- Recently several studies have been published presenting data in support of
the notion of “social contagion” (cf.Shoham et al., 2012). - The slide show can be seen on this Wikipedia page:http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Epidemiology_of_obesity;accessed on January 9, 2013. - In his editorial regarding the publication of theGlobalBurden of Disease
2010 inThe Lancet, Horton (2012) summarizes the death toll of some of the NCDs
related to obesity: “One in four deaths [i.e., 13 million; this author] was from heart
disease or stroke. 1.3 million deaths were due to diabetes....Blood pressure is the
biggest global risk factor for disease, followed by tobacco, alcohol, and poor diet.” - This message also mentions “a tsunami of weight-related health problems.”
- A Google search for “war on obesity” provided over 13,000 hits on January
3, 2013. - Other important sources critical of the dominant public health perspective on
obesity areGard (2011), Gardand Wright (2005), Oliver (2006), Rothblum and
Solovay (2009), andTaubes (2007, 2011). - Note how in this sentence overweight and obesity are explicitly presented as a
causeofdeath. It is more common to denote them as arisk factor associatedwith
death. - A Google search for “obesity paradox” gave over 130,000 results on
February 26, 2013. - Athttp://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes/index.html;accessed on February
26, 2013. At this page the CDC lists the most important “health consequences” of
obesity. Note again that this implies the notion of obesity as a cause of disease. - Athttp://www.bmj.com/content/327/7427/1308.5;accessed on February 26,
- Seehttp://win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm;accessed on February 26,
- Seehttp://www.foodlog.nl/artikel/overgewicht-neemt-verder-toe;accessed on
February 26, 2013. - Contrary to the notion that our genetic makeup is only adapted to recurring
famine,some research indicates that human bodies apply an array of strategies to
maintaina certain weight in order to prevent not only weight loss but also weight
gain. See for instanceBBC Horizon (2009). - Timothy Frayling, Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Exeter
thinksthat genetic factors are the main driver for obesity in today’s environment.
Twin and adoption studies show consistently that variation in BMI has a strong
genetic component, with estimated effects of up to 70%, he says. - In this case the food industry is accused of putting too much sugar in their
product. Similarly they are accused of putting too much salt and too much (of the
wrong kinds of) fat in our food.
18.Basham et al. (2007,pp. 8086) cite Nestle and others and explore the
special focus on children and the inevitable comparisons made with the tobacco
industry. - With fully intended pun LeBesco used this last connotation in the title of her
bookonRevolting Bodies(2004) .Also compare LeBesco (2011).
20.Campos (2004, pp. 99106)wroteabout a much earlier case in the United
States. In the Netherlands a similar case in 2012 caused media attention and public
134 ROEL PIETERMAN