Is Modern Lifestyle to Blame for the Obesity Epidemic?

When it comes to the obesity epidemic, is nature to blame… or nurture? An analysis of data from nearly 8,800 adults participating in a nationwide health and retirement study revealed that participants were more likely to pack on more pounds if they were born later in the 20th century, regardless of whether they had a high genetic risk for obesity. The researchers suggest that modern conveniences may be to blame as they have allowed people to become more and more sedentary. The Obesity Society’s Dr. Anthony Comuzzie explains, “When was the last time you got out of the car and opened your own garage, or got off the couch to change the TV channel?… People have more money to spend on easily available fast food, and they are less likely to engage in physical activity. It’s a double-edged sword.” Journal of the American Medical Association, July 2016