However, since taxpayers foot the roughly $70 billion bill for SNAP each year, critics question whether it makes sense to support the purchase of sugary drinks, which have been shown to play a significant role in weight gain and the onset of Type 2 diabetes. “Low-income American adults now consume nearly two [sugar-sweetened beverage] servings a day, and for every one to two daily servings consumed, the lifetime risk of developing diabetes increases by 30 percent,” according to a paper published this year

Source: Should We Continue To Subsidize Sugar In The Food Stamps Program? : The Salt : NPR

The reason for the supersize difference in weight between British and French children is simple: the French are better parents. They are stricter and more mature. They don’t see their children as their friends; they are their offspring, to be educated, disciplined and controlled. The French aren’t afraid to say non.

Source: Why French kids don’t get fat – and British ones do | The Spectator

Fat Thanks to Eskinder K. for the tip!

Researchers are yet to fully understand why people with conditions such as diabetes and obesity are more likely to be hospitalised or die from flu but they think these conditions could alter the body’s immune response, reducing the ability to fight the virus.

“There’s been an incredible rate of increase of diabetes and obesity even in my lifetime,” said Dr Short. “This has significant implications on infectious diseases and the spread of infectious disease.”

Source: Rise of obesity and diabetes could exacerbate future flu pandemics