 

If you cannot see God in all,

You cannot see God at all.

 

Yogi Bhajan

 

 

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates

starting at 1 & cent;/min.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Wee,

 

I agree that it is just as easy to make good food as to go to the fast food

places. Tell that to Americans. That takes work. They'd rather sit on their

big behinds and watch someone dish out the hamburgers and Freedom Fries.

 

Maybe you are right. Maybe we just need Jamie Oliver. If he will not come

willingly, we should stage a preemptive attack on the UK to get him here. We'll

let Dick Cheney lead. If you haven't heard he's pretty deadly with a shotgun.

;>)

 

GB

 

RE: Americans are sicker than British

 

Hi,

 

I am honoured but I can still be wrong in my humble opinion, lol :-)

This minute, I have little evidence to back my opinions.

 

On your last point, it is just as quick to make good food to eat.

By the time one gets to the *fast food shop*, probably be sitting down

and

eating already, hehe, lol :-)

Judging from the *quick fix recipes* I saw posted here, it does not

take

that long to cook good food.

 

My sister in Switzerland told me to serve smaller portions of

*expensive

organic food*.

But increase the portions for the *cheaper organic food*.

Hey, this I find is a good compromise and making good economic sense

:-)

Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive if some thought process is

invested.

After all, you are what you eat, ha, lol :-)

 

They are 4 of us in the family and all of us are extremely fit.

I don't even exercise although I am blessed with a job that requires a

lot

of dexterity.

Clearly, this is evident and a good testimonial that eating healthy

make

sense and doesn't have to be expensive.

 

Keep the recipes coming.

I enjoy reading all the banter and the great recipes that are posted

here

:-)))

The information posted here are simply *incredible*.

 

PS.

I don't appear to see my own posts and I don't know why :-(

I can see all the replies though :-(

 

 

 

 

 

Gurubandhu

 

If you cannot see God in all,

You cannot see God at all.

 

Yogi Bhajan

 

 

Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on FareChase

 

 

[Guest guest]

I was trying to help a newly married couple 10 years

ago with meals. THey both ended up with high

cholesterol and blood sugar from their bad eating

habits. The wife wanted to make a big change. Well,

it ended up useless for me since they spent $200 more

a month at the market and no change in their health

compared to fast food meals. They didn't like veggies

and ate nothing but expensive frozen meals, pounds of

cheese and all the rich things to substitute the lazy

lifestyle at fast food joints.

Now it's 10 years later, they are still eating the

same, he had a heart attack at age 38 and she's now

diabetic and loves her Lipetor (sp?) cholesterol pill,

she said you can eat all the junk you want and it's a

magic creation to keep the cholesterol down some.

Very sad.

Donna

 

--- Guru Khalsa <greatyoga wrote:

 

> Wee,

>

> I agree that it is just as easy to make good food

> as to go to the fast food places. Tell that to

> Americans. That takes work. They'd rather sit on

> their big behinds and watch someone dish out the

> hamburgers and Freedom Fries.

>

> Maybe you are right. Maybe we just need Jamie

> Oliver. If he will not come willingly, we should

> stage a preemptive attack on the UK to get him here.

> We'll let Dick Cheney lead. If you haven't heard

> he's pretty deadly with a shotgun. ;>)

>

> GB

>

> RE: Americans are sicker than British

>

> Hi,

>

> I am honoured but I can still be wrong in my humble

> opinion, lol :-)

> This minute, I have little evidence to back my

> opinions.

>

> On your last point, it is just as quick to make good

> food to eat.

> By the time one gets to the *fast food shop*,

> probably be sitting down

> and

> eating already, hehe, lol :-)

> Judging from the *quick fix recipes* I saw posted

> here, it does not

> take

> that long to cook good food.

>

> My sister in Switzerland told me to serve smaller

> portions of

> *expensive

> organic food*.

> But increase the portions for the *cheaper organic

> food*.

> Hey, this I find is a good compromise and making

> good economic sense

> :-)

> Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive if some

> thought process is

> invested.

> After all, you are what you eat, ha, lol :-)

>

> They are 4 of us in the family and all of us are

> extremely fit.

> I don't even exercise although I am blessed with a

> job that requires a

> lot

> of dexterity.

> Clearly, this is evident and a good testimonial that

> eating healthy

> make

> sense and doesn't have to be expensive.

>

> Keep the recipes coming.

> I enjoy reading all the banter and the great recipes

> that are posted

> here

> :-)))

> The information posted here are simply *incredible*.

>

> PS.

