Why does the National Obesity Forum give such poor advice? - Is it connected with the fact that the main sponsors of its website are drug companies?

"Sinister, isn't it? - Prescription drugs are a major cause of obesity, especially morbid obesity. - You're unlikely to learn that from anyone working for the NOF...

Here's what it said on their website on 23 Dec 2008 (but it seems to have disappeared since then! - I wonder if they have been visiting my website...(o:) about what causes child obesity:

"Cause of child obesity
When an individual is in energy balance (energy intake = energy expenditure) body weight remains constant. However an increase/decrease on either side of the equation can result in changes in body weight. Obesity occurs as a result of a long term positive energy balance, that is, energy intake has consistently exceeded energy expenditure. It is however important to remember that the causes of this energy imbalance can result from a multitude of genetic, biological, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors that affect both sides of the energy balance equation and the interrelationships among these factors."
(written by Siobhan Ahearne-Smith, and dated 18th March 2008)

It can, as I write, be viewed as part of this page http://www.childgrowthfoundation.org/pdf_files/primary_prevention_of_obesity.pdf - Better catch it while you can, in case it gets removed or modified...

The cause of obesity in children, as in adults, is fluid retention/salt sensitivity, and the way to reduce obesity is to reduce intake of salt and salty food. If children are protected from eating salty food from when they are babies they will not become overweight. They should also be protected from dieting (another major cause of weight gain because it increases fluid retention). They do not need to restrict fat intake or energy intake. They do not need to step up energy expenditure (i.e. take more exercise). Research shows that exercise has no effect on child obesity.

See advice for pregnant mothers

Children and Obesity

And see Sodium in foods

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

National Obesity Forum Website sponsored by educational grants from
Abbott Laboratories
Canderel
Roche
Sanofi-Aventis Ltd.
MeatandHealth.com

and their Conference sponsors:
Abbott
Roche
Sanofi-aventis UK
GlaxoSmithKilne
MEND
National Association of British and Irish Millers (NABIM)
Slimfast
Tanita
The Improvement Foundation