[ensiferum]

"We still need a lot of innovation to solve problems like malaria or obesity ..."

There's really no innovation needed for the latter. Just educate people and when that fails implement better controls, i.e. sugar taxes on sodas and food. Fundamentally the goal should be get rid of refined sugars in foods, especially high fructose corn syrup.

[hguhghuff]

People become obese because of emotional issues.

[douglaswlance]

You can't over-eat spinach.

[bitxbitxbitcoin]

Popeye's relatively obese forearms would beg to differ.

[ensiferum]

I don't think that's true. Ultimately the reason is eating unhealthy food that throws the nature's built-in weight control system off balance and allows the accumulation of fat (which is actually not a problem per se, it's symptom of the underlying cause which is far more troublesome, i.e. metabolic syndrome).

People however like to blame other things and external factors. I'm X because of Y. It's time to take the pity cock out of the mouth and take responsbility for oneself.

That being said it's hard to rely on education for the average non-educated lazy person (i.e. the general masses) but instead we need to regulate the supply, i.e. what is already done with other poisons such as tobacco, drugs, alcohol. Sugar needs to be added to that list.

[thecanman]

I or others shouldn't have to pay more for sugar because of others inability to limit themselves. There's already several other "taxes" we have to pay. No one wants to add another thing on that list.

[pjc50]

If you're not overconsuming it, then it will cost you only a tiny amount overall?

[scarface74]

You’re already paying less for sugar than you “should” because of government subsidies on corn.

[ensiferum]

But as a tax payer you will pay for the enormous cost on the (public) health care system created by this epidemic of high sugar consumption. Personally I'm not sure why I should have to pay for the type II diabetes bills for the people who ruined their health with bad choices.

[Retra]

Your society taught them to how to make choices. Most people work at a job which ultimately derives income from sales and marketing folks who go out of their way to encourage people to make poor decisions. The vast majority of advertising shows a savy, intellegent, attractive, funny buyer committing to continually poor decisions.

There is very little in the world encouraging people to make good decisions.

[lnsru]

You have no idea about obesity...

[maccard]

I saw an article [0] posted on here, which made me reconsider my feelings on obesity. It's worth a read even if you don't agree with the conclusion (I still don't), it was very thought provoking

0 - https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/12/7/16587316/ba...

[sjroot]

Either bring more to the discussion or abstain from commenting. What exactly are you trying to say?

[lnsru]

It’s not about education or price. It’s a pure emotional thing. You can ban sugar and all fast food, but the people will find something to abuse. There is a need for some nation wide happiness improvement program.

[sjroot]

Perhaps it could be more than one factor?

I agree that there will always be something to abuse.