UK and US 'keenest on fast food'

[Guest guest]

Many blamed the food available for rising levels of obesity

The UK is the country most attached to fast food, closely followed by

the United States, a survey has suggested.

A poll of 9,000 people in 13 nations, alongside a BBC investigation

into global obesity, found vast variations in attitudes towards food

and weight.

 

Many French get on the scales every day the poll found, while

Singaporeans are the least likely to weigh themselves.

 

People are now said to be getting fatter in most of the world, with

the exception of parts of Asia.

 

The three-day BBC series will look at the problems arising from the

trend and what can be done about it.

 

This study, by market research firm Synovate, questioned 9,000 people

in 13 countries across five continents.

 

OBESITY: WHAT'S TO BLAME?

Food - 40%

Lack of exercise - 18%

Individual - 13%

Genetics - 11%

 

Few people blamed their government for rising levels of obesity: the

largest number of respondents blamed the food that was now available.

 

People in the UK and the US were the most likely to nominate " no self

discipline " as the leading factor in obesity.

 

These two nations also had the most respondents who said they would

be unable to give up fast food.

 

Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement " I like the taste of

fast food too much to give it up " , while 44% of Americans said they

would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings.

 

Middle east diets

 

The survey also threw up some other interesting geographical

variations.

 

The results show there's a world of people who cannot deny

themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make

themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola

 

Steve Garton

Synovate

 

Saudi Arabians and those from the United Arab Emirates were among the

top consumers of low-fat food products, meal replacements and food

supplements.

 

They were also the most interested in weight-loss courses, gym

memberships and home exercise equipment.

 

" People are inherently contradictory and nowhere is it more obvious

than on such a sensitive and important issue such as their weight, "

said Steve Garton of Synovate.

 

" The results show there's a world of people who cannot deny

themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make

themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola. "

 

A recent study of men and women in 63 countries found between half

and two-thirds of men were overweight or obese in 2006.

 

The populations of Canada and South Africa currently lead the way,

with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29 - a calculation that

takes into account both height and weight.

 

There is still some debate about the exact health risk posed by

rising levels of obesity, but those who are overweight do have a

higher risk of heart disease, Type II diabetes and other diseases

including some cancers.