> I don't appear to see my own posts and I don't know

> why :-(

> I can see all the replies though :-(

>

>

>

>

>

> Gurubandhu

>

> If you cannot see God in all,

> You cannot see God at all.

>

> Yogi Bhajan

>

>

> Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one

> click on FareChase

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

 

 

 

Well I’m not the world’s most physical guy

But when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine

Oh my Lola lo-lo-lo-lo Lola

Well I’m not dumb but I can’t understand

Why she walked like a woman and talked like a man

Oh my Lola lo-lo-lo-lo Lola lo-lo-lo-lo Lola

Well we drank champagne and danced all night.

Source: Lola by the Kinks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Donna,

 

This reminds me of a " business saying " :-)

 

" You can help some of the people some of the time.

But you can't help all of the people all of the time " .

 

The people you have help may(or may not) help another person(s).

This may (or may not) start a chain action.

Nonetheless, " Knowledge is never knowledge until it's shared with someone

who needs it "

 

I hope many " fast food cravers " are bless with our knowledge and be

successful.

Please do not think you failed " on just this one attempt " to help this

couple.

 

You have helped so many people here, me included <smile>

Mega Kudos to you for running such an excellent group :-)))

 

 

 

Best Wishes,

Wee

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of Donnalilacflower

Saturday, May 06, 2006 4:11 PM

 

Re: RE: Americans are sicker than British

 

 

I was trying to help a newly married couple 10 years

ago with meals. THey both ended up with high

cholesterol and blood sugar from their bad eating

habits. The wife wanted to make a big change. Well,

it ended up useless for me since they spent $200 more

a month at the market and no change in their health

compared to fast food meals. They didn't like veggies

and ate nothing but expensive frozen meals, pounds of

cheese and all the rich things to substitute the lazy

lifestyle at fast food joints.

Now it's 10 years later, they are still eating the

same, he had a heart attack at age 38 and she's now

diabetic and loves her Lipetor (sp?) cholesterol pill,

she said you can eat all the junk you want and it's a

magic creation to keep the cholesterol down some.

Very sad.

Donna

[Guest guest]

People make choices about what they eat & where they eat.

 

In every medium to large city there are excellent delicatessens that have

healthy food. In my city of 30,000 there are two very healthy deli's. The

food is healthy with plenty of vegetarian entrees and low fat food offerrings to

choose from. For example, for a deli sandwich, I can choose grilled or baked

tofu, grilled freshed vegetables, hummus, and 6 to 10 different cheeses, not

mention the usual deli sandwich offerrings. There is always freshly made hot

soup. It is just as fast as a fast food place, but it is a little more

expensive.

 

Still people go to MacDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Denny's, etc. They send

out for poor quality pizza, they take home poor quality frozen food from

Safeway, CostCo, WalMart, etc. I can go on & on.

 

I think that people are addicted to fast food--the fat, the poor quality meats

containing additives like antibiotics & growth hormones, artificial flavorings,

etc. Until they deal with these issues, they are going to have problems.

 

The rest of us, the minority, just need to hang in there, spend a little more

on food, get enough exercise, and realize that our health insurance is going to

cost a little more because of the eating & exercise behaviors of our fellow

Americans, and boycott these institutions the spew out these poor quality foods.

 

I have an additional reason for not darkening the doors of the fast food

establishments--the way they pay their employees. They do not pay a living wage

so they, as a business, are subsidized by your local welfare department [and you

the taxpayer]. They provide no health insurance and mostly pay minimum wage, or

very slightly above. People who work there become eligible for Medicaid and

other forms of public assistance. I know, I work at a local welfare department

and employees of fast food establishments are among our best customers.

 

Kathleen

Eureka CA

 

 

 

 

I agree that it is just as easy to make good food as to go to the fast food

places. Tell that to Americans. That takes work. They'd rather sit on their

big behinds and watch someone dish out the hamburgers and Freedom Fries.

 

 

 

Kathleen M. Pelley

Knitters are Real Purls

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

VERY sad. Sheesh.

 

Donnalilacflower <thelilacflower wrote:

 

she said you can eat all the junk you want and it's a

magic creation to keep the cholesterol down some.

Very sad.

Donna

 

 

 

 

Beth

“The right adult at the right time can make an enormous difference. Many kids

have a history of difficult, disappointing relationships and one good

relationship--one person who is there for them--can make a huge difference.”

-Jean E. Rhodes Professor, Psychology at the University of Massachusetts in

Boston.

 

 

 

 

 

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.