Last week we found out obesity rates have tripled in young adults. Now a new study in the British Medical Journal finds obese 18-year-olds are twice as likely to die prematurely compared to normal-weight teens. And researchers say teenage obesity has the same risk of premature death as smoking ten cigarettes a day.

So, do you think obesity should be tackled like smoking?

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Don’t those look yummy? Want to eat them ALL? Can’t help yourself? Uh-oh. Scientists in New Zealand may want to talk to you. Their new research finds carbs are as addictive as cigarettes. As addictive as cigarettes – it sounds a bit harsh, doesn’t it?

“Heavily processed carbohydrates such as cornflakes, sweets and croissants quickly raise the amount of sugar in your blood,” lead researcher Dr. Simon Thornley says in the Daily Mail. “This rush of sugar stimulates the same areas of the brain that are involved with addiction to nicotine and other drugs.”

And Thornley suggests refined foods should get the same serious treatment as cigarettes – banning TV ads, taxing them and putting health warnings on packages.

What do you think? Are carbs really as addictive as cigarettes? Should they be treated the same way? I can see the addiction – but I’m still processing the “as cigarettes” part.

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

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