Reply #117: I wonder how this relates to the genetics issue.

[Realityhack]

The stats I have seen indicate the same... we are an overweight population growing more so, largely based on poor diet and lack of exercise.
AFAIK a LOT of countries have far fewer problems with obesity. If that is true I find the 70% genetic figure questionable. I don't think we have that much of a different make up than the various countries we come from. I think culture plays a bigger role than we want to admit.
For example I am overweight, but I drive in to work. My Sweedish co-worker bikes to work every day (from about the same distance). My choice, probably partly based on my culture, not to. Sure I am genetically different and that could be a cause... but I wonder if it 70% of the difference when we talk about other countries and the degree to which we are over weight (ie not just a little over).

Just thinking out loud. I know how hard it is to loose weight. I just wonder how much is conditioned behavior.