Courting Obesity

According to a recent United Nations publication it takes roughly 5 hectares [12.35 acres] of productive ecosystem to support the average U.S. citizen's consumption of goods and services versus less than 0.5 hectares [1.23 acres] to support consumption levels of the average citizen in the developing world. Those gluttonous yanks. But hang on. We are getting there as well and fast. Soon Indian citizens in the top quarter of the pyramid will need the same five hectares to support their consumption needs. For evidence look no further than the average family table at meal times. We eat lots more and many more things. And then struggle to work it off at gyms and spas. But that’s another story. On special occasions, the spreads are mind numbing. Pasta and cheese share table space with sarson ka saag and chettinad chicken. Obesity and attendant miseries lurk at every corner. But we are helpless. Greed and gluttony have a life of their own. Instead of grudging our food-growers the $15 billion loan waiver, we should give them a $15 billion bonus for keeping our waistlines growing.