Wowsa:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...y.0&refer=home

Wow - talk about motivation!

Also, I knew the U.S. had a problem, but didn't know 2/3 of Americans over age 20 are overweight. I'm working to fall below that category this year.

I like the way they blame it on Western food. Really, is there anything that isn't our fault? Why not blame it on standard 90-100 hour work weeks in Japan that leave no time for family or exercise? Probably a lot more accurate.

Once again, every time the 2/3 of Americans are overweight statistic comes up, I feel the need to mention that several years ago they changed the criteria, thus moving a lot of people who had been normal into the overweight category. The huge jump in overweight and obese Americans in the last 20 years is at least partly due to the change in criteria and not to an actual change in average weight.

I do think Western food is largely at fault for rising obesity rates around the world. If you look at the statistics, obesity is typically uncommon in European and Asian countries (or at least at stable levels) until the McDonald's and KFC's move in. When other cultures adopt the high-fat, high-calorie American diet in lieu of their traditional diets, obesity skyrockets. Japanese people don't get fat eating fish, vegetables and rice. They get fat when they start eating like Americans do.

Of course, people ultimately make their own choices of what they eat. Nobody is forced to eat fast food. But when fried foods and sugary sweets become normalized, people get fatter. I think it's great that other countries are discouraging their people from adopting Western eating habits.

What is really disturbing to me is the potential for discrimination. I think it is great that the govt is taking it so seriously but taxing companys based on employees with expanded waistlines seems ridiculous.