Game, Set...and Match?

While the "S" in USA doesn't stand for "svelte," our cousins across the pond are facing an even weightier dilemna:

"The growing problem of obesity risks bringing financial ruin to the National Health Service, a study has warned...Research commissioned by the Government in 2005 has warned that half the population will be obese within 25 years if current trends continue."

Seems that the increasing costs associated with a portly population threatens to bankrupt the English health care system (not that it's exactly helping ours any). Here in the States, the problem may start with our youngsters:

"Pushing diets probably won't help. Neither will teasing about weight. Instead parents should focus on having frequent family meals, creating a positive atmosphere at mealtimes, promoting physical activity and building self-esteem, the researchers recommend."

Given the reputation of English cooking, that may not offer much hope for our British cousins, though.

And this probably won't help, either:

"CONFECTIONERY giant Cadbury is to slash the cost of three of its top-selling chocolate bars by about 40 per cent in the run-up to Christmas, in a move which health experts have warned could contribute to the UK's obesity epidemic."

Now, we've touted the amazing health benefits of chocolate more than once here at IB, so this is sort of a "good news, bad news" kind of thing. But the key seems to be moderation, which may be more difficult as prices for the tasty treat plummet.

On the other hand, maybe it's time to switch to another healthy food group.