"They do say to always shop with a pre-prepared shopping list and buy nothing else unless you really decide you need it.
Once you stop the impulse purchases you are already ahead of the game..."
absolutely good advice.
What my point is though is that this thread (abdominal obesity) - is about a societal problem -- not and individual problem.
Now, if we all took lists to the shop and stuck to them - we would more than likely have a small problem rather than a big problem ------------
but, we don't.
Look at people shopping ------------ there are people with lists - but, they are in the minority.
Then look at the people with lists and what they 'actually' buy --------- and it is almost for sure a hell of a lot more than is on the list.
Over all of that, most people don't have a list at all.
We must think about this stuff at sociological levels - not individual levels. It is fine for one of us or a few of us to say we have choice -------------- the mere discussion indicates a bit of smarts --------- most aren't that smart - and, very very few are wise to many of the tricks and pressure --------------- NONE are wise to them all.
I reckon I live in a cave ----------- no TV, usually forget the bloody shopping bags - so I only buy what I can carry in my hands --------- but, still, one cannot live in this society and not be subject to the pressure that is all around us.
And, I do not believe humans have changed in tens of thousands of years -- we desire all the same things now as we desired 100,000 years ago -------- it just comes in different forms and from different sources.
And, I do NOT believe you can blame individuals ------------------ lazy?? what a dumb word ------------ who would rather walk a long distance than drive in a comfortable car?
Clearly only someone who either really loved walking AND had the time or some green nut ------ in that case I wouldn't call humans lazy -------- I would call them efficient and value driven.
It is naive to call people lazy with their foods when an entire war is raged 24/7 on them by powerful food interests.
The entire planet works their little bums off to sell people Maccas, processed foods and god knows what else - whilst continually re-educating them into believing whatever products they sell are good for them - and starting as babies.
And, even if it is per chance because people are lazy or like the taste of crap or whatever -----------
we STILL have the problem.
If there is a solution to this - it certainly is not telling people that they need to be responsible -- it might help a little to tell them how to be responsible ------------- but, that information will more than likely be lost in the wash of BILLIONS of bucks that are telling them different.
If there is a fix for this - it is at society level --------------- and the vested interests in our society have ZERO interest in educating people about the facts - zero.
have a great day all
Pinto