Subject: cause of clinical obesity

HI,

We are all hearing about the increased rates of clinical obesity in america.
Is this due to the increased amounts of growth hormones used in breeding cattle.
In Europe (where i'm from) we have banned these imports from the US, but Korea 
(where i'm currently living) and Japan are still importing this produce from 
the US. I am told by my korean friends that the korean population is generally 
getting taller.
Has any research looked into the relationship between importing to Asia and 
increased weight / height of adults over the time period.

I seem to remember reading that the amount of growth hormone is not significant 
enough to have any effect on humans, could this be propaganda from the "powers 
that be", what other factors do you think could be having an affect on the 
height/size of peoples around the world.
Finally; why has Europe banned the import of american beef.

Thanks for your time
Jason Bloomfield

Re: cause of clinical obesity