Skyrocketing Obesity Rates

The following is the reproduction of a CTV (Canadian TV) news article that appeared online on July 6th, 2005... let's look at the issues raised in this article a little more... just to see how this may all fit into not only higher rates of obesity, but the very likely possibility that problems with insulin (diabetes) come first... and that the obesity then follows... as was discussed in the above paper... and apparently also documented by the Joslin center for diabetes research (tied to Harvard)...

Here's the article... I've highlighted in red a few critical pieces of information...

Adults, more than children, growing more obese

CTV.ca News Staff, July 6, 2005

Canada's obesity problem continues to worsen, say the results of a 25-year study. And it's adults more than children, who are responsible for most of the problem.

Statistics Canada says that back in 1978-79, three per cent of children were obese. That figure that rose to eight per cent by 2004.

But among adults, the obesity rate rose to 23 per cent from 14 per cent during the same time period, the agency's Canadian Community Health Survey found.

That means about 5.5 million adult Canadians are battling the bulge.

The most striking rise in overweight and obesity was among this country's senior citizens, who seem to be having particular trouble with the scales. Their obesity rate rose from 11 per cent to 24 per cent in the last 25 years.

Across the country, the highest overweight and obesity rates were in the Atlantic provinces. The obesity rate was significantly higher than the national average in New Brunswick and in Newfoundland and Labrador. The lowest rates were in Quebec and Alberta.

Marital status, education and income also influenced weight problems.

"Men living in higher income households tended to have higher chances of being obese,'' the agency said. "Women coming from middle-income households had higher levels of obesity.''

Even though the numbers are disturbing, Canada's adult obesity rate was significantly lower than that in the United States where 30 per cent of adults were obese in 2004.

As might be expected, Statistics Canada says the likelihood of being obese was related to diet and exercise.

"Adult men and women who ate fruit and vegetables less than three times a day were more likely to be obese than were those who consumed such foods five or more times a day,'' the agency says.

And those who spent leisure time in sedentary pursuits were more likely to be obese than those who were physically active.

"For example, 27 per cent of sedentary men were obese, compared with 20 per cent of active men.

"Among women, obesity rates were high not only for those who were sedentary, but also for those who were moderately active.''

Overweight and obesity rates were determined using the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared.

For adults, a BMI of 25 or more indicates overweight; 30 or more indicates obesity and a high to extremely high risk of developing health problems.

[end of article, emphasis added, Adults, more than children, growing more obese, CTV, July 6, 2005]

Now, let's look at what this is telling us... and how this may all fit into the autism puzzle (which includes insulin issues and a whole lot more as noted in the paper on Redefining The Role of Insulin - a must read for anyone with an interest in matters of obesity, diabetes, autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Down Syndrome and many other disorders that all fit into this very nasty "autism puzzle").

Well... let's look at a few critical pieces of information... there is no doubt that obesity is on the rise in all age groups... but note the areas in Canada where obesity is highest... the Maritime provinces... the "fish eating" provinces... where fishing plays a huge role in not only employment, but certainly, would be a significant part of one's diet also. And, it is well known that fish is polluted with toxins such as mercury!

Quebec... how odd... the province that is so tied to "maple sugar" and where one would expect to see a lot of obesity due to that high intake of sugar... has one of the lowest rates of obesity. Note, however, "glucose" is a sugar... and sugars (i.e., glyconutrients) are known to help heal the body. Yet, we always see studies tying "diet" and obesity to "sugar intake" or "empty calories". But, as I stated before in the above referenced paper... I think we've been led to think obesity causes diabetes... and it very much appears the opposite may be true... that diabetes is causing obesity... and that diabetes is but a first sign of metal toxicity. Note that it takes very sensitive instruments to measure hormones (such as insulin) and so, a person can be "insulin resistant" or "diabetic" long before the actual diagnosis of "diabetes" is given! So... again... which really came first... the obesity... or maybe... the insulin resistance due to metal toxicity!

Note something else that is very interesting... the elderly are among the worse populations for obesity increases. Well... "slowing down" is a normal part of aging... but, keep in mind... the elderly are also those who are most likely to be getting all those "flu shots", etc. ... and that would certainly, in my opinion, play into the "obesity equation" as mercury trips up insulin levels in the body!

As far as marital status, income, etc.... no figures are given to show "the differences" and so, I don't think we can really discuss that one too much here. I'd like to see more data than what is provided. I will say one thing on this issue, however... it is that the article appears to contradict itself somewhat. The Maritimes - where obesity rates are significantly higher - are known to be Canada's poorest provinces... unemployment is very high there. Yet, the article states that obesity is highest in the Maritimes but that men in higher income and women in "middle income" brackets appear to be the most obese. Again... something just doesn't seem "quite right" there! You can't have it both ways!

We all know diet and exercise plays a role in obesity and diabetes... but, could that be more because of the role of B6, insulin and metal toxicity in all this? There is no doubt that obesity and diabetes are related... but which really came first? Also... it is now well known that having diabetes greatly enhances a person's chances of having Alzheimer's later in life... what now very much appears to be "autism in the elderly". For more on that... including the very common ties in terms of the history of these disorders, again, read the paper on Redefining The Role Of Insulin - a must read.

And, what about the very odd comment on "active men"... how is it that 20% of "active men" and women who are "moderately active" are still obese? How very interesting, especially given the CDC report on obesity in the US showing that being slightly overweight was actually considered "protective"! Can we really say that obesity is so tied to exercise if 20% of active men are considered obese? Seems there is much more at play here... like perhaps the need for the body to manufacture fat in order to store toxins such as mercury, aluminum and iron. Again, I suspect there are answers to that one in the paper on Redefining The Role Of Insulin - a must read.

There is something else, not mentioned in this article... just a personal observation... that I personally also find very troubling... but very revealing. When I go shopping with my children, I can't help but notice how many infants and toddlers, and young children, appear to be "so big" and overweight. As I look at these kids, I can't help but think... we have very sick children... Never before were children exposed to so many toxins such as mercury (vaccines, dental amalgams from mothers), aluminum (vaccines, diet, leaches from food packaging) and iron (prenatal vitamins, baby formulas, diets, etc.). Toxins are known to accumulate in fat. Diabetes rates among young children are also skyrocketing. The thing that seems really odd to me when I go shopping though is that these young children appear to be just as active as ever in spite of their obesity. They are still busy running in every direction and their mothers are still trying to keep up. So... is it truly the "less active" issue or maybe are we seeing obesity in young children more as a result of metal toxicity. How is it that there are so many obese children who play in organized sports... sports that are often very demanding physically... and that take place 3-4 times a week? When my daughter was on a swim team, in the pool 3-4 times a week for a solid hour, I couldn't help but notice how many of the kids on the swim team were so obese? I would sit there and think to myself... something just isn't right here! I think we have some very serious questions and we need to look well beyond just "diet and exercise"... because science has indeed shown that insulin resistance can come first... THEN the obesity!

I strongly suspect that obesity is tied more to metal toxicity and the body's need to store toxins such as mercury, aluminum and iron in fat than it is to some of these other factors. Again... for a whole lot more on these issues... read the paper on Redefining The Role Of Insulin - a must read!