“Despite our collective obsession with counting calories, we are now the fattest generation in history. Obesity levels in Canadian adults have increased from 3 per cent in 2003 to 18.5 per cent in 2012, according to Statistics Canada, with the greatest rate of increase seen in women. These extra pounds aren’t just about calories. A tidal wave of risk factors for obesity and metabolic problems is wreaking havoc on our physiology and contributing to the fat phenomenon,” wrote Dr. Jennifer Pearlman for the Globe and Mail on Monday. Dr. Pearlman continued, “Our evolving understanding of these risk factors is shedding light on the question of why calorie-restricted diets, regardless of regimen, don’t work, or may seem to work only temporarily but are inevitably followed by rebound weight gain. This vicious cycle of weight loss and gain is hazardous to our health. Recent research suggests that yo-yo dieting redistributes toxins from fat tissue exposing the brain to their harmful effects.” Read the full article here | Raymond Matt, CFP, CLU, TEP, CHS
With oils prices plummeting who benefits?
“A renewed plunge in oil prices is a worrying sign of weakness in the global economy that could shake governments dependent on oil revenues. Yet it is also a bonus for consumers as prices fall at the pump, giving individuals more spending money and lowering costs for many businesses. The latest slide follows OPEC’s decision to leave its production target at 30 million barrels a day. Member nations of the cartel are worried they’ll lose market share if they lower production,” the Associated Press reported on November 28, 2014 for the National Post.
The article continued, “Partly because of the shale oil boom in the U.S., the world is awash in oil at a time when demand from major economies is weak — so prices are falling. Citibank analysts wrote in a report Thursday that global supplies exceed demand by about 700,000 barrels a day now. Brent crude, an international benchmark, was at US$72.50 a barrel on Friday, down nearly 30% in the past three months and at its lowest in four years. U.S. crude oil slid 7.9% to US$67.94 a barrel on Friday and is down 37% since hitting US$107 in June”. Read the full article here | Raymond Matt, CFP, CLU, TEP, CHS
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