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Fat? 'It’s not my fault!'

A global survey exposed some interesting – and insane – statistics about people who battle the bulge.

Think we’re teasing? Just read on.

The global Reader Digest poll revealed that Russians smoked the most in an effort to drop excess weight, and along with Germans and Indians, they are also most likely to blame genetics for their penchant for piling on the pounds.

As if!

"Our poll makes it clear that people around the world are struggling with their weight," said Peggy Northrop, a pioneer behind the survey.
 
An estimated 1.6 billion people around the world are either overweight or heavily obese and while excess weight remains a chief factor behind 2.5 million or so deaths each year, the majority reckon they ARE trying to lose weight.

More than 80 percent of Finns have tried to slim down, followed by 73 percent of the Dutch and 72 percent of Australians and Americans.

And are they seeing results?  From the comment below, we don't think so.

"In the United States people were still on the deprivation cycle and we know that doesn't work," Northop said.

So who's getting it right?

Mexico, apparently?!

Northop noted that the Mexicans had a healthy attitude about what they’re supposed to do if they wanted to lose weight.

“The majority of people there understood that eating a healthier diet was key and getting more active was key," she added.

And then for some old news...

The survey also revealed that women were more likely than men to start a diet.

In the United States alone, 85 percent of women have tried to diet at some stage of their life, while in Brazil 83 percent of people said there was too much emphasis on weight.

Gah! And so says us who hail from the land of the bikini.

'It’s not just me, he could lose a couple too.'

In addition to being unhappy with their own weight, 51 percent of wives in the US thought their husbands could benefit from dropping some weight.

It was also an issue in India where 48 percent of men and 46 percent of women admitted to being dissatisfied with their spouse's weight.

People around the globe had excuses for their bulging bulk, but the Russians topped the chart at 70 percent in blaming their problem on genes, followed by 61 percent of Germans and 50 percent of Indians.

In the Philippines lack of willpower was cited as the main culprit for the battle of the bulge, while 20 percent of Americans blamed their parents.

The poll also cited cultural tips for a gaining and maintaining a healthy weight.

Healthy weight tips:
  • In Thailand, spicy food was recommended, including hot peppers that raise metabolism and burn extra calories.
  • In Switzerland, high-fiber muesli is a favourite.
  • In Brazil, rice and beans remain a staple.
  • Exercise is also a key component to a svelte physique, with yoga a favourite activity in India, walking in Finland and cycling in the Netherlands.
Original article written by Patricia Reaney from Reuters.

Are you surprised by these stats? Share your thoughts with other readers on the global issue of obesity, and how you think we can reduce the numbers, in the box below.



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