Obesity Worldwide
Vocabulary
| lack | research | than ever before |
| stark | publish | journal (2) |
| lancet | one third | overweight |
| access | fuel (2) | around the world |
| top | long spell | top the table |
| blame | look after | comprehensive |
| urgent | multitask | developing world |
| party | down to | population |
| crisis | pressing | generation |
Video
Transcript
More people around the world are overweight than ever before. And not a single country is succeeding in tackling the problem.
The stark findings, published in the medical journal, The Lancet, blamed a lack of this: not enough exercise, and easy access to cheap, fatty food is fueling the problem.
The study found that 2.1 billion people around the world are now overweight — that’s a third of the world’s population.
The United States topped the table. Perhaps more surprisingly, China came second, with India third, followed by Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan and Indonesia.
Researchers say this is the most comprehensive study of its kind, and found more women in developing countries were overweight than men. That’s because they say multitasking and looking after the family, means they have less time to exercise.
The rates for men were higher in developed countries, party down to long spells in front of a computer.
The study called for urgent action, to tackle an immediate crisis. And help future generations fight what has become one of the most pressing problems of our time.
Questions
11. Only Americans have a weight problem. Only Americans get fat. True or false?
12. What are the main reasons for the rise in obesity among people? Why are many people fat?
13. Is this the BBC’s opinion? Is this the new reporter’s opinion?
14. About ten to fifteen percent of the world’s population is overweight. Is this right or wrong?
15. Only people in rich, developed, Western countries are fat, whereas citizens of less wealthy, developing nations are slim. Is this correct or incorrect?
16. “Perhaps more surprisingly, China came second, with India third.” What does this mean?
17. Do men and women differ in obesity rates? Why do they differ?
18. Does the study simply describe the situation or does it say something must be done to decrease obesity?
A. Is there an obesity or a weight issue where you live? Is obesity a problem? Approximately what percent of the population is overweight?
B. Has the situation been changing over the years?
C. I know some people who are overweight or obese. Yes or no? Why are they overweight? What are the causes of weight gain and obesity?
D. What might happen in the future?
E. What are some solutions to obesity?
F. Should the government do anything?